Vacheron Constantin

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 1990's, VC more or less made exact modern copies of watches from the archives. With the American 1921, VC has made a contemporary classic informed by a vintage watch, now with a 40 mm case appropriate for today's tastes. When it came to the original line of Historiques watches, I found myself preferring to own fine vintage examples rather than the recreations with their outsourced movements. With the American 1921  I would rather own this watch than one of the 12 rare examples from 1921(-1931), regardless of value.

VC launched its new in-house caliber 4400 with this watch. In a previous post I expresed a few complaints about it, but I am making peace with the design and absolutely would not let a few quibbles prevent me from buying either this watch or the new Patrimony Traditionnelle that house it.

Bill
This message has been edited by WHL on 2009-08-04 11:19:06

Hi Bill,

I'm glad to hear that the 1921 is growing on you.  Its a design that I liked from the moment it was released, but then again I tend to favor non-round watches for dress wear.  I had an opportunity to try one on in NYC, this past May and its a lovely watch.  The proportions are perfect, the dial is elegant and would be a departure from my usual Roman numeral dials on dress watches.  Overall, this is a design that I adore.  My one issue is that the price does seem rather high for this piece.

Thanks for sharing some great photos of my favorite current VC model.

Best regards,

Dino

Trying it was a revelation, for me.

It has somenting really charming, appealing.

I would prefer it in white metal, but  even for a non colored gold guy like me, I'm tempted.

As for the movement, this is not the mpost fantastic VC has ever made, of course, but it is  not disturbing me a lot.

Thanks for this post and pics!

Aaah, by the way, do you have some pics of the original model?

Best,

Nicolas

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 was recently used for the platinum Quantieme Perpetual.  The American and QP both placed the winding stem was at the top left; perhaps to read while driving.  The 1921 positions the crown on the right, which works against reading while driving, so I'm very curious as to why this was done by the design team? 

Original American courtesy Antiquorum:

Platinum QP photo courtesy of Foversta:

VC made in only twenty examples of this QP and they are/were only available at the Geneva, Moscow, and Shanghai boutiques.

Bill

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 judgement...

Best,

Nicolas

That QP is really one hack of a nice watch. It very unique in it display for date moon phase and etc. It it really have the traditional american track style design encircling the number.  

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 lepine layout as in the watch above in a possible variation of the 1921.

Bill

Would you happen to know the list price of the QP?

but I must say that I found this new pink gold version,
one of the strongest watches of the last SIHH.
Beautiful concept, just like their discontinued Asymetrique.
GEO

e

Thank you Bill for posting.

The side of the case reminds me of the side of Quai de l'Ile....

Cheers

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 of the side a gentle arc on both watches.

Bill

 

I assume that you own the titanium one.....

Have you written a review previously?

Cheers

but I have a lot of pictures ready to go. This is the titanium model with day-date-power reserve. VC was kind enough to loan me the watch for an on-the-wrist review. 

Bill

No message body

i have to agree that tilted movement placement doesn't quite justify high price over its sisters...Nevertheless, its a beauty!

THx for the pics~

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.

I find it to be satisfying on an emotional level, a feeling that few watches can match. It is quite expensive for a three hand watch, but not many three hand watches can supply that feeling of joy like the American 1921.

 

Bill