Vacheron Constantin

2007 Watch Year Review...

 

Hi all,

Last year I wrote a post indicating the additions to my collection. This year I shall do the same.

In 2006 I had the good fortune to come close to “completing” my collection along the parameters that I had created in my mind. All that was missing was a tourbillon and a minute repeater, which are so expensive as to make one easily redefine one’s parameters!

Still, I really wanted a tourbillon. VC offers two basic choices: the Malte line and the Lemania twin-barrel ebauche line that had been discontinued, but whose models occasionally show up at auction or at secondary dealers. I was willing to wait a while to see what would come available.

While I waited, I realized that a “complete” collection becomes static and so less interesting: The hunt is more fun than the having! So after stuggling with my ideas and ideals about my collection, as well as my desire not to commit new money to the already considerable sums I had put into watches, I decided to blow up my collection, keeping only the watches that really speak to me (I will share the watches that survived the cut in a future post), and using the funds to buy new watches.

In selling off many of my VC’s I also entertained thoughts about breaking my VC-only collecting discipline. And break that discipline I did! I ordered a tourbillon from someone else, putting a deposit on it with an expected delivery late in 2008. All I really own at this point are a few pinions and staffs in progress:

a couple of barrels:




a really rough winding stem:




some unfinished plates:



and a couple of screws that will hold it all together:




That’s not the only non-VC I got! While in the course of selling my VC’s I took in trade a Rolex. I have always admired the brand, though I had never owned one, even in the days before I went VC exclusive. I have never been a big fan of the cycloptic date, so the Sea-Dweller suited me perfectly:




Still, I sold it at the end of summer once I had no more need for a bracelet watch. I liked having it, and might “rent” one again next summer!

I returned to the fold with my next watch; another Overseas Chronograph in the old style:




This model with the arabics is so different in affect from the silver dial chronograph that I just had to have it.

But I wasn’t done yet! Not content with one large-date chronograph for 2007, I just had to buy another:




I love this watch! Mine keeps great time and the start function is so smooth, without any jump in the chronograph hand, that one would think the movement employs a vertical clutch (it does not). I challenge VC to make a more beautiful and well-adjusted chronograph with thier own movement. If they can do this to my satisfaction then I will sell the Lange to buy the VC.

So folks, that is the state of WHL’s watch union. These are exciting times. Please share the story of your collection, because the process is just as much fun to follow as the products themselves.


Bill