radekw
72
While I appreciate all the craftsmanship and hours of tremendous effort
that go into creation of these pieces of art these watches don't quite fullfil my expectations.
First, Mercator, which I prefer for its unprecedented concept and design, is simply too small for my taste. It would be simply awesome to see this piece reintroduced in the Historiques line, however unlikely, beefed up to today's standards.
Second, TTGE watches, however beautiful and artistic, are cased in YG which happens to be my least favorite case material of all...
So far I say no to them. But I can still see the incredible job VC has done in both cases perfectly combining fantastic complications with a full artistic approach in design.
Thanks Bill for this interesting and informative post!
Radek
Art and Complication - A look at the Tribute to the Great Explorers
It could almost go without saying (since I’ve said it so often!) that Vacheron Constantin makes some of the finest dress watches today. Vacheron Constantin also creates a number of watches with innocative and interesting complications. In the Metiers d’Ar...
Hour wheels
I had always assumed they were painted sapphire disks, like the AP wandering hour, but they appear to be cut-out metal. Any idea what they're made of, they must be crazy thin! thanks for the report A
I don't know the material of the hands....
but will ask VC for the answer. Thanks for reading. Bill
Beautiful
One of the most amazing detail of this watch is the extreme thin enamel calendar, a real masterpiece to produce. It is very complicated to do an enamel dial in such a thickness.
I know making these dials is hard work....
and with only the two artisans making them, one can wait a long time for delivery of one of these Great Explorer watches. Bill
Artistic Excellence and Haute Horlogerie
VC at his BEST. IMHO, The First Brand which combine at this high level these 2 perpetual knowledge with excellent worldwide artists. How not to fall in love for these creations. Thanks for sharing again and again..... Love them ;-)))) Cheers, Patrickh
While a lot of brands work hard to bring us
technical masterpieces, none combine technical excellence with artistic merit quite like Vacheron Constantin. Bill
great writeup and review. i just want to say these mercators are the independent's within
vacheron's maison ! love the concept, love them and very collectible in my opinion, especially for us who daren't go a big way collecting the independent's for future's visibility and serviceability.
I remember listening to VC's Artistic Director...
Chiristian Selmoni talk about the development of the Great Explorer watches and how the Urwerk team had independently developed their own wandering hour display and filed their own patents at the same time as VC. It's hard to believe how the same concept ...
Thank you Davo...
It's always a pleasure to experience these great watches and write about them. Bill
Bill, this is a great summary
I have been waiting for a history of these amazing watches from VC -- and you delivered!!! The Mercator has fascinated me for a long time now. It was probably the first Vacheron that really caught my eye even before I "discovered" the 1921. I slightly pre...
The Mercator would fit well within your collection....
though I think the 36 mm case might be smaller than your would prefer. I know one of the 10 wrists that it sits on, so just let me know if you want an introduction... Bill...
A tad small, yes, but...
arrrggghhhhh...so beautiful! And of course, you know a wrist upon which one sits. You kill me, Bill! Best always, respo
While I appreciate all the craftsmanship and hours of tremendous effort
that go into creation of these pieces of art these watches don't quite fullfil my expectations. First, Mercator, which I prefer for its unprecedented concept and design, is simply too small for my taste. It would be simply awesome to see this piece reintr...