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Vacheron Constantin Carree Historique (Ref. 91030) 18K YG, 2000 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Vacheron Constantin Carree Historique (Ref. 91030) 18K YG, 2000

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Vacheron Constantin (maker)
Date
2000
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
VCCH91030
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (VCCH91030)
Catalogue title (original)
2000 Vacheron Constantin Carree Historique (Ref. 91030) 18K YG W/ Box & Booklet (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number VCCH91030), this is a wristwatch by Vacheron Constantin, made in Switzerland, dated 2000. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Vacheron Constantin has never contained itself to being a single type of watchmaker. Since its creation in 1755, the Swiss watchmaking house has set out to push the horological boundaries. Whether it's a simple dress watch or delving into the complexities of watchmaking, Vacheron Constantin never compromises tasteful design. In the year 2000, the brand set out to reconstruct a beloved watch from their 1936 catalog, and the ref. 91030 was born. Made in only 600 pieces the Carree Historique might just be the perfect blend of a dress watch and a talking point. Stock # VCCH91030 Brand Vacheron Constantin Style Carree Historique Model 91030 Serial 72XXXX Size Men's Material 18k Yellow Gold Dial Champagne Millimeters 37.5 Strap 2pc Vacheron Constantin Black Alligator Strap W/ 18K YG Deployant Buckle CASE & BRACELET The watch features a gorgeous and totally unique 37.5 millimeter 18K yellow gold case with a large Maltese Cross signed crown and a see-through sapphire case back. The most striking design element is easily the oversize block lugs extending out from each corner. Aggressive and oversized, they center the watch while also creating a totally unique wearing experience. The Carree Historique comes wearing its 2pc Vacheron signed black alligator strap and 18K yellow gold deployant buckle. DIAL & HANDS The dial is classic and stunning. It features a mix of applied gold stick and roman numeral markers, with matching broad sword hands. The dial is a gorgeous cream color with cut-out relief sections around the hour markers and includes a square seconds subregister. ACCESSORIES The watch comes complete with its original inner and outer boxes, and guarantee booklet. The watch is keeping time previous service history is unknown.

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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