Collection
Yesjb shares the culmination of a six-year quest to acquire the Vacheron Constantin Tribute to the Great Explorers, specifically the Magellan version. He recounts his initial encounter with the watch's unique satellite time display at the Vacheron Manufacture in 2006 and the journey to finally add this 'magical' timepiece to his collection. The post highlights the watch's intricate mechanical movement, a reworked JLC 889, and its distinctive way of indicating time.
In 2006, I visited the new Vacheron Manufacture just outside of Geneva for the first time. One of the watches that caught my eye was the new Tribute to the Great Explorers. I saw it for the first time (the Magellan version), in a disassembled state and marveled at the mechanical movement that Vacheron had created, or rather completely reworked from the JLC 889.
With its 3 satellite arms, each holding 4 digits, mounted on cams in the shape of Vacheron’s Maltese cross rotating around a dental axis like planets around the sun and each digit like a moon in orbit around its planet. In turn each digit would sweep the 132 degree bi-level gap to indicate the time.
To me this unique alternate time display was nothing short of “magical thinking”.
From that time it was a quest to obtain one for myself. Being, in 2006, a real neophyte in the watch-collecting world, I thought it could wait before I gave it any more serious consideration. What a mistake! I had missed at least two other opportunities and now, finally, after 6 years, opportunity came knocking again.
Our esteemed moderator, Bill Lind, knew I loved this watch. We had discussed it before. Then one day, a few months ago, out of the blue, he called to inform me that he had one available. I could hesitate no more. It seemed to be an auspicious conjunction since I knew I would be at a conference in Boston at the end of September (Columbus Day weekend- how fitting!)
Several articles, including fantastic photographs have already been written. They cover the details better than I ever could. But I will add my modest voice.
In the metal it is a real work of art and a most appropriate partner for my Mercator of the Iberian Peninsula.
Enjoy!
Joseph
Even if I have a soft spot for the Mercator. But waht a watch! Best, Nicolas
amp;fi=14&pi=4656678&ti=714798&msid=&s = (In the text above it should read "central" axis not "dental" axis!
The Christopher Columbus is such a beautiful watch, and the perfect complement to your enamel Mercator. Wear it in the best of health! Bill
Joseph, you are killing me with your new acquisitions. It's a good thing, however. This Explorer really complements not only your enamel Mercator but really adds to your growing collection of Vacheron's alternative time displays. We need a family portrait of all of these in your collection. That will really kill me. :-) So, is the caliber in the Columbus the same as the one in the legendary Sputnik? Are there any differences technically? And I am curious about the cuff links -- they look to have
You have a most coherent vision of what you want and the cojones to get 'em too :-))
I agree! It really is a wonderful creation.
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