Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Ultra-Thin Evening Watch

Le Monde Edmond · 2013-10-18T14:59:59Z

Discover the ultimate evening watch for black tie: Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Ultra-Thin. Collectors share their formal watch choices and debate traditions.

Le Monde Edmond

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

37 replies7200 views5 photos

Le Monde Edmond, a self-proclaimed sports watch enthusiast, challenges the conventional wisdom of formal watch attire by sharing his ultimate choice for evening events: the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Ultra-Thin. This post sparks a lively discussion among collectors about their preferred timepieces for black-tie occasions, exploring the balance between tradition, personal taste, and horological elegance.

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As many of you know, I am first and foremost a sports watch enthusiast. Mainly Rolex of course. The submariner and the GMT Master are the watches that speak most to me. These two tool watches have captured my mind and imagination. Having said that I also love the Polaris by JLC, the original from 1968. And the Omega speed master. Its one of my all time favourite. Lastly I am a big fan of the Blancpain fifty fathom. Ofcourse only the original ones and early ones from the 1950s. But I often attend evening events and then I chose not wear a sports watch. But an evening watch. Despite owning a few nice Pateks including one of my all time favourite watches - a world time - I don't consider it a watch appropriate with a white dinner jacket or black tie. I also am lucky to own two fine Reverso JLC from the 1930s. Very elegant. But they don't make the cut either. When I wear a white dinner jacket or black tie - then only one watch can qualify.

Any guesses what this is? Its very thin. Perhaps the thinest hand wound watch in the world besides Piaget.

Yes it is a Patrimony ultra thin and large from Vacheron. For me a very simple but yet elegant watch. It prepares me to meet all kinds of people and look not out of place. No, it is most certainly not the most glamourous watch. Nor is it the one watch I miss when I don't wear it. But it is the gold standard and Nr 1 choice of evening watches when I wear a white dinner jacket or black tie. Then no other watch gets worn. Not even my beloved Worldtime from Patek.

So what is your favorite evening watch? And why?

Best Edmond

Key Points from the Discussion

For sporty dress, an Audemars Piguet is chosen, while a Patek Philippe is preferred for dressy occasions with yellow gold, and an ultra-thin Universal Geneve for tighter cuffs.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin was a long-standing choice for formal events, but for rare black-tie occasions, a collector now opts for their best effort, showcasing a F.P. Journe Chronomètre Souverain.
A collector chooses a A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange for less formal evening wear, appreciating its colored metal, and for more formal events like a tailcoat, prefers a Breguet pocket watch.
Some collectors advocate for breaking traditional rules, suggesting that a Rolex Submariner or GMT-Master can be worn with formal attire, channeling a 'James Bond' aesthetic.
A Blancpain Chronometer, featuring a highly finished Peseux 7001 movement, is presented as a favorite evening watch, with both white and black dial versions shown.
A collector shares a vintage circa 1946 watch, currently undergoing restoration, as their choice for evening wear, highlighting the appreciation for historical pieces.

The Discussion

Dr No

Oct 18, 2013

. . . interviews and funerals. With that qualification, my choice of wrist wear would be . . . . . . The Chronometre. Cordially, Art

Le Monde Edmond

Oct 18, 2013

That is one heck of a nice funeral watch ;) Joking aside. It is very nice and usual. Congratulations on this fine watch. I personally have a weakness for two signatures (one the retailer) dialed watches. Nice!

Bill

Oct 18, 2013

But only for Black Tie which is not often.

Le Monde Edmond

Oct 18, 2013

A nice simple thin watch. I didn't even know JLC made ultra thin watches. Now I do. Thank you Bill. E

pplater

Oct 18, 2013

...("Master Ultra Thin") was for a long time the go-to watch for a formal event. Now, however, black tie events are so few that you've got to go with your best effort, don't you? - That Patrimony is a very beautiful watch. A past iteration, though, had 'Pt 950' printed on the dial between the four and six indices, and that was a little off-puting. The current lineup is sensational. Congratulations on your good taste! Cheers, pplater.

cazalea

Oct 18, 2013

Sporty dress: AP Dressy dress with yellow gold: Patek Dressy with tighter cuffs, the ultra-thin Universal Geneve And finally for white gold accessories, it has to be the BlancpaiN My shirt\'s not pressed, and it\'s Friday night, so I had to go with the velvet smoking jacket instead. I hope that\'s okay. And a very nice pocket watch to finish: Cazalea

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Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Ultra-Thin Evening Watch

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