Vacheron Constantin, founded in Geneva in 1755, is the world's oldest continuously operating watchmaker. The brand's 260+ years of unbroken production is a record in horology. Vacheron specializes in haute horlogerie with exceptional movement finishing — their Reference 57260, with 57 complications, is the most complicated mechanical watch ever made.
Available below retail on the secondary market at 11% discount, this model offers exceptional value for buyers willing to purchase pre-owned. This pricing makes it one of the better value propositions in the dress watch category.
Our WVS Value Score of 70/100 places this in the upper range of luxury watches. The score reflects a solid balance between value retention, brand recognition, specification quality, and market availability.
The estimated annual cost of ownership is $2220 per year, accounting for depreciation, servicing, and insurance. While this is higher than some alternatives, it should be weighed against the wearing pleasure and prestige the watch provides daily.
Understanding the true cost of owning a luxury watch requires looking beyond the purchase price. Our cost-of-ownership model calculates the annual net expense of keeping the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle 82172/000R-9382 on your wrist, factoring in three key components.
First, depreciation: based on historical pricing data for this reference and similar Vacheron Constantin models, we estimate annual value change at 6%. This depreciation rate is typical for this price segment and brand positioning. Second, servicing: Vacheron Constantin recommends periodic maintenance to ensure accuracy and water resistance. We amortize the estimated service cost across the recommended interval, arriving at $120 per year. Third, insurance: at approximately 1.5% of market value, annual insurance costs $420 to protect against theft, loss, or accidental damage.
Combining these factors yields a net annual cost of $2220. That's roughly $6.08 per day — comparable to a daily lunch expense.
Estimated market price trend based on aggregated public listing data. Prices reflect average asking prices for complete sets in excellent condition. Updated monthly.
Our proprietary score rates every luxury watch on a 0-100 scale across five dimensions. Scores above 85 indicate exceptional value retention and market positioning. The formula is transparent and weight-based.
When considering the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle 82172/000R-9382, it helps to understand how it compares to alternatives in the dress watch category. The most affordable alternative is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual at $8,250 — saving you approximately 71% compared to the 82172/000R-9382. However, the 82172/000R-9382 justifies its premium through stronger brand recognition and resale performance. The highest-scoring alternative is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual with a Value Score of 91/100, slightly above the 82172/000R-9382's 70/100. The comparison table below provides a detailed side-by-side analysis of all key metrics.
| Watch | Market Price | Size | WR | Own/Yr | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle 82172/000R-9382 | $24,000–$32,000 | 41mm | 30m | $2220/yr | 70 |
| Rolex Oyster Perpetual 124300 | $7,500–$13,000 | 41mm | 100m | $101/yr | 91 |
| Rolex Datejust 126300 | $9,000–$13,000 | 41mm | 100m | $102/yr | 89 |
| Rolex Datejust 126334 | $11,000–$16,000 | 41mm | 100m | $107/yr | 86 |
| Rolex Oyster Perpetual 126000 | $6,500–$10,000 | 41mm | 100m | $97/yr | 91 |
| Rolex Datejust 126331 | $14,000–$19,000 | 41mm | 100m | $658/yr | 81 |
Dress watches prioritize elegance and slim profiles over technical specifications. Designed to slip under a shirt cuff, they typically feature minimal dials, thin cases, and leather straps. For the collector, a dress watch represents the art of restraint — where value lies in finishing quality rather than feature count.
Key metrics for dress watches are case thickness (ideally under 10mm), movement finishing visible through a display caseback, dial quality, and strap/buckle craftsmanship. Water resistance is typically lower (30-50m) since these watches aren't designed for sport use.
Dress watches are ideal for business formal, black tie, and occasions where subtlety is valued. They may feel under-dressed with casual wear. Many collectors own a dress watch alongside a sport watch to cover all social contexts.
Vacheron Constantin watches are available through brand boutiques and select authorized dealers. The Overseas collection, the brand's sport-luxury offering, has gained significant collector interest and may require waitlist patience for popular references. Patrimony and Traditionnelle models are generally available.
All Vacheron Constantin watches bear the Hallmark of Geneva (Poinçon de Genève), one of the highest standards of Swiss watchmaking excellence. This certification guarantees movement finishing, accuracy, and water resistance standards that exceed standard Swiss requirements. The in-house movements feature some of the finest hand-finishing in the industry.
Service intervals are every 5-8 years with costs of $1,500-$3,000 for standard complications. Vacheron offers a lifetime service commitment and maintains the ability to service virtually any watch from their 260+ year history — a remarkable testament to their horological archives.
Vacheron Constantin watches have historically been undervalued relative to Patek Philippe, but recent years have seen significant appreciation, particularly for the Overseas line. Patrimony and Traditionnelle models trade below retail but represent extraordinary value for haute horlogerie-grade finishing.
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| Ref | Variant | Retail | Score | Own/Yr | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82172/000R-9382 | Rose Gold/Silver ◂ | $31,500 | 70 | $2220/yr | $24,000–$32,000 |
Value Score 70/100 · $2220/year to own · 94% retention