1933 Vacheron & Constantin 18K Rose Gold Dress Watch – Original Dial, Professionally Serviced

This rare 1933 Vacheron & Constantin wristwatch is a masterclass in early 20th-century Swiss horology. Produced by the world’s oldest continuously operating watchmaker, the timepiece exemplifies the interwar period’s most refined principles: mechanical excellence, material distinction, and quiet elegance. Crafted in 18K rose gold with an original untouched dial, dual-metal case construction, and Geneva-finished manual movement, it represents a high point of pre-WWII craftsmanship—preserved in extraordinary condition.

📚 Historical Significance

By the early 1930s, Vacheron & Constantin had firmly established itself as the choice of discerning elites, producing low-volume, high-finish watches that prioritized precision and restraint. This watch, manufactured in 1933, embodies Vacheron signature aesthetic—elegant, understated, and mechanically exacting. Few examples survive with original dials and unpolished rose gold cases, making this piece not only a remarkable survivor but also a highly collectible investment.

🧱 Case

The case is crafted from solid 18K rose gold, measuring 35mm in diameter (excluding crown) and 43mm lug to lug with 18mm lug width—generous and highly wearable for its period. Its design features a polished stepped bezel and straight lugs that emphasize the geometric purity of 1930s dress watches. Unique to this example is its dual-gold construction: a yellow gold inner bezel ring is visible beneath the rose gold case bezel, designed to stabilize the crystal and dial while adding subtle visual contrast; likewise, the movement is seated within a yellow gold movement ring, ensuring precise alignment and structural integrity. The snap-fit case back is hallmarked: “VACHERON & CONSTANTIN / 18K / 0.750 / 136”, confirming authenticity and gold purity. The case has experienced minimal wear and has never been polished, preserving its original lines and proportions.

🎯 Dial

The original, unrestored matte cream dial is in exceptional condition, reflecting nearly a century of careful preservation. It features applied 14K gold Arabic numerals, well-spaced and polished, paired with a recessed sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock, complete with a fine railroad-style scale. The original gold stick hands remain sharp and clean, and the dial is signed “VACHERON & CONSTANTIN / GENÈVE” beneath 12 o’clock and “SWISS” below the sub-seconds—both inscriptions crisp and untouched. The dial is protected by its original domed mineral glass crystal, which remains free of major blemishes.

⚙️ Movement

The watch is powered by a high-grade manual-wind Vacheron & Constantin movement, serial number 419848, which dates its manufacture to 1933 based on factory production records. This 17-jewel caliber features a straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, and a Breguet overcoil hairspring, all hallmarks of precision Genevan watchmaking from the interwar period. Finely finished with rhodium-plated bridges, Côtes de Genève striping, polished chamfers, and heat-blued screws, the movement is securely housed in its original yellow gold movement ring, a design element used to ensure proper alignment and mechanical stability within the rose gold case. The movement has been professionally disassembled, cleaned, oiled, and timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system, and is running within chronometric standards.

🪢 Strap

Fitted with a new, classic black leather strap, 18mm wide, with a matching-tone anti-allergic buckle. The minimalist profile and subdued sheen pair perfectly with the elegant mid-century case proportions.

💡 Why You Should Purchase This Watch

This 1933 Vacheron & Constantin is an exceptional example of interwar Swiss luxury—mechanically significant, historically relevant, and visually timeless. Its untouched dial, dual-gold case construction, and 1933 Geneva movement set it apart from the vast majority of vintage dress watches on the market. For collectors and aesthetes alike, it offers a rare opportunity to own an original, high-integrity timepiece from one of the greatest names in horology.

🔍 Finer Details

Manufacturer: Vacheron & Constantin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Serial no. (movement): 419848
Year built: 1933
Model/Ref: 136
Case material: 18K solid rose gold
Case features: Yellow gold inner bezel & yellow gold movement holder
Case markings (inside): VACHERON & CONSTANTIN / 18K / 0.750 / 136
Case condition: Excellent, very light use, never polished
Case size: 35mm (excluding crown), 43mm lug-to-lug, 18mm lug width
Dial: Original matte cream with applied 14K Arabic numerals
Hands: Original 14K gold stick hands
Movement type: Manual-wind, 17-jewel, straight-line lever escapement
Band: New black leather strap with matching buckle
Crystal type: Original domed mineral glass
Serviced: Yes, freshly cleaned and oiled
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system


📏 Vintage watches tend to be smaller. Please be sure that you are familiar with the sizes of vintage timepieces and check the measurements given.


🎁 Vintage Watches make great gifts for occasions such as Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays and Christmas. These vintage models are becoming much sought after and very rare so it's not something you see in everyday life making it something very special and unusual to give and receive. 🎁.