The challenge of making movements thinner brought Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin together in a joint venture. And in 1953 they put together the world’s thinnest watch movement. AP named it: calibre 2003, JLC calibre 803 and Vacheron Constantin 1003/1. As I have only worked on the VC thats the one I’m reviewing. From what I could tell Vacheron Constantin launched their version around 1955.
An unusual feature is the barrel is suspended from the barrel bridge.
Family/generations:
1003/1
1003/2 (shock protection)
Vacheron Constantin 1003/1
- Made from aprox 1955-1990
- Made in Switzerland
- Power reserve around: 31h
- 17-19 Jewels
- 18000 B/A
- Lift angle 53
- DM 20.8mm
- H 1.6mm
Gear train bridges has a very high quality Cote’d’Geneve decoration with beveled edges. The screws have an excellent finish. Ratchet and crown wheel are nicely decorated.
Top surface finish on bridges: 10 Points
Surface finish on screws: 10 Points
Surface finish on ratchet and crown wheel: 8 Points
Movement Jeweling: 7 Points
Movement design innovation (1955): 8 points
The Vacheron Constantin base plate is very nice; with high quality perlage decoration. Very nice setting and winding mechanism. Fair gear train finish.
Base plate finish: 9 Points
Setting and winding mechanism: 10 Points
Gear-train finish: 10 Points
Movement durability: 7 Points
Balance stud regulator and chock protection in the 1003/2
+6 bonus points.
The beautifully made click spring is worth: 2 Bonus points.
The Vacheron Constantin has decent accuracy.
Accuracy: 8 points + 2 points on later model.
Fairly poor reserve of 31 hours is good.
Power reserve: 5 Points
Vacheron Consantin points summary:
Surface finish on bridges and top side of base plate: 10
Surface finish screws: 10
Surface finish on ratchet and ratchet wheel: 8
Movement Jewelling: 7
Movement innovative design for ca 1955: 8
Base plate finish: 9
Setting and winding mechanism: 10
Gear-train finish: 10
Movement durability: 7
Total bonus points: 2-5*
Accuracy: 8-10
Power reserve: 5
Grand total: 94-101
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