Vacheron Constantin

Back from Vegas

 

2 packages waiting for us when we got home.  Something for the wife as well.

The dog doesn't appear particularly interested in what is in the boxes

Notice the post-it notes used to keep the watch from falling over (only the best equipment used in this photo studio)

 

A few comments and questions after having the watch for a few days.  First of all I love it.  It is very comfortable and is a very nice size.  It is not small, but as I had been buying bigger watches which I have become less enamored with due to worrying about banging them into things, this is smaller in a good way.  When the day changes, there is a blank space between the days on the disc.  Between 11 and midnight, the disc rotates to the blank space during this hour, then clicks over to the new day exactly at midnight.  It appears during that hour there is tension building in the mechanism so when released the disc switches quickly to the new day.  The date hand changes slowly and evenly between 11 and midnight (my other watches with date discs or hands are less regular in when they change over,  all finish changing somewhere between 10-30 minutes after midnight).  I have seen discussions about date wheels and what to do when you get to the 31-1 change, whether to have 2 numbers next to eachother or put a dot in between that is just a spacer (depending on whether even or odd numbers are shown).  I think VC handles it in an interesting way by placing the 12 hour indice on the date track so you don't have the 1-2 next to eachother, or 2 black dots for the 31-1.  This is a small thing but it helps to balance the dial.  Nico, you mentioned you do not like the guilloche on the center dial.  I like it.  I am a big fan of different dial textures and depths.  This dial has four depths (moonphase wheel, seconds track, date track, outer dial).  With the guilloche I think this adds alot of interest to the dial.  A couple of negatives.  It is a bit hard to wind.  The crown is set into the case (top half of crown covered by middle section of case).  Also, there is no quick set for the day, either pusher or using the crown.  Unless I am missing something this means if you need to set the watch say 5 days forward, you have to wind it through ten 12 hour cycles or don't wear the watch until it is closer to matching the day on the watch with the real day.  This is a potential pain in the ass.  One question--when researching posts from here, most posts on this watch are from 2003-05 and state that a JLC base is used but they may change to a complete in house movement.  I could not find whether that had happened or not.  So, JLC base still or complete VC movement?  Also, it appears the minute hand is not parallell to the dial.  I have noticed this in other watches, just not as dramatically.  I am assuming this is due to looking through the curved crystal and light refraction.  Is that correct?

All in all, I am very happy with the watch, hopefully will find more things to like about it with time.

I JUST REALIZED THAT AFTER TRYING TO BE CAREFUL WITH DOWNLOADING PICTURES I FORGOT THE FRICKING WRIST SHOT.  SORRY.

 

FOR THE WIFE

   Rolex Cellini, ref 5310, black MOP dial, red gold case, manual wind movement

Anyway, hope you enjoy the pictures. would enjoy hearing what you think.

Stewart