Vacheron Constantin

I can't believe I'm asking the general audience, but here goes: which color gold should I get the Patrimony Contemporaine 81180 in?

Yellow gold suits my skin tone and I have a long and happy history with yellow gold watches. When picking the Jubile 1755 I went with yellow gold.

White gold is stealthy, which is a quality I now appreciate. White metals are also a neutral platform for fitting different color straps on the watch. I would likely get the blue strap that goes with the platinum model, as well as a gray strap like is used on the SS/Ti OVerseas watches (though I don't think that VC makes this for the 81180 at this time).

Rose gold is just so damn pretty.

I know one of you has this watch in all three colors. That is NOT an option open to me at this time....

Thanks!

Bill

then white and then RG. I don't think it matters which color you take first... The set of three watches is incredible: the dials are a little bit different and match perfectly with the case. And the color of the straps suit perfectly with the case.

If you want to know which I like - I don't really know! The yellow is classic, the white is understated and the red gold is fantastic (and normally I don't like RG). All of these watches have their own personality and at the same time they are very similar. It is difficult to describe; similar in a positive way and different in a positive way, too.

Sometimes when travelling I enjoy playing with the watches. I select for all of them a matching Hermes tie and with the same people wear them watch after watch in different meetings or dinings. Nothing feels nicer than a friend saying on second dinner: I could swear that your VC was white, not red. And to reply: "are you color blind?". And then next day, changing the pink Hermes tie and watch to a similar tie but yellow, teke the YG watch and smile to the same guys...

Anyhow, never mind which you decide to take: this VC is a fantastic watch!

Best, Kari

Thanks for sharing your experience with all three watches. I know that there is no bad choice here. I'll be happy with any of the models, just in a different way with each of them.

Bill

Bill,

when I had the pleasure of wearing the white gold version I also considered to put it on different straps - when I tried several ones I realized that not all colours really suit the watch.

Since the dial of the WG version is opaline, I figured that black works best, burgundy/oxblood do work fine, cognac is not perfect, blue actually does not work that well - the platinum version features a more 'silverish' dial which works better with dark blue - at least to my eyes.

Other than that, I loved the WG Patrimony Contemporaire, especially with the opaline dial.

Cheers

Henrik

I appreciate the feedback on the various straps on the WG model. The black strap that comes with the watch is REALLY nice and I would probably just go with that and not bother with the hassle of changing....but I like having options.

Bill

special "trick" a lot

Oliver

The trick of changing straps or buying all three metals of a particular watch? The latter is not an option at this time, and while each metal is distinct, I've learned from experience that I don't like that kind of repetition in my collection. I would rather pair an Overseas with a Contemporaine, or a 1921 with a QDI.

Bill

for me, i'd love a grainy dial on white.

is fabulous. Photos don't capture just how nice these watches are. I would love to have the EP 81180, but that is not available to me at this time.

Bill

It's just my personal choice. I favour WG for watches with complications. And I humbly opine that YG is gonna be huge, and it's still the classic colour to go for anyway.

Best,

Horo

Yellow gold is my usual preference for a gold watch. I am struggling with choosing between what I like and the desire for something new and different.

Bill

...my deep experience and many years of collecting VC.  RFLMAO.  (I hope no one takes that intro seriously.)

If hunting the Excellence Platine is not desirable, and the new platinum case with the slate dial is not an option, I would go for the white gold.  As already said, it is stealthy, easier to match with a wider range of strap colors, etc. 

No matter what metal, this is perhaps my all-time favorite pure dress watch.  It is one of the six or seven Vacherons that I most desire. 

So is this really to be your next watch???

Best,

respo

I'll post the story of it when the watch is on my wrist.

Bill

opaline dial rather dull on the WG whereas it is gorgeous in RG or YG

when compared with the brightness of the Traditionnelle watches. It's part of the charm of the line.

Bill

... for me its the 82172 Patrimony Traditionnelle -- Rose Gold vs. White Gold? I am now 99% to the White, for the "stealth" factor and the sheer beauty.

I plan a trip to some NYC ADs next week to see what they have to try on (dangerous, I know)

I don't want to hijack your thread, but do you think the 82172 and 81180 are similar enough to have the same issues here ... what about dials?

ps: I AM a newbie!  Got my first VC a few months ago ... and its Rose Gold

and that is not the case with the Patrimony Traditionnelle dials. The silvered base is the same on these watches. The big difference is the color of the applied markers and the relative contrast of the gold hands over that silver dial.

I like all metal variations in both the Patrimony Contemporaine and Patrimony Traditionnelle line. The tough part if finding the right combination for me.

Keep us up-to-date on your journey for the right Traditionnelle for you!

Bill

First.
Hello Vachroneers!

I hope to be one, in the near future.

I think for a dress watch it is fine to go with something a little blingy, I mean ,it's a dress occasion. You put a good suit on, a good pair of shoes, maybe even cuff links, and then worry about being ostentatious? I say if yellow gold with diamond bezel takes your fancy, then go for it!

I also love rose gold. I have a ladies watch I bought just because I love the colour so much. Very autumnal . Unfortunately my wife doesn't like it,so it sits forlorn in a box. My daughter has her eye in it though..

I am always in two minds about white gold and platinum. It doesn't look like stainless steel and I'm not sure it really as subtle as people who wear it think.

Gold looks expensive and beautiful in all its guises. i say celebrate it.

As an aside.
The only watch that literally stopped me in my tracks walking past a dealers window in the City was a white gold dress watch with factory diamond bezel. From anyone else this would look tacky. Vacheorn of course managed to make it look astonishing.
If anyone has a photo of one I would love to see it.

My tongue is firmly in my cheek with the title of this thread

I am not one for diamonds on a watch that is going on my wrist. That said, when a watch is set with diamonds I always prefer white gold, which bring the diamonds to life. The diamonds lose their impact on a rose gold or yellow gold case.

I look forward to seeing what your first VC will be. I'll dig through my folders and see if I have any photos of diamond set bezel white gold watches.

Best regards,

Bill

(1) rose gold

(2) rose gold

(3) rose gold

Ha!  I am fortunate enough to have the rose gold version and its warmth really makes me happy every time I see and wear it.  I made the switch to a matte black alligator strap which I think really makes the case and dial 'pop'.  This is truly a choice where you cannot go wrong... or perhaps right.  : )   I suspect whichever you choose, while loving the watch, you'll always think of the other two!  Best of luck with the selection.  --CJ

Thanks for sharing. I agree that RG works well with both brown and matte black straps. Also, RG is the metal that has the most "pop." I question whether I want the pop or something more conservative.

Bill

Bill,

I just have to agree that RG has something warm and inviting about it's color. You're right that WG suits many many more straps but the metal generally leaves me feeling cold and unemotional.
Given that you've got YG in the past... and your most recent acquisition... I say give RG a shot!

Best,
Zack

It's good to see you on the forum. You and CJ both really like the RG, and that is understandable. All I can say is, "Stay Tuned!"

Bill