Holy Trinity Watch !!! Vacheron Constantin 2020 cal K1121

In this captivating video, we take a deep dive into the meticulous restoration of a rare Vacheron Constantin timepiece from 2020, featuring the renowned Calibre 1121 movement. As part of the prestigious "Holy Trinity" of watchmaking (alongside Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet), Vacheron Constantin is known for its masterful craftsmanship, and the Calibre 1121 exemplifies this legacy.
The Calibre 1121 is virtually identical to Audemars Piguet's legendary Calibre 2121, one of the thinnest automatic movements ever made, prized for its precision and elegance. You'll witness every intricate step of the restoration process, from the careful disassembly of the tiny components to the delicate cleaning, polishing, and reassembly. The video showcases the unique challenges in working with such a complex and historic movement, emphasizing the dedication required to restore it to its original glory.
Whether you're a horology enthusiast, a collector, or simply curious about fine watchmaking, this video offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a true masterpiece. Discover how traditional watchmaking skills meet modern restoration techniques to breathe new life into this iconic Vacheron Constantin watch.
FWC Website: FWC Website: french-watch-c...
Follow me on Patreon: / frenchwatchcollector
Please Subscribe: / frenchwatchcollector
Instagram: / frenchwatchcollector12
Horotec tools: horotec-custom...
Horotec Facebook group: / 690739231946682
Tool Shop: www.ebay.com/s...
#vacheronconstantin #restoration #audemarspiguet
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are Amazon affiliate links to some of the equipment used for these videos and purchasing anything through them helps support the channel.
OIL:
Moebius 9104: amzn.to/3xl24cr
Moebius 9010: amzn.to/3dd0DGe
Moebius 9501: amzn.to/3DjtzqJ
Moebius 8200: amzn.to/3Bb64xj
Moebius 9415: amzn.to/3qD3B9S
TOOLS:
Rubber ball: amzn.to/3d8yRL5
Loupe: amzn.to/3FB5bA9
Movement holder: amzn.to/3W9Yexk
Mat: amzn.to/3d9Mp8T
Tweezer: amzn.to/3j8GDqK
Dust Blower: amzn.to/3BFqFLO
Case Cushion: amzn.to/3PBuHdk
Spring Bar Tool: amzn.to/3FBcVlI
Oiler : amzn.to/3L8PdQl
Hand setting tool: amzn.to/3FZbezT
Case back opener: amzn.to/3W5Qnki
Screwdriver set: amzn.to/3jbYWeR
Barrel closing tool: amzn.to/3WnXNz8
Hand remover: amzn.to/3PxxhRF
Rodico: amzn.to/3BcgLj6
Timegrapher: amzn.to/3L9G9L4

[@boydsargeant7496]

It’s lovely on the inside!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

☺️

[@jasongennero2080]

So many jewels. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movement with that many jewels or roller jewels or screws for the barrel arbor

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@jasongennero2080 yes it is a lot of jewels. The screws for the barrel is to thinner this part of the caliber

[@orvillefindley8117]

That is a lovely watch 👍

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@BradyBegeman]

That looks like it was a joy to work on. How beautiful.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It was indeed

[@ygrbooks]

What a beautiful video of a wonderfully decorated and running Jaeger-LeCoultre movement: Thank you so much for sharing this 👍👌👏❤! If I were to own this watch, a sapphire glass bottom would be most welcome as this incredible craftsmanship should not be hidden.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you so much. Would love to see the calibre too but it will change the history from this watch

[@ygrbooks]

@@FrenchWatchCollector I would never touch the original casebook, but have a jeweler make an extra one ...

[@slammermx]

Such a beautiful movement and only a watchmaker gets to see it.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It is a shame but yes it is beautiful

[@heinrethasangerhaus4242]

The decoration is on another level! Nice service, enjoyed it very much.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you

[@readrepairs]

Love it. Thank you for sharing

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@readrepairs my pleasure 😇

[@neilhaas]

Very nice lovely watch i like it.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Glad you like it ☺️

[@BoboacaDoxaras]

that was incredible. what a beautiful watch and what great work you did on it!AMZWATCH

[@dr.kevinmoore8889]

Very cool

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you

[@eloygagogonzalez7330]

For me the best brand.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Love it too

[@garrycornel2371]

Thanks!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you so much

[@pafeso1659]

La finition n'est vraiment pas comparable aux autres. C'est sérieusement impeccable! Maintenant il ne reste qu'à la comparer à une VC moderne 😅🤣

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

La finition est top. Je n’ai pas de moderne malheureusement 🤣

[@hectorcortez3888]

Love your channel, anyway weres the seconds hand.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you. The watch only has two hands and not three with a second hand

[@Nachovalenti899]

Great service and I enjoyed your video. By the way, what kind of crystal has this watch? Hesalite, mineral or sapphire crystal? Many thanks.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It is mineral

[@stevemoreno6241]

Was this calibre made by VC or was it made by JLC and VC did some final finishing?

[@douro20]

It was once the case that JLC provided an ebauche but VC actually makes this movement entirely in house- more than 90 percent of its parts are made in house.

[@stevemoreno6241]

​@douro20 I appreciate the in-depth explanation later in the video.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

The design was done by JLC and the production was on house. This calibre was a very common calibre at Vacheron so it was done in house

[@vvv2975]

Looks like it has a Genève seal engraved on the movement?

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@vvv2975 yes it is

[@5850terry]

Was this movement made for VC by LeCoultre?

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It was designed by LeCoultre but made by VC

[@TheTimekeepersGuide]

Calibre 920 used by Vacheron, AP and Patek

[@sailgears]

What type of red oil did you use?

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It is some 9104

[@matthewwalker2100]

Ladies, gentlemen: Quiz time! Our host wears one watch during dismantle: another two during assembly. What are they? Best guesses accepted! Monsieur FWC is asked to let us know the answers next week. I haven’t a clue. I think the first resembles a brick. So thick, while working on something so thin!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

For sure it is thicker than the vacheron 🤣

[@matthewwalker2100]

@@FrenchWatchCollector Um; my best guess about the first watch . . . it's a "Tool Watch" and . .um. . . .a Tudor Black Bay because that's 15mm (more than half an inch) thick! I suppose you could use it as a hammer. Just the right weight; 175 grams!

[@matthewwalker2100]

@@FrenchWatchCollector The second watch is (according to Google artificial intelligence); . . . . . . . . Well; yes; I mean no; I know nothing about watches (except using one) . . . but it's fun to learn! Um, maybe a blue Grand Seiko AUTOMATIC without the date. Perhaps, maybe.

[@matthewwalker2100]

@@FrenchWatchCollector Is the third a Movado Datron HS 360 Zenith El Primero? Difficult to see when they're all upside down. 🙃 . . . . I agree to wait for the answers . . . . . .

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@matthewwalker2100 wrong 🤣

[@jasongennero2080]

What watch are you wearing in this video?

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@jasongennero2080 Tudor black bay pro

[@NoosaHeads]

As good as this is, I think the internals of a Patek Philippe look even better. However, when you compare the beautiful workmanship of the Vacheron with that of a Rolex, there's no comparison.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Not sure that there is a big difference between a Patek and a Vacheron. For sure there is a difference with Rolex but it is not the same market

[@da___man]

Are you sure it is only a 4 year old watch? It has watchmakers marks in it which has been done for a long time. Also, a watch from a quality manufacturer such as Vacheron should be running better after just 4 years. The 2020C mark inside the case back is likely a reference number and not the year of manufacture.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

The 2020Q is the reference of the watch and not the year. This watch is much older than 2020

[@ralphferrara5152]

There looks like a lot of dirt or lint in the spring barrel.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

The barrel is pre greased from the factory when new. From up close it looks like it is dirty but it is the grease around

[@ralphferrara5152]

@@FrenchWatchCollector thanks for the reply. I love your videos. Keep them coming.👍😁

[@shannon12ization]

Great watch but you make me nervous working on dials with brass tweezers.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I use carbon tip tweezers for the dial

[@gang208]

I am a little surprised to see a couple of wire springs (5:54) in this watch. I am under the impression that to have a "Poinçon de Genève", a watch cannot have wire springs.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

It is what is thought too but there is a Poinçon de Genève so it might have changed

[@BradyBegeman]

Is it possible they are replacements? Seems extremely unlikely, but who knows.

[@da___man]

Funny, I am just finishing up on a cheap Gruen from the 70s that uses a FE 140-2a (france ebauche). It has a similar calendar mechanism. It simply involves a day and date jumper under the calendar guard/plate. The two springs, one for each jumper, are just passed through a cutout in the plate. Mine had no instructions, unlike the VC. You don't want to know how long it took to figure it out. However, the end result is a very simple but thin calendar mechanism. In my case it was done to save money. I assume, in the VC, the wire springs are there to make the movement as thin as possible. Overall, a very elegant way to achieve the needed results.

[@RabbitWatchShop]

A lot of vintage models such as this the Swiss legacy brands manufactured are so ugly and boring. This definitely doesn’t come from the “Holy Trinity” era.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@mapled3135]

Are you saying that this caliber is ugly and boring?

[@RabbitWatchShop]

@@mapled3135 as opposed to replying to me, post your own comments and respect my will to post a subjective opinion. Now run along and do the same. Toodles

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@mapled3135 Not for me but some people have different taste and especially knowledge

[@mapled3135]

@@RabbitWatchShop yep. Exactly what I thought. Thanks for the speedy response.

[@kirstinkornblume3547]

Lovely movement in an absolute ugly case …

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

@@kirstinkornblume3547 it was the fashion in the 70’s for this type of case

[@RedWolfRedWolfRedWolf]

First 😅

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

😅

[@chrisadams9346]

what a boring dial and hands

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

That is your taste