Short Answer
A Type XX 3820 clone is a copy of the Vacheron Constantin Type XX chronograph, reference 3820, a steel two-register chronograph Vacheron Constantin sold in the 1970s. Replica prices run from about $85 to $600. The price tracks one part: the movement. Cases, dials, and crystals come from a small number of workshops and get sold under many brand names. Sellers do not name the source factory.
What the Original Reference Is
The Type XX line began as a chronograph order for the French air force in the 1950s. Reference 3820 is a later civilian version. Production totals are not published, and case size and bezel style differ between production runs. Compare a clone against photos of one specific watch, not against a general description of the model.
Movement Tiers
- Under $150: quartz. The chronograph hand ticks once per second. Pushers feel light.
- $200 to $400: Seagull ST19. Manual wind, column wheel, horizontal clutch. The chronograph hand sweeps.
- $450 and up: ST19 with decorated bridges, or a Swiss Venus 175 base from old stock. Few sellers hold these in stock.
Ask for a photo of the movement before payment. A $300 clone with a quartz movement is a $90 watch in a heavier case.
Case, Dial, Crystal
- Diameter. Vintage chronographs of this era sit near 37mm to 39mm. Many clones reach 40mm or more.
- Lugs. Check drilled holes and lug shape against the reference you compared.
- Dial print. Text should stay sharp under 10x magnification. Soft edges are the fastest tell.
- Crystal. Sapphire adds $40 to $80 over mineral glass. Mineral glass takes scratches.
Price and Resale
Clones hold little value. A $350 clone resells on forums for $150 to $200, and often less. Treat the money as spent.
Type XX 3820 Version: The Ultimate Guide to Swiss Replica Watches
What Clones Do Not Copy
Movement finish, caseback engraving depth, and lume color are the usual gaps. Tritium on an original dial ages to a brown-yellow. Most clones use fresh lume or printed color that does not match. No clone carries a Vacheron Constantin warranty or a service record.
Checks Before Buying
- Get the movement model name and photos of the caseback interior.
- Get timegrapher numbers: rate, amplitude, beat error.
- Get the return window in writing.
- Pay with a method that has a dispute process.
- Compare the listing photos against auction photos of a real 3820.