Two years after Rolex launched its Certified Pre-Owned program, Vacheron Constantin, too, has decided to invest in guaranteeing the authenticity of its second-wrist watches in order to provide its customers with a product that is coeval in all its parts and meets the brand’s quality standards.

Let’s now go on to find out the details of this certified pre-owned sales program by the maison distinguished by the Maltese cross.

The market for the second wrist

In recent years we are witnessing a reversal on the part of the luxury watch market, in which used watches are more attractive than new. The constant growth in demand for new watches, produced, however, always in the same quantities by the maisons so that quality cannot suffer, have meant that buying a watch from the list (obviously referring to the top and most in-demand models) is increasingly complicated and possible only for the lucky few.

This can also be attributed to the pandemic period, in which slowing supply chains and limited production had put a strain on the industry, thus failing to meet the ever-increasing demand from the market. All these aspects resulted in collectors directing their attention to the vintage market, increasingly buying second-wrist timepieces.

A problem arises, however, as buying used watches is not as safe as at list, where the guarantee of authenticity of all components is assured. Not to mention the properties of the item, such as water resistance, which are lost if the watch has not been thoroughly serviced or inspected over the years. For these reasons in the last period, many maisons, including Vacheron Constantin today, have implemented a program to sell their used but thoroughly serviced, inspected and, most importantly, certified watches.

The CPO of Vacheron Constantin

As anticipated, Vacheron Constantin has also joined the big brands that have joined this program over the years, first of all Richard Mille in 2015 and then Rolex in 2022. The goal of the Maisons that join the Certified Pre-Owned program is to guarantee the highest quality for second-wrist watches, ensuring that every part meets the manufacturer’s parameters and that they will then be resold by the brand’s own office dealers.

With the CPO program, used watches are serviced and inspected to reflect the highest standards of quality and accuracy. This system allows the client to obtain documents through which the authenticity of the item in every component is preserved, first and foremost a letter certifying all the workmanship and checks performed on it.

Each watch comes with a digital passport that, thanks to blockchain technology, allows the customer to access detailed information such as ownership history and all maintenance performed over the years. To further ensure the functionality of the watch, an international warranty of at least two years is offered, which covers the replacement of any defective components free of charge.

The watch intended for the end customer is presented in an elegant case, equipped with a warranty seal certifying its sale through the CPO program.

Currently, Vacheron Constantin watches will be sold in partnership with Watchfinder, a major retailer in the industry, and then be brought to market by other partners in the future.

Vacheron Constantin’s CPO program longevity goal.

The CPO program is actually a continuation of an ideal that perpetuates at Vacheron Constantin, namely that of longevity as a value. Indeed, the goal is to ensure that its watches can be handed down and thus be eternal objects, bringing value to succeeding generations.

Vacheron Constantin allows its clients to restore any watch in their possession, even those dating back to 1755, the year the Maison was founded, thanks to a historical archive and the use of machines of the period by master watchmakers. A feature that makes the longest-running watch company in history truly unique, showing its care and attention to the customer in every aspect.

In terms of technology, Vacheron Constantin is also very cutting edge. In fact, blockchain technology was introduced in 2019 to provide the buyer with a product that meets all quality standards, offering all the necessary information that only he or she can access. In addition, again in collaboration with Watchfinder, it is possible to trade-in one’s watch, with the sum of which one can buy a new one.

Conclusions

By joining the CPO program, Vacheron Constantin demonstrates its commitment to offering customers not only an authentic and intact product, but also an opportunity to own a piece of history, an object destined to be passed down from generation to generation, where time is relative and what really matters is the passion of owning a Vacheron Constantin.

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