WHL
[VC Moderator]
4922
Blame Alex....
who said to me before the PuristS 2005 trip to visit Vacheron Constantin, "Bill, you should go meet Philippe Dufour." So I did, and while I did not get a Simplicity, I was sold on the passion that independent watchmakers have for thier craft. Instead of a JDN it could have been a Roger Smith or Kari Voutilainen or perhaps somethings else....
And Then There Were Two...
I have revealed both on this and on the AHCI forum that I choose to “blow up” my Vacheron Constantin collection in order to finance the purchase of a Jean Daniel Nicolas Two-Minute Tourbillon being made by master independent watchmaker Daniel Roth. There ...
What a wonderful experience and process you've gone through!
Hi Bill, First the effort in collecting 31 VCs and then the process of letting them go and deciding which ones to keep. This definitely sounds like a case of "the journey is it's own reward". As you already know, I'm looking forward to the story about rec...
I look forward to reading about your new addition...
as soon as you can get your hands on it. I can empathize with waiting!! The "journey is it own reward" definitely captures the feelings I have toward my collection experience. I'll have the JDN in less than a week! Bill
Now Bill
seen what 3 pieces you have sold I must say and I'm saying it with awe and respect you have cohones ..... I could never part with them specially the skeleton QP Thank you for sharing this tremendous story best Damian
Thanks, Damien....
I have enjoyed having every watch that I have purchased. And I don't regret any of the sales I have made (although I sometimes wonder if the Mercator and Skeleton QP would have been good watches to hand down to my two boys in time). Bill
I take more than a passing interest in the evolution of your collection...
And I'm somewhat happy to see that you've consolidated down to a few pieces you can't live without and unloaded the rest for a grail. I've personally gone through that very process more than a few times, and have lived happily with a few "grails" until th...
Thanks David....
Of course you played an insturmental part in my first grail! When getting such a watch one never expects to eventually part with it, but time marches on.... JDN pics will be up before too long. Be well. Bill
That is quite a journey, Bill
Thanks for sharing your story. It is educational for those of us who are yet relative newbies. I have a few pieces I think of as watches I would never part with, but when I look at what you have traded for a grail piece, then I begin to wonder what I may ...
There is a stress factor to taking care of so many watches...
and I do feel some relief in having fewer watches. As I mentioned in the article, I tended not to wear the vintage watches with any frequency, so it was relatively easy to part with them. I hope you'll keep us up to date on the evolution of your collectio...
Well in that case....
I'm glad I got to see both the QA and the mercator while you still had them. I have always liked that plain-style Overseas, much more than the chronograph actually, but never knew the older ones had a GP movement. Looking forward, though not nearly as muc...
Your decision to dispose off those VC pieces does surprise me, Bill
However, when it comes to the crossroad, the decision has to be made. But, will you buy back those watches one day when you are able to do so? It has come to a stage that I have forgotten some of the watches that are in my possession. I believe it is righ...
Hi Ling...
I doubt I would repurchase watches that I have sold. Regarding the skeleton QP, I think that the new Patrimony Traditionnelle version is a significantly nicer watch than the model I owned. VC's engraving has only gotten better over time. I'm not sure what...
I did.....
something similar a few months ago..... I was worth it for me and I am certain that you will feel the same way..... please let us know when your grail arrives.... cheers ps my VC QDI is gone so you gave me an idea for posting a review
Congrats on your grail....
and I look forward to reading your thoughts about the QDI, now that you are looking at it in the rear view mirror. Once I recover from the JDN experience I expect that I'll finally make a move on a QDI. Bill
the choices of the remaining watches is interesting but a collection is made
to evolve and yours seems to be evolving in a very interesting way Can't wait to see the Roth finally on your wrist
Blame Alex....
who said to me before the PuristS 2005 trip to visit Vacheron Constantin, "Bill, you should go meet Philippe Dufour." So I did, and while I did not get a Simplicity, I was sold on the passion that independent watchmakers have for thier craft. Instead of a...
Well Bill, I must admit that the "swap" will be worth it but
your expertise was very helpful in my purchasing of my one and only VC As is every-one else here we are hanging out to see the new acquisition when it arrives Great journey Julian
Hi Julian....
I recall your getting that vintage VC and hope you are still enjoying it. I'm looking forward to sharing my JDN experience with everyone on the AHCI forum. Bill
Pain and Pleasure
LOL Bill, having just gone through a much smaller purge, I appreciate the insight into what went and what stayed. Great choice keeping the CR...a wonderful piece. I didn't realize you had a soft spot for the OS 1st Gen until now...another great choice for...
I look forward to seeing what you are wearing on top of that mountain in Nepal!!
As well as to see what remain in your collection now that you have made your purge. Bill
I recently had to have a major 'clear-out'
I sympathise with anyone that has done this (since logic dictates you cannot just keep them all and at the same time 'consoidate'!)... it is a painful process. Just one point... did you not find that, whether consciously or not, the ones you have to keep ...
yes and no...
While selling the complicated watches definitely raised the bulk of the funds, I also had many vintage watches that cost less than the two I kept. Learning from my experience as a collector, I have found that I am most attracted to watches that showcase g...
Thanks for sharing this journey, Bill ...
It is both a courageous and encouraging story. I know I am likely to do this exact thing at some stage and I've been a bit nervous about it. So I am encouraged that at some point this will feel like the right thing to do, and I will know when that time co...
Thank you Andrew....
I'll look forward to seeing the evolution of your collection (or revolution, if it echoes my recent experience). I know plently of collectors who never sell anything. What is right for me may not work for someone else. But I thought I was going to pretty ...
a Mercator, a Mercator, my Kingdom for a Mercator
the Mercator is the one dream vintage piece that i really want to complete the holy trinity of Freak, Starwheel and Mercator. i cant articulate why those three are so important, Nicolas can, but i'm not that good with words. i have the first 2 and one day...
Thanks, Graham...
I've no doubt that a Mercator will be yours one day. I certainly enjoyed having and wearing it. On a side note, I purchased it in 2005, a few months before the fantastic Antiquorum auction that was dedicated to VC's watches. It killed my ability to make a...