Comments:
Contemporain automatic
I will greatly appreciate any reviews or thoughts from owners of this relatively new model.
I haven't been able to see it in metal yet. I had set my mind on the beautiful handwound, but after trying it on my wrist a couple of times - the last time with my wife as judge! - I sadly had to realize that the very flat look of the watch made it look awkward on my wrist. Like I was only wearing the dial. I'm sure it'll be fine for many others, but disappointingly not for me.
But I do fancy the basic design of this Patrimony very much, and I'd love to own a Vacheron, so my focus is turned to the automatic, which, according to Alex'es introduction long time ago, should be thicker and appear more harmonious in that sense.
From the photos I find the auto looks very attractive, and it has advantages in comparison with the handwound: The second hand, the date, the see-through-back. I'm not quite sure about the date window, though it looks very quiet and harmoniously placed. The new 2450 looks intriguing, and though I'd prefer a handwound, I'd be more than happy with this automatic.
Many thanks in advance for your response.
Best regards,
Sven
I haven't been able to see it in metal yet. I had set my mind on the beautiful handwound, but after trying it on my wrist a couple of times - the last time with my wife as judge! - I sadly had to realize that the very flat look of the watch made it look awkward on my wrist. Like I was only wearing the dial. I'm sure it'll be fine for many others, but disappointingly not for me.
But I do fancy the basic design of this Patrimony very much, and I'd love to own a Vacheron, so my focus is turned to the automatic, which, according to Alex'es introduction long time ago, should be thicker and appear more harmonious in that sense.
From the photos I find the auto looks very attractive, and it has advantages in comparison with the handwound: The second hand, the date, the see-through-back. I'm not quite sure about the date window, though it looks very quiet and harmoniously placed. The new 2450 looks intriguing, and though I'd prefer a handwound, I'd be more than happy with this automatic.
Many thanks in advance for your response.
Best regards,
Sven
Sorry
I was under (false) the impression that they had hit the stores a couple of months ago. I guess I'll have to wait patiently, although it's hard! :-). I am very anxious to see this model in metal and compare it with the handwound.
Thanks Alex,
Sven
I personally prefer this version (even though in general I prefer
manual wind) just because the case diameter to thickness ratio is perfect. It really is a great watch, I'm normally partial to watches with a max size of 37mm but this one looks really good on the wrist.
case thickness
Hi Sven,
I think you had asked for case thickness of the two Patrimony Contemporaine models:
The manual is 6.7 mm and automatic is 8.31mm
I think you had asked for case thickness of the two Patrimony Contemporaine models:
The manual is 6.7 mm and automatic is 8.31mm
Thanks again, Alex
Those extra mm's may be the crucial difference for me.
8.31 mm is a well-proportioned thickness.
Yes, these Contemporaines are amazingly beautiful. I get the feeling of old times in prewar Europe. Elegant ladies on the dance-floor, gentlemen drinking whiskey sour in Chesterfield lounges. Since I'm from 1947 it can't be better.
And by trying out a YG handwound I discovered another thing: VC's YG works for me. I didn't expect that in advance - at all. I had set my mind on WG or RG, but the YG on this Patrimony looks very intriguing, even a bit mystical, since you don't say: This is yellow gold at the first glance. It's very light, bright, almost transparent in the glow. Lucky for me, since the auto only comes in YG and WG.
Well, I shall wait with great optimism.
Best,
Sven
8.31 mm is a well-proportioned thickness.
Yes, these Contemporaines are amazingly beautiful. I get the feeling of old times in prewar Europe. Elegant ladies on the dance-floor, gentlemen drinking whiskey sour in Chesterfield lounges. Since I'm from 1947 it can't be better.
And by trying out a YG handwound I discovered another thing: VC's YG works for me. I didn't expect that in advance - at all. I had set my mind on WG or RG, but the YG on this Patrimony looks very intriguing, even a bit mystical, since you don't say: This is yellow gold at the first glance. It's very light, bright, almost transparent in the glow. Lucky for me, since the auto only comes in YG and WG.
Well, I shall wait with great optimism.
Best,
Sven
Hello Sven!
I see you are still looking and longing for that elusive Contemporaine.
VC's yellow gold in general does not come out gaudy as some cheaper brand's YG models do. As you mentioned, the color tone of the YG is very subtle, and personally YG is a color that blends and looks even better as we mature (might be a little too early for me as I am merely a vintage '68).
Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures from the sides when I had the chance to handle both Contemporaine models. However, and as Alex pointed out, the extra thickness does give the 40mm dial much better proportions. Even with the date window, second hand, and automatic movement with full-size rotor, VC has managed to come out with a handsomely slim case.
The date window, which may be a niusance to some, also serves to "fill up" the otherwise empty dial space. The vast area of empty dial space in the 40mm case of the Manual Wind creates an optical illusion which makes the dial seem even larger than it really is (I have a 40mm Jubilee and it does not look as big because of the sub-dials).
Anyway, hopefully you will be able to meet up with the Contemporaine Automatic soon. It is definitely worth the wait.
Best Regards,
Kazumi
VC's yellow gold in general does not come out gaudy as some cheaper brand's YG models do. As you mentioned, the color tone of the YG is very subtle, and personally YG is a color that blends and looks even better as we mature (might be a little too early for me as I am merely a vintage '68).
Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures from the sides when I had the chance to handle both Contemporaine models. However, and as Alex pointed out, the extra thickness does give the 40mm dial much better proportions. Even with the date window, second hand, and automatic movement with full-size rotor, VC has managed to come out with a handsomely slim case.
The date window, which may be a niusance to some, also serves to "fill up" the otherwise empty dial space. The vast area of empty dial space in the 40mm case of the Manual Wind creates an optical illusion which makes the dial seem even larger than it really is (I have a 40mm Jubilee and it does not look as big because of the sub-dials).
Anyway, hopefully you will be able to meet up with the Contemporaine Automatic soon. It is definitely worth the wait.
Best Regards,
Kazumi
Many thanks, Kazumi, for ...
... your kind comments and very useful and accurate reasonings. I highly value your opinions and impressions about this watch. It helps a lot knowing the reality-checks by you and Alex, and I'll be looking forward to do it myself.
It was set-back discovering that the manual wound didn't work for me - because of something as banal as the thickness. Usually it's the other way around: too thick watches. I had that feeling with IWC's 5001 for instance. Anyway, those Contemporains are great, whether hand- or automatically wound.
Thanks again, Kazumi and the
Best wishes,
Sven