Short answer
A genuine Vacheron Constantin Patrimony self-winding is a 40 mm solid gold watch with an in-house automatic caliber, a Geneva Seal stamp on the movement, and a US retail price above $28,000. Replicas sell for $200 to $1,500. Replicas copy the case shape and the dial layout. They do not carry a caliber 2450 Q6, solid gold, or Swiss hallmarks.
What the genuine watch is
Patrimony self-winding references in 40 mm start with 85180. Examples: 85180/000G-9230 in white gold, 85180/000R-9248 in pink gold. Case diameter is 40 mm. Case thickness is listed near 8.6 mm. Water resistance is 30 m. The dial is silvered opaline with applied gold baton markers, faceted baton hands, center seconds, and a date window at 3 o'clock.
The movement is caliber 2450 Q6. It is automatic, with 27 jewels, 194 components, 28,800 vibrations per hour, and a power reserve near 40 hours. The rotor is 22K gold. The movement holds the Poincon de Geneve, the Geneva Seal.
Movement checks
Open the caseback. The 2450 Q6 shows Geneva stripes, circular graining, anglaged bridge edges, and a polished gold rotor with the Maltese cross. The Geneva Seal stamp sits on a bridge. Replica movements come from Miyota, Seagull, or ETA clones. Rotor decoration on those movements is printed or brushed. The finish under a loupe is uneven.
Case and metal
Density of 18K gold is about 15.5 g/cm3. Density of 316L steel is about 7.9 g/cm3. A solid gold case of a given size weighs near double a gold-plated steel case of the same size. Replicas use plated 316L steel. Genuine casebacks carry Swiss precious-metal hallmarks and fineness stamps. Plated cases carry none.
Dial and hands
Check print weight under a 10x loupe. Look at the gap between VACHERON CONSTANTIN and GENEVE. Look at the date window cut and the date font. Genuine baton hands have facets on all four sides. Replica hands show flat edges and a dull polish. Replica date fonts run thick and land off-center in the window.
Numbers and records
Each genuine watch has a case number and a movement number. Both appear in Vacheron Constantin records. The company issues an Extract from the Archives for watches held in its files. There is no public online serial checker. A replica has no record, and its two numbers often do not match each other.
Price and law
US retail for a 40 mm Patrimony self-winding in gold sits in the $28,000 to $34,000 band. Secondary market prices for the same references run near $18,000 to $25,000. Replica listings show $200 to $1,500. Import of counterfeit goods into the US is illegal under 19 U.S.C. 1526. Trafficking carries penalties under 18 U.S.C. 2320. Customs can seize and destroy shipments.
Checks in order
- Caseback: movement finish, Geneva Seal stamp, rotor metal.
- Weight: compare against a known steel watch of the same case size.
- Thickness: measure with calipers. Replica cases often run past 9 mm.
- Dial: print, date window, hand facets at 10x.
- Numbers: case number, movement number, archive record.
- Service: a watchmaker opens the case and names the caliber.
What stays unknown
Photos from a listing cannot confirm a caliber. Weight and movement finish need the watch in hand. Ask for a service record or an Extract from the Archives before payment.