Vacheron Constantin

Just added a Patrimony to my small collection

 

In all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity

Longfellow wrote this and I am always reminded of it when I see a beautifully simple, but amazingly executed watch. I received the latest addition to my budding collection today – a Patrimony Automatic. While it’s no secret that I have been coveting the Bi-Retrograde, I decided ultimately that a good collection needs a great foundation and went for a simple classic – something evocative of the foundations of the brand. This watch ticked all the boxes for me – simple, elegant, dressy, Geneva Seal, transparent back, white gold. It was a tough choice between this and the Traditionelle, but in the end the more modern aesthetic of this one won me over. Beyond just ticking the boxes, there are so many things I love about this watch – the dagger indices, the pearl minute track, the opaline silvered dial. I find it to be a beautiful expression of both modernity and classicism, somehow. Another great quote on simplicity comes from no less than Da Vinvci, who said “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” I think this is an apt explanation of this watch. It has a very sophisticated simplicity – something not easy to achieve.

So, once I have enjoyed this piece for a while, I will begin again looking at complications and flights of horological fancy, but for now, I heeded the words of Longfellow and opted for an expression of supreme excellence. Thanks Bill (WHL) for helping me acquire it.