Freccero
1380
A few remarks about an underrated beauty.
In the past days a particular watch returned in my mind after reading Alkiro's article about the best examples of lugs. It is the VC Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955.
Now this watch is in my opinion really astonishing and VC had a great idea in reissuing a very rare model from 1955, known above all for those particular kind of lugs. However it is very difficult to see (not only here but also in shops' displays), for this reason I think it would deserve much more love especially if we consider that its direct concurrent are way more popular.
Those concurrents are the Lange Datograph and the Patek 5170.
Finishings-wise, at this level all three are stunning, maybe for somebody Patek and Lange are a bit more prestigious because they have inhouse movements but for me this is not a real issue since VC's one is based on the historical and mythical Lemania 2310. Furthermore the predecessor of the 5170 (5070) also featured a Lemania calibre.
Looking at the design the Lange is the one I like the less because the case looks a bit heavy in my opinion. Patek is the lighter among the three and has a dial that is to die for especially in the black version with Breguet numerals( the cherry on top). The Vacheron has real captivating lugs, which give a completely different appeal to the watch and a proper 38.5 mm case.
Maybe the fact that the VC is so underrated could be due to advertisement strategies/reasons because otherwise I can not explain this lack of attention, in any case the Cornes De Vache have nothing to envy to its competitors. Moreover the fact that a limited edition of this watch was made for Hodinkee did not help increasing its popularity, quite strange...
So guys I would like to know if you had the same impression about the VC too and which one of those 3 big boys do you prefer.
Photo credits: Monochrome Watches
Thanks for reading
Best
This message has been edited by Ares501 Mr Green on 2017-08-22 14:01:00
A few remarks about an underrated beauty.
In the past days a particular watch returned in my mind after reading Alkiro's article about the best examples of lugs. It is the VC Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955. Now this watch is in my opinion really astonishing and VC had a great idea in reissuing ...
Please can you add few pictures of these three beauties my friend?
Best wishes Alkiro
All 3 are lovely
but the Datograph was a revolution that shook up the old Swiss boys club and for that reason it is the top chronograph in my mind. Also I do prefer its sporty heft compared to the dressiness of the PP and VC. Probably the more apt comparison is the Lange ...
Thank you for your thoughts!
You said well the Datograph was a Revolution in Swiss watchmaking. Instead of the Dato I could have put the 1815 chrono... yes but I didi not because it is a bit more affordable than the other two and I wanted to compare the VC with its most direct compet...
I love all three but if I could only own one
it would be the datograph. I love both the original icon and the up/down as it sits more comfortably on the wrist and any follow up to the icon was going to be controversial. In my opinion reflection will be kind to the up/down. Best,
The Datograph in my opinion is becoming more and more an icon. However i still prefer the more elegant dimension of the VC and the PP.
In order to be faithful to my nickname I would say 5170 is the one but nonetheless I think that the lack of appreciation for the VC is a real shame. Best.
I like the Vacheron
because of its lugs that you rightly pointed out and its more modest 38.5mm watch case. I know the datograph is a cult watch that many tend to compare with other chronographs but in my opinion, a more attractive and better value watch from Lange is the 18...
Thank you for input sham1!
As I also said before I could have put the 1815 chrono in the comparison but it has slightly lower price than the other three and since I wanted to compare watches that was on the same price level I opted for the Dato. Now I absolutely agree with that the...
It's not underrated, it's simply overpriced!
How come VC + Hodinkee sold the LE even before the watch was officially shown? Maybe 'cause the (supposed to be) collectors pay heavy money for PP only? Anyway, Datograph 1 gen is still my holy grail; superb smooth pusher plus big date; i'd sell my bro fo...
lwhat a lovely trio!
maybe i'm the minority here because my favorite duo is the VC & PP 5170 (with pulsometer). and if i could only choose one, it would be the PP5170. thanks
💪🏻💪🏻same team!
I would choose the 5170 too but with black dial but right after there is the stunning VC. Best.
Even if I think that the Datograph (first generation) is the reference for many of us, in this specific context, I would have preferred to compare these VC and PP to the 1815 chrono
Nevertheless, from a pure aesthetic point of view, the VC is the nicest timepiece for me. These lugs are wonderful and when you know the related story, that adds something more. My choice would be the VC first and then, equally, the PP and Lange (or secon...
Thank you for the input, my friend.
I did not put the 1815 because it is in a different price range but I generally prefer the 1815 rather than the Dato. Best.
The Zeitwerk is a revolutionary watch not only for the way in which it displays hours but also for the patented constant force escapement.
Although aesthetically it is not my grail watch in terms of mechanic it stands among the pinnacles of modern watchmaking. Best.
From a pure mechanical point of view, I think everybody is agree to salute the true work of art made by Lange with this mouvement.
Regarding its look, I can understand that its design is truly divisive. At the beginning, I wasn't really attracted by this timepiece but time helped me and now I'm crazy about it despite its case size which could be a brake too. Best wishes Alkiro
Yes I think that it is almost impossible to find a single person, who denies the wonderful work made by Lange.
Moreover the design as you said is highly divisive and this is what I like from Lange. They were very courageous in releasing a so particular watch that, potentially, could have be a flop. In my opinion this daring choice is a great prove of character esp...
Mmm it reminds me of what Journe did with the Vagabondage. He went out from its "comfort zone" of elegant watches to create a really unusual case shape, which just like the Zeitwerk divides opinions but for me it was a great bet.
I would be very thrilled if Lange would do something put of its "comfort zone". Best.
That's really funny because I thought to this one (the 2 and 3) when I was writing my reply.
I think it has an influence on my Zeitwerk choice because I'm deep in love with the Vagabondage 2. Unfortunately, I never saw one in real. I saw few videos of the new one (number 3) but I'm not really convinced by it (the 2 is nicer for me). I think the j...
Actually I love both of them but maybe If I should buy a Journe they would not be my first choice. Anyway they were a challenge for a so young/small maison but they did a great work.
Even if the design is unusual they managed to make the look understated but very appreciable by enthusiasts. Best.
Tribute to Journe himself too🙏🏼
However I think that Journe's release was daring but the risks were lower than Lange's ones with the Zeitwerk. Best.
You're probably right regarding the risk taken by Lange compared to Journe. The Vagabondage 1, 2 and 3 are more a stylistic exercise, in my opinion, rather than a wish to launch a new "family product"
The Zeitwerk was a true new "family product" (equivalent to the Lange 1, 1815...) for Lange with several different metals, functions/variations (regular, striking and decimal for the moment) and limited edition (Handwerkskunst and Luminous). Best wishes A...
Yes, definitely they are probably more an experimentation instead Lange attempted to create a totally now way of displaying time.
Furthermore the Vagabondage was available in very limited quantities so the risk was quite relative. Best.
I love this VC.
I have been flirting with it for months. The size is perfect, those lugs are gorgeous, and it just looks so great overall. But, it has its downsides also. First, IMO, it is very difficult to read. There is no contrast between the dial and the hands. Also,...
Even though it is overpriced it costs less than the 5170 and the VC is in platinum...
Regarding the readability I agree that sometimes it could be a bit difficult. Best.
Oh, don't get me wrong, I love this watch.
And when I say expensive, please realize that it has to be looked at through the lens of the existing collection of each individual. I would rather spend this elsewhere as I already have a dato, which makes it expensive to me personally.
I got your point.
As you said it is purely a matter of taste. If somebody likes this model a lot he spends for it but for somebody, for which this is a "just" a lovely chrono it could be too expensive. Thanks for the input! Best.
VC!
I had the first generation dato, and while beautiful , the thickness vs diameter ratio never made it feel as nice as others I have owned. I too prefer the 1815 chrono. If forced for a choice between the three, I think the VC then 5170(which was my all tim...
5170 is my all time favourite watch but I think that the VC is really gorgeous either and while PP and Lange have had a good success the
VC is really hard to spot. Regarding the dimension of the Dato I agree that both diameter and thickness could ve an issue, in my opinion. Best.
no Dato
While Dato is amazing but the thickness is too much. VC Cornes de Vache is perfect dimension with one of the most beautiful lug. P5170P would be the best and not so common
Yes the thickness of the Dato is a problem for this reason the PP and the VC are much more wearable and elegant.
It is a tough struggle between 5170 and Cornes de Vache. Thank for your thoughts! Best.
Tough choices. PP5170G
I personally would prefer the VC Les Historique, ideally in Platinum and Salmon dial over the Cornes de Vaches. If Dato, then without the Up/Down, but I agree with some others, the Dato is heavy and more like a sports chrono, compared with the VC or the P...
Yes the Les Historique is a great choice, my friend.
Regarding the PP 5170 is the only pure chrono Patek is currently offering otherwise you have to add a PC(5270 for example), a split second (the 5370) or an annual calendar (5960). Best.
The CDV really impressed me
I first saw the platinum CDV in Watches and wonders 2015 here in Hong Kong (RIP to the exhibition), that's easily my favorite piece in the entire exhibition. The case was sensual, the blue on the dial popped, and I really liked that VC had upgraded from t...
Thank you very much for your thoughts!
As many things also the size of the Dato is a matter of taste. Regarding the VC the case is wonderful and my favourite version is the platinum one. However the gold version is not bas either, a bit more classic. The 5170 is the essence of pure chronograph...
I can see why 5170 has a bigger appeal to others
It's also the most versatile watch among these 3. Ken
the sequence you show them is correct
the VC's lines are by far the best design and even though quality wise is tough to separate them I would keep the ranking the way it is...
My views:
The Lange is beautiful yet personally I find the design to become slightly outdated. The PP is a superb watch, gorgeous timeless but overpriced The VC is stunning, but VC could have been smarter with marketing-pricing-distribution Is there a winner? No, a...
I agree with you, very diplomatic judgment.
The PP, yes it is probably overpriced and VC did not make justice to its beautiful chrono. Thank you for your input! Best.
VC got the Great History over the other two.
VC got the Great History over the other two. pp and AS , don`t have the Great History of VC .