bigdave
104
The Word is Joy
I have taken the plunge and own an American 1921. I feel very silly, but the operative word is joy. It is probably overpriced. Even though I have always liked the Toledo I have often told myself that the thinking behind the Historiques line is derivative in a way that I am not myself anxious to reward, when there is so much great design elsewhere in the Vacheron catalogue. But I forgot about all of that when I tried the American on. It is a metaphor for so much that is good: when one could be refined and American and a little off-center all at once. It is a concrete design achievement that relies on beauty instead of being able to tell you when the stock market opens and closes in Toronto. It glows in a way that no watch has glowed for me since I first laid eyes on an Urwerk, and, for just a moment, believed that time machines were real. The American does the same thing, though the settings on its time machine are rather different. Thank you, Vacheron--job VERY well done.
Photos of the American 1921
By: WHL : August 4th, 2009-09:20
There have been numberous photographic posts with the American 1921 as the subject. Now it is my turn to contribute to the genre! I'm certainly not tired of seeing this watch, either in person or in photos. When "Les Historiques" was introduced in the 199...
The Original American...
By: Tick Talk : August 4th, 2009-16:54
The 1921 originated as the so-called "American" of 1921, with a lepine-type pocket watch movement with sub-seconds at 6 o'clock and the crown at 12 o'clock. V&C cleverly offset the dial and crown to allow it to work as a wristwatch. A similar case design ...
Thanks a lot for the pics.
By: amanico : August 4th, 2009-22:16
Well, I think I prefer the modern to the original, too, because of the lugs... As for the Perpetual Calendar, I'm less fan, due to its busy dial. It doesn't have the simplicity, the sobriety of the 1921... BUT, to be seen in the flesh, before any final ju...
A closer cousin
By: WHL : August 5th, 2009-08:41
I think the VC team was working off of this particular layout when designing the American 1921: Photo courtesy of Alex Ghotbi I wonder if VC has thought about using the automatic caliber 2455, where the subseconds can be placed at 9 o'clock, to give the l...
Side of the QdI
By: WHL : August 5th, 2009-12:29
A photograph for comparison: I would say that Vacheron Constantin has two very distinct takes on the cushion concept right now with the American 1921 and the Quai de l'Ile, and that both look great. I see what you mean about the side, with the upper edge ...
The Word is Joy
By: bigdave : August 8th, 2009-03:05
I have taken the plunge and own an American 1921. I feel very silly, but the operative word is joy. It is probably overpriced. Even though I have always liked the Toledo I have often told myself that the thinking behind the Historiques line is derivative ...
