Comments:
Tough choice
1921 is more uniquely attractive in so many ways but Chrono Royal is very gorgeous clean.
Hmmmm
Hmmmm
Hmmmm... Thanks for your sentence, G.M. 11-3 for the 1921, then. [nt]
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I can't stay out of this one. LOL
Both of these are very, very special watches.
The 1921 is iconic for Vacheron Constantin, but then so is a Chronometre Royal (almost any CR, in my opinion), which line has a long and distinguished history for the brand.
It had to be my first. it was love at first sight. As I said, it is iconic for the brand, instantly recognizable. The introduction of the manual wind caliber 4400 was made in this watch. It stands for everything VC does so well in a simple time-only watch with a twist. The grainy dial is superb. The hands, the tilted dial, the placement and axis of the running seconds subdial, the crown at 12 o'clock, the cushion shape, the lovely and interesting lugs. Indeed all of these elements are interesting and together create a total that is greater than the sum of its parts. It is quirky yet sublimely elegant. There is nothing else like it, indeed no other brand could have made it, and it is pure Vacheron Constantin. To my eye, the version above, the original in rose gold, is the prettiest. It has a warmth that the platinum lacks. The platinum is gorgeous, don't get me wrong, and knowing you are a white metal guy, it would suit you, Nicolas. But I will still say the original rose gold is better. ;-) All that said, I now own the yellow gold with the "other" dial also based on a reference from the 1920s, shown below. This is the very limited edition that was launched to celebrate the opening of the first VC Boutique in the United States, on Madison Avenue in New York. I will admit, it is not as pretty as the original in rose gold, but it is very special and dear to me.
This was my first VC:
It had to be my first. it was love at first sight. As I said, it is iconic for the brand, instantly recognizable. The introduction of the manual wind caliber 4400 was made in this watch. It stands for everything VC does so well in a simple time-only watch with a twist. The grainy dial is superb. The hands, the tilted dial, the placement and axis of the running seconds subdial, the crown at 12 o'clock, the cushion shape, the lovely and interesting lugs. Indeed all of these elements are interesting and together create a total that is greater than the sum of its parts. It is quirky yet sublimely elegant. There is nothing else like it, indeed no other brand could have made it, and it is pure Vacheron Constantin. To my eye, the version above, the original in rose gold, is the prettiest. It has a warmth that the platinum lacks. The platinum is gorgeous, don't get me wrong, and knowing you are a white metal guy, it would suit you, Nicolas. But I will still say the original rose gold is better. ;-) All that said, I now own the yellow gold with the "other" dial also based on a reference from the 1920s, shown below. This is the very limited edition that was launched to celebrate the opening of the first VC Boutique in the United States, on Madison Avenue in New York. I will admit, it is not as pretty as the original in rose gold, but it is very special and dear to me.
All that said, I am going vote for the Chronometre Royal 1907 -- but here it must be platinum and not rose gold. Whereas the coldness of the monochromatic palette with icy blue numerals does not work for me completely in the 1921, it absolutely does here in the 1907. I guess for some reason, it is consistent with the cold singular mission of a chronometer, at least in my mind. The very pure dial in flawless (and I mean flawless) enamel also works so well with the platinum. If you have not already, you must inspect this dial with a good loupe and you will see the superlative job VC did on this dial. (Sorry Lange.) This is such a pure example of the finest watch making, and here again, it is difficult to imagine any other brand making this watch. But the beauty and interest of this piece is more subtle than the 1921. It would fly under the radar in most circumstances. It looks like a simple round watch, perhaps even in steel? But as its owner, you will know the dial is a spectacular example of enamel artistry, the weight of the platinum case will be unmistakable, the chronometer movement that even nods to the past with the "&" inscribed on the rotor will be appreciated by a select few.
I think you are right that the 1921 will wear bigger. It is 40mm in a cushion shape. The 39mm round case of the 1907 is smaller. The 1921 is 8mm thick, I believe, while the 1907 is in the 9mm range. I think the CR 1907 will suit your wrist better in terms of size. It is such an elegant watch, yet one that could be worn formally or casually.
I think you are right that the 1921 will wear bigger. It is 40mm in a cushion shape. The 39mm round case of the 1907 is smaller. The 1921 is 8mm thick, I believe, while the 1907 is in the 9mm range. I think the CR 1907 will suit your wrist better in terms of size. It is such an elegant watch, yet one that could be worn formally or casually.
I think if I were choosing just one, yes, it would finally be the Chronometre Royal 1907 in platinum. It was made in a very limited production and by my estimates far fewer than 100 were ever made. ( I think it was closer to 60-70 pieces, but that is just my guess based on some information I have learned.)
In truth, the Historiques Chronometre Royal 1907 in platinum is a Vacheron Constantin watch I feel I MUST have myself someday. How and when that will happen is another issue, but suffice to say it is at the very top of my very shortest list. What sacrifices will be made I have only contemplated in a cold sweat over the course of sleepless nights. I would do very bad things to have this watch finally on my wrist. I hope your path to one of these Historiques is easier, my friend.
All the best,
respo
12-4 for the 1921. Respo, what a great feedback you offered to us! At a certain moment, I thought you had both.
Yes, you said it eloquently, the CR has something very special. Charm? Soul? Something you have to spend time to fully discover what it is. The magic of the platinum case / enamel dial is another strong asset.
Yes, I think you are right about the prod number, too. But luckily, it is not as rare as the platinum / blue version.
Thanks for this superb answer, my friend.
All the best,
nicolas
Yes, I think you are right about the prod number, too. But luckily, it is not as rare as the platinum / blue version.
Thanks for this superb answer, my friend.
All the best,
nicolas
LOL...I only wish
I had the opportunity to try on the platinum CR and took some photos with which to torture myself.
Now the blue dial CR, that is the rarest of birds. I hope you don't have your heart set on that one. ;-)
All the best,
respo
The crown on the American won't survive a month and the Royal is a super-classic. And do you really want to wear a watch ...
on the inside of your wrist, anyway?
Hmmmmm... Food for thought... 12-5 for the Chronometre Royal, then. [nt]
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Respo said pretty much everything...
For me though, I would choose the 1921. I believe you and Joe refer to it as the “it factor,” and for me this is where I place the 1921. It just screams VC to me! In my opinion, VC represents classical design with a touch of quirky persona. When VC gets it “right,” well love...only love.
Sincerely and Respectfully
Joseph
That makes sense... Thanks for your input, Joseph. 14-4 for the 1921.
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Dear friends, please let me remind you that the 1921 was designed to be worn on the INSIDE of the LEFT wrist!
Its design goes back to the days when watch manufacturers were trying to sell to the then new & booming market of affluent motorcar-owners. The concept was that the watch could be read without taking the left hand off the steering wheel.
Yes, it can work on the outside of the right hand, but not as well as on the inside, and it doesn't work on the left hand at all.
Please forgive me if this is obvious to everyone, but nobody seems to have mentioned it.
Good question but in the end I tend to prefer the American 1921.
The shape, the movement... and the fact that the CR is totally overpriced IMHO.
Thanks!
Fx
Well, you can say the same about the 1921 in platinum... On the fact it is overpriced. But I do get your point, Fx. Thanks! [nt]
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The 1921 for me, too...
Probably my second favourite modern VC, after the even more off-beat 1972 