Wristshot
Respo shares his encounter with a Vacheron Constantin Patrimony 81180 in white gold at a WatchTime event, emphasizing the unique experience of seeing such a piece 'in the wild.' His post captures the admiration for its sublime dial and the insights from master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen regarding its craftsmanship. This article offers a glimpse into the appreciation for understated elegance among collectors.
Last night I attended WatchTime’s Inside Basel & Geneva event in Philadelphia hosted by collector Jeff Kingston. Without any notes, Jeff guided us through an entertaining whirlwind tour of the 2013 highlights of SIHH and Basel. An amazing opportunity for those of us unlucky enough to have missed attending SIHH and Basel for ourselves.
Needless to say there was lots of eye candy to behold. I got to meet the legendary Kari Voutilainen, who is soft-spoken and utterly charming. It was a delightful moment for me as he explained the details of the V-8 and the V-8R. The latter M. Voutilainen had with him last night was the very one among the limited edition of 25 “exemplaires” of the V-8R that is a finalist for 2013 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve Men’s Watch Category – calm down fellas, this one is already sold.
One of the best parts of the WatchTime events, aside from Jeff’s presentation and seeing the watches in the sponsors’ displays, is catching up with old friends and meeting new watch buddies. And it is always interesting to see what is on the wrists of the guests.
Last night I ran into a friend whom I see annually at the WatchTime event and occasionally at other GTGs. And this is what he was wearing:
It never fails to surprise me how I react to the 81180 whenever I see one in the metal. I rarely, rarely see any in the wild, as I did last night, and that was a special treat. It is a different experience to see the 81180 on the wrist, outside of the Boutique or watch store.
I really regret having forgotten to take a wrist shot -- the 81180 just looks amazing on my friend's wrist.
This is an example in white gold. The dial is sublime on the 81180. Even Kari Voutilainen remarked on my friend’s 81180, noting how challenging it is to make such a dial.
I have said it before and I continue to think that the 81180 is unequivocally a perfect dress watch. It is so “simple,” so elegant. It is a watch that would serve admirably as a companion for a lifetime.
respo
The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony 81180 is a minimalist time-only watch, representing the purest expression of the Patrimony collection's design principles. It is characterized by its slender profile and uncluttered dial, embodying a classic dress watch aesthetic within the brand's contemporary offerings.
This reference typically features a round case crafted from precious metals such as white gold, rose gold, or platinum. It houses a manual-winding mechanical movement, often the Caliber 1400, known for its thinness and Geneva Seal finishing. The dial is usually lacquered or silver-toned, with applied hour markers and slender hands.
For collectors, the Patrimony 81180 is valued for its adherence to traditional watchmaking codes and its refined simplicity. Its manual-winding movement and elegant proportions make it a favored choice for those seeking a discreet yet highly distinguished timepiece, often considered a benchmark for classic dress watches.
Patrimony Contemporaine to complement my Patrimony Traditionelle.
I could easily see having both, perhaps only in different metals/colors. Best, respo
Sounds like a fascinating meeting. I hope you have more pic ?? In the meantime, here is my WG Pat Com. with a black dial. Best, Joseph
Thanks for sharing that one, Joseph. There have been a number of special limited edition 81180s, to be sure. But it is wonderful that the regular production 81180s are equally compelling and gorgeous. One cannot go wrong no matter which one lands on the wrist. It was disappointing that VC could not participate in the IBG event this year. And yet my friend's 81180 was the star of the show for me. I definitely took the most photos of his watch. He was very patient with me. LOL. Best, respo
I hope you don't mind if I stray from the 81180 specifically to comment that VC does elegance and simplicity so very well. Thanks for brightening the day with these wonderful pictures :-)
The black is so dynamic! Best, Joe
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