respo
4777
Another look at the Patrimony Contemporaine, reference 86180
I would like to return to a topic that Bill explored earlier this year, A Forgotten Patrimony Contemporaine .
(Photo courtesy of WHL, VC Forum Moderator)
There seems to be a lack of information on this reference. As Bill explained in his nicely illustrated tribute to this forgotten Patrimony Contemporaine, the model was announced in late 2006 and was available in the catalogue only from 2007-2009. Bill mentioned there was no offical press release, but perhaps someone could post a scan of the relevant pages from the 2007-2009 catalogues. (I do not have those available to me.)
Ref. 86180 shares the same automatic caliber 2460 as found in the date model Patrimony Contemporaine, ref. 85180. Bill also noted that "in concert with the other Patrimony Contemporaine watches, the dial curves down towards the edge, with the hands bending down to follow the curvature of the dial." I love that detail of the Patrimony Contemporaine line.
I wonder if we can tease out a few more details about this slightly mysterious Patrimony Contemporaine, and perhaps some owners might be able to provide some additional photos and share their experiences, please .
In some ways, it is useful to compare the 86180 directly with the longer lived and more commonly known 81180. I am guessing that most people who have seriously considered Vacheron Constantin watches and had any opportunity to see them in person have probably had the opportunity to see an 81180 or two and can use that watch as a referebnce for comparison. It is also unlikley that many of us will get a chance to see an 86180 in the metal unless we run into a lucky collector who happens to have one.
I note that the case and dial of the 86180 look very similar to the 81180 with a few differences to be noted:
The 86180 has a display caseback
The crown does not tuck into the side of the case as it does in the 81180
And most obviously, the 86180 is a three-hand time-only watch.
One wants to know more. For starters:
Is the 86180 thicker than the 6.8mm case of the 81180 and by how much? The 86180 has an automatic movement with a date function, even if it is not displayed in the 86180, and the watch has a display caseback, so I am guessing that the watch is slightly thicker.
Other than thickness and the way the crown meets the case, are there any other differences in case and lug design? (It would be especially nice to see a profile shot or two of the 86180.)
Is the bezel the same? Are the finishings and treatment of the case the same as with the 81180?
What metal is the dial made of and is the dial finishing similar to or the same as those found on the "equivalent" 81180 models?
What case metals and dial colors were produced?
Were there any Boutique editions?
Are the hour and minute hands and hour markers the same design and size as on the 81180?
The 86180 seems to me to be a very beautiful watch, with a lovely caliber, dateless and with a large sweep seconds hand, for those of us who like that sort of thing (and I do!). There appear to be very few available in the secondary market, and given that it only appeared in the VC catalogue for but a couple of years, I am betting it must be a relatively rare reference.
Please share your thoughts on this watch, whether you own one or not, and, if you have them, photos,
Cheers,
respo
This message has been edited by respo on 2012-09-26 12:44:54
Another look at the Patrimony Contemporaine, reference 86180
The one that got away
Thank you,Walid!
Definitely the WG version
Uh oh!
Soon enough
I saw one at the VC Boutique in New Delhi a week and
Yup, you are absolutely right!
Proud 86180 owner
as promised, pictures!
And thanks for the photos
One sentence comes to mind....
Thank you, Inurmo, for a such a personal post
About the dials
The 86180 dials do look a little creamier
Yeah....