One of our favorite things to do here at HODINKEE is compare the old with the new. Because, quite simply, mechanical watches are nothing without the past and so many greats of today have arisen from designs that in some cases were ahead of their time, such as the two replica watches you see here.
Arguably the most lauded time-only watch from fake Vacheron Constantin in the modern era is the Historiques American 1921, a gorgeous driver’s watch built in with a rotated dial, in order to make viewing of the time easier with a hand on the wheel. The design caused quite a stir when it re-launched a few years back and it is the VC to own according to many. In the past, we’ve explained to you that this particular style of watch was actually introduced in 1919, with the dial first aligned to the left, and later, in 1921, the dial was switched to the right side.
Today, we are happy to inform you that in Sotheby’s upcoming Hong Kong sale, both the modern Les Historiques 1921 will be offered, alongside an original Vacheron driver’s watch, from 1919, with the original dial! To see these two watches offered next to each other is really quite special, and offers a VC collector a one-stop-shop to own two enormously cool watches. But, thankfully Sotheby’s hasn’t grouped them together as one lot, instead offering them in consecutive lots, allowing a buyer to purchase one and not the other. We should point out that the vintage piece happens to be quite rare – one of only twelve believed to exist.
Both watches have an estimate of around $15,000-$20,000, and the sale will take place on October 8th in Hong Kong. For replica watches more details on the Vacheron Les Historiques American 1921 click here, and for more details on the original 1919 Vacheron driver’s watch that inspired it, click here.
