Vacheron Constantin

Dean (tick-talk) below asked a very interesting question that I am now asking readers on this forum to answer. From the poll that was recently taken Dean noticed that "only 32% of those that follow VC have actually owned one, while PP has 56% ownership among those interested in the brand.  What are the barriers that keep those interested from becoming owners?"

I would appreciate forum readers, both regular contributors and new posters, to share their stories about what they like, but not purchase, from Vacheron Constantin, for whatever reason. What are the variables at play in making your decisions to buy or not to buy? Is the opportunity cost to purchase a VC too great when compared with other purchasing decision (eg: "I could get two JLC for the cost of one VC.")

Bill

So, wil

- Firstly during auctions

- Dials are too clean, pure without enough warmth (too conventional) so emotively, the choice is less in his favor;

But "Les Masques" are incredible but not affordable by block of 4. A pity :-((((

Just my thoughts

Thanks for sharing your point of view.

Patrickh

a happy owner of a VC....



cheers

My collection did include a Patrimony Contemporaine but I reluctantly parted with it last year.  I know just enough about my tastes to know they are evolving.    I do like a lot of Vacheron's new offerings, including the new Patrimony chronograph, and I know at some point I'll add another Vacheron, but at present there's not a spot in my collection for a Vacheron that my budget will allow me to fill!

Best,

Jed

They have a history and some designs, and particularly design elements that I like. I don't own one because they don't have any design I like enough. that is I like a piece of this or a piece of that, but haven't found a piece that I really like enough to own. But there are enough pieces that I follow the brand, hoping they'll put them together in the right way for me!

A

_{^{For me, buying a VC, was based on a few things:}}

_{^{1.  being attracted to a specific design;}}

_{^{2.  VC's reputation for quality and their commitment to repair watches that are many decades old;}}

_{^{3. being the first person in our family to own a VC (when I bought my VC other family members had owned PPs, AP, and Rolex);}}

4.  The model I wanted was only slightly more expensive than a JLC Reverso I was considering, and it was significanly less expensive than similarly designed Pateks.

5. For me, VC makes high watches that are beautiful designs.  I have always found most Patek's a bit stodgy for my tastes, and AP's I've only really been strongly interested in their sports watches.

However, I have to admit my Father who owns/owned watches from competing brands (Patek, JLC, AP etc) was the first person to question my purchase, asking why I did not buy a PP.  He views VC as making a nice watch and would consider one, but has never pulled the trigger.  He says PP's resale value and high potential to increase in value overtime is something that would push him toward a PP over a VC.

Best regards,

Dino

 

Well, there is resale value, there is image, there is exclusivity. Aspects that are not of overriding importance for me. I live now, not in the future. And I live for me, not for others (or what others think of my taste in watches).
So I look at designs and the execution of these. I value wearing comfort. And I imagine living with a watch for years and then I ask myself "willI I still love her as when I met her first?"
And - I'm sorry to say - for most VC designs the answer is "no".

When I first saw the Patrimony Contemporaine I admired the design very much. But after looking at these watches for some time and having them in my hands several times, slowly the effect faded away. Even the Chronomètre Royal 1907 is not talking to me anymore. Too formal, too bland. And I was so impressed when I first saw the 1907! But it did not last. The design of the Patrimony Traditionnelle never draw me in in the first place. And I doubt it ever will. So far, the only VC design that kept my interest - and my lust ! - is the American 1921.

Compare that to Patek. From the first time I saw the 5127 and the 6000 and the Nautilus and the Aquanaut (no, the Overseas is not in the same league), I loved them and I still do, after all this time. I just bought a 6000 and I keep looking at the dial and then I do it again cause I forgot to look for the time ...
I think the collection of Patek is much more varied and their designs are mostly a lot more attractive and - very importantly - they stay fresh.
VC is behind the times. It is not enough to be number 2. And now - when I interpreter the poll right - VC is not even number 2 anymore.
And still, I keep hoping for better times. Because VC is such a sympathetic, less arrogant brand (in comparison to Patek or AP, in my opinion). Therefore I keep following them.

Does this answer your question, Bill?
This message has been edited by NoMilkToday on 2010-05-02 10:36:52

attracted to the elegance and slimness of vacheron's dress watches for many years but have only purchased a used cal 1003 in the last two years,which i'm very happy with,at a reasonable price.

However,the recent releases are very tempting,especially the chronometer royal and 1921. they are my current grail watches and  when funds are available ,will hope to acquire one or the other.I guess cost has been a restrainiong factor when contemplating this brand,but if the interest is sustained...

henry

I follow and do not own, not yet anyway.  For me, it's the lack of free sprung movements in the pieces which appeal to me design-wise (mainly the round, simple, two or three hands models). 

Actually, I had my first three VCs before I had my first PP. Two of them were vintage, though.

and i do, but i will chip in my 0.02 cent worth. i own 2 VCs,  Malte chrono and a regulator anniversary edition. i love both watches. i actually sold a 5070 to finance my Malte chrono purchase, with some spare change left. i also own a 5960p. there is constant reference and comparison between the PP n VC, but there seems to be a concensus that in the heirarchy of brands, PP "outranks" VCs. from the VCs n PPs that i own, i actually feel that PP is heading towards modernity, but VCs has a old world charm about it. someone mentioned residual values in a earlier post, i will agree to that, but if you look at the PPs, other then nautilus series and PP complications, i think they "depreciate" similarly to VCs on most product lines. strangely no one mentioned anoter richmont company Lange in this thread.

 

also, economic realities sets in, simply put. if i have budget for one watch, and the choice is between PP n VC, i guess most would go for the PP, sadly.