foversta provides a hands-on review of the Vacheron Constantin Quai de l'Ile in stainless steel, analyzing its strategic positioning within the brand's catalog. The article explores how this new stainless steel variant redefines the collection's accessibility and aesthetic, especially in contrast to the Overseas line.
The Quai de l'Ile collection symbolizes for me the experiment conducted by Vacheron Constantin since its launch to provide an extremely large customization to the watches through multiple available settings and options. By using a configurator, the customer can choose the materials of the case (including the bezel and the flanks), the complications, the types of dial and thus define the watch that best matches his tastes. This approach, however interesting, is facing the problem of the industrial organization of the production and Vacheron Constantin now prefers to focus on the Quai de l'Ile collection as a traditional and usual component of the catalog with specific models. Vacheron Constantin has perhaps made the mistake of being right too soon because customization is one of the major topics on which brands must work today to meet the customers' aspirations.
Despite this strategic change, the watches of the Quai de l'Ile collection keep a special place in the catalogue. This singularity is due to the "casual chic" asthetic approach which gives the the feeling that the watches are playing on several fields. The different models are not as "sports oriented" that may be those from the Overseas collection. The 30 meters waterproofness against 150 meters for Overseas is the main proof of this statement. The Quai de l'Ile collection is refined and offers a complex and original case building which is half-round, half cushion-shaped. If we had to make a bold shortcut, a Quai de l'Ile watch is te one which is worn during the week and particularly on the famous "Casual Friday" while an Overseas watch adorns the wrist of its owner during the weekend!
More seriously, the Quai de l'Ile collection reflects the desire from Vacheron Constantin to explore a more contemporary style for watches that keep a classic basis. This trend is also highlighted by the presentation in 2016 of a Quai de l'Ile watch in stainless steel available in two dial colors: black and white.
This presentation is a surprise to me, especially in the context of the renewal of the Overseas collection which took place during the last SIHH. I felt that there was at the end a risk of collision between these new stainless steel watches. And by closely analyzing this new Quai de l'Ile in stainless steel, I've realized that Vacheron Constantin has subtly completed the offer of its catalog.
In fact, this new Quai de l'Ile in stainless steel occupies the price segment abandoned by the Overseas Automatic - 3 hands which, in its 2016 edition, singularly goes upmarket thanks to the use of the in-house movement 5100 bearing the Geneva Seal. It is aesthetically different from the Overseas because the later remains profoundly marked by the stylistic context of the 70s. The Quai de l'Ile doesn't have the similar waterproof and the anti-magnetism performances than the Overseas what clearly indicates its different vocation. But it takes advantage of the originality of its case and the character of its dial.
The case of the Stainless Steel version of the Quai de l'Ile is in my opinion its strong aesthetic asset. Its base has a cushion shape with generous dimensions (41mm x 50,26mm) but also features a round bezel. In fact, depending on the circumstances, the case can be seen as round or as cusion-shaped. I love this feeling that gives a lot of subtlety to the piece. The alternating polished and brushed parts are also appreciable. The thickness of 11,75mm is not strictly fine but it emerges from the case a slender stlye. The shape of the caseback and of the lugs, which are very short when the watch is turned over, significantly contributes to the wearing comfort. In addition, proper positioning on the wrist is ensured thanks to the effective folding clasp which can be easily adjusted since Vacheron Constantin had the good idea to avoid the screw system found on more expensive models.
The character of the dial is due to the position of the date figures in the central zone. This display follows the principle of the Quai de l'Ile collection: the figures are fixed while their indicator moves. So the date is displayed through a small arrow along the graduation and facing inwards. It is not the most convenient and legible date display but the aesthetic integration is rather successful. The dial is made of two distinct areas, the central area dedicated to the date and the peripheral area dedicated to the hours and minutes display. The design of the dial is decidedly sleek and modern, and its finish is neat, especially with the peripheral area. The two main hands are luminescent while a central second hand animates the dial.
I talked a lot about the elements of divergence between the Quai de l'Ile and the Overseas Automatic - 3 hands and yet there is a fundamental common point between these two watches: their movement. Indeed, the Quai de l'Ile in stainless steel is powered by the movement 5100/1 which is the same as the one of the Overseas but with a specific decoration. It is for me a surprise because the Quai de l'Ile Automatic - 3 hands in gold uses the caliber 2460QH and I would have expected to find the same movement.
Without any doubt, the decoration of the caliber 5100 is more refined in the Overseas context due to the gold rotor. But Vacheron Constantin preserved the Geneva Seal on the 5100/1 version and the visual rendering of the oscillating weight in Tungsten is pleasant and consistent with the contemporary atmosphere of the watch. The finishes of the movement are neat and remain sober and tasteful. Its performance is in the standards of newly designed movements with a frequency of 4hz and a power reserve of 60 hours.
But the most successful move from Vacheron Constantin is in the price positioning of the watch. By proposing a stainless steel case in its Quai de l'Ile collection, the manufacture gives the opportunity to its customers to purchase a watch with a contemporary and timeless design and powered by a new in-house caliber with the Geneva Seal for € 16,200 euros (with taxes in France), complemented by the folding clasp and two available straps (alligator and rubber). Taking into account this competitive price in the high-horology segment, the Quai de l'Ile in stainless steel can be seen as a credible and convincing entry level watch that meets the requirements and demands from the market of more adjusted prices. It should therefore enable Vacheron Constantin to expand its customer base which can be beneficial for the brand on a longer run.
Thanks to the team of the Vacheron Constantin boutique in Paris - rue de la Paix.
Pros:
+ A complex and successful case
+ A design which is at the same time contemporary and timeless
+ The use of the new 5100/1 automatic movement
+ An attractive price for a Vacheron Constantin powered by an in-house movement with the Geneva Seal
+ The folding clasp and the two straps
Cons:
- A somewhat limited waterproofness which prevents the watch from being a true all-around piece
- The date display is not that legible
This message has been edited by foversta on 2016-05-01 11:21:53 
