Making a List
What are the three favorite Vacheron Constantin watches to have ever been in your collection?
I recognize that some forum participants do not have, or have had, this many VC watches in their collection, and propose that you answer by sharing the three VC’s that you have handled in person. As for myself, and in no particular order:
Chronometer Royal, reference 6161
This was only the third vintage Vacheron Constantin watch to enter my collection. I was initially drawn to the bold lug design, which was based on the 200th anniversary pieces of 1955, such as the reference 6099, which in turn is the inspiration for the current Historiques 1955, ref 33155. My example was crafted in 1959, and it features the calibre 1008/BS
I have always liked the calibre 453, which was the workhorse movement base for many of Vacheron Constantin’s watches in the 1940’s and 1950’s, including the stunningly beautiful triple calendar moonphase watches (references 4240 and 4461 are my favorites). It found its highest expression in the 1008/BS, where there was a lever to stop the balance when the crown was pulled out, to allow for precise time setting to a reference clock. In addition to the hacking function and extra jeweling, it also earned the Geneva Hallmark and has the highest possible quality of decorative finishing.
Patrimony Contemporaine, Excellence Platine, reference 81180
When Vacheron Constantin launched the Patrimony “Grande Taille” in 2004 I hated it. Dress watches were 36 mm or less, and complicated watches could be 38 mm. Anything bigger was a sports watch, period, and this was no sports watch! At that time I was very happy with my Malte Grande Classique, the first simple watch to employ Vacheron Constantin’s in-house calibre 1400. I loved the movement, and the 36 mm diameter. The finishing was top notch, and the winding feel second to none.
When 2005 rolled around and I wanted to participate in VC’s 250th anniversary , the only affordable watch for me was the 40mm Jubile 1755. I wasn’t exactly thrilled at the size when I saw the press release, but once I saw it in person, and that it just worked, I was excited have it and I reconsidered my previously held beliefs about the proper size for a dress watch, and was primed for the Patrimony Contemporaine (so renamed in 2006). I finally added this to my collection in 2011, a mere 7 years after the introduction!
While I would be happy with any standard version, this particular piece, with platinum dial and part of a limited edition Excellence Platine run, makes the experience just a little more special.
Overseas Chronometer, Ref 42042.
My first Vacheron Constantin, and so probably it is inevitable that it would be on my list. I purchased this watch in 2001, after having begun to collect watches a couple of years before. I was quite attracted to all the details of the design: the angles of the case, the mix of high polish and satin surfaces, the shape of the bezel and case back. And of course the rich blue dial with bold Arabic numbers. It was only years after the purchase did I learn that this particular dial was for a limited run of 75 pieces for the North American market!
It is safe to say that the Overseas was the watch went on my wrist more than any other. While collectors now demand that top tier brands like Vacheron Constantin produce in-house movements for their watches, the fact that the Overseas Chronometer did not have a manufacture movement didn’t bother me at all. The base movement from Girard-Perregaux proved to be reliable and accurate.
Final Thought
One thing that this exercise has revealed to me is that, though I have owned complicated Vacheron Constantin watches in the past, both vintage and contemporary, and watches that many of us hold in very high esteem, my favorite watches are the simple ones.
Bill Lind
VC Forum Moderator
This message has been edited by WHL on 2012-09-30 12:06:01
I must be a neighboring pea, living in the same pod as you, :-)
I say this because 2 of my top 3 are essentially the same as yours:
1. Ref. 61110 Chronometre Royale, made in 1955. Your post just made me realize that these lugs that I love so much were first introduced during the that this watch was made. I knew the facts previously, but you just helped me and 1+1 together - thanks!
2. Chronometre Royale from 1908. The CR first came out in 1907, so this one should be one of the earlier versions. I love how it still runs beautifully after over 100 years and is in fact one of my most accurate, mechanical, time pieces. A tribute to VC that has really stood the test of time!
3. Ref. 42042, Blue Dial OS from the First Generation. This choice is directly attributable to Bill, as I learned about its existence through this forum. I originally had the standard, silver, dialed version. But I found out that the contrast between the blue and white makes the date more legible to my eyes.
This message has been edited by dshao1 on 2012-09-30 14:39:06
tough
Jubilee 1755: A milestone in the brand's history and it houses VC's 1st ever fully inhouse automatic movement
Ref 4178: Iconic, one of the most beautiful chronographs of all time
Its tough for me to answer this as I only have 2 VC's...
a) Patrimony Ultra-Thin with Calibre 1003 (circa 1989/1990) - An amazing piece but too small for a man by today's standards.
b) Patrimony Traditionelle with Calibre 4400 - This I love as it is the first VC which i bought for myself.
If it is appropriate for me to answer by stating which three VC's I would love to handle for a day; then they would be:
- Atelier Cabinotier Minute Repeater in
Follow up on last email...
- Atelier Cabinotier Minute Repeater in RG.
- The original Malte Tourbillon in RG (with Power Reserve and Date).
- Patrimony Traditionelle World Time.
My two VC's...
I am planning to change the strap on the Ulta-Thin and give to my wife, as it is too small for today's standards.
I need another VC. Anybody have suggestions?
Do we have suggestions? That's funny!
Of course we have suggestions! Do you have anything in mind?
Given what you already have from VC, I suggest an Overseas, which is a good addition to any VC collection. You have to have a weekend watch with some serious water resistance right?
Or maybe you want to add a complication to your collection...so many choices there.
Ditto
Bill
Thanks Respo and Bill...I agree an Overseas would...
...complement my collection. The new OS with Blue Dial looks great, and so does the Dual Time.
Among VC's that I like:
- I love the WT, even more so that it has my country on it (India). But it appears a bit too thick for a VC. I have to try it on again to make up my mind.
- I am beginning to like the Patrimony Contemporaine Bi-Retrogade Day Date in PG.
- I love the Patrimony Traditionelle Chronograph in PG.
- The Patrimony Contemporaine with Calibre 1400 in PG is an evergreen VC, and the boutique edition with black dial is also gorgeous. Its unfair that because this piece is 40mm, there is no exhibition caseback. It would be nice if VC made a 36-37mm version with exhibition caseback, similar to the women's version, but that is 35mm.
- QDL date only in PG or in a White Metal or PG with full dial.
- Historiques Chrometre Royale in PG.
I guess I have listed some really expensive VC's, and if I get to own any one of these in the near future, I would be thrilled.
Those are all excellent choices for your next VC...
or even for your next, next, next VC. ;-)
Regarding your suggestion that VC perhaps make a Patrimony Contemporaine for men in the 36-37mm range with an exhibition caseback...well, they kind of offer that already in the Historiques 1955.
Thanks for your suggestion. But I already have the ultra-
-thin with same movement, though I understand it is not exhibited and not in gold. Besides, the 1955 is a beautiful piece, much more than mine. I tried on the 1955 and it is a beauty.
I would like to see some mid-segment complications from VC. Perhaps a successor to the Dual Time Regulator, and something that involves their gold-engraved moonphase. I read somewhere that the Malte Moon-phase with PR is being changed !
I love the WT, but is is too expensive and a bit too thick, at least for me.
Another list
Well, my relationship with Vacheron Constantin is still young, so I fear that I am not experienced enough to participate in this game, and I certainly cannot approach it without sounding like a broken record since I have already written about two of my choices ad nauseum.
Historiques American 1921
As Alex already wrote above, the American 1921 has become a modern icon. It was also my first VC and remains the one I would choose again as my first watch from this brand had I to do it all over. I do find myself gravitating more and more toward simple watches, and the 1921 is a simple watch – just with a twist.
Historiques Ultra-Fine 1955
S o deceptively simple, the 1955 surprised me from the moment I put it on my wrist. It is simply a perfect watch. It houses the killer caliber 1003/3 serving the watch world for 57 years and going strong as the thinnest mechanical movement. The watch itself is impossibly thin, thinner by 1mm than the original watch from 1955 that inspired this Historiques 1955. Unbelievable! And it remains the thinnest mechanical watch in the world. I admire that the VC team deployed every possible design element toward the goal of achieving the thinnest watch without sacrificing robustness.
More importantly to me, from the moment I strapped it on for the first time, the 1955 felt like coming home, as if I had been wearing it for decades. I have only one other watch that has ever felt like that, so I knew it was a good sign. The bridges and plates are in 18k 4N rose gold, which takes this watch over the top for me, even though looking at the watch from the dial side, one cannot imagine anyone ever referring to this watch as “over the top.” The 4N rose gold, by the way, really lies somewhere between rose and yellow gold and has a very warm feel to it. There is nothing I do not admire nor love about the 1955, but perhaps its best feature is that it is so unassuming in its presence. It is, as we sometimes like to say, a very stealthy watch.
Since, Bill, you said we could list watches we have handled even if we have not owned them, I will “jump” to my third, a watch I hope to own someday.
Saltarello
I had the chance to try this very Saltarello out last summer at a Vacheron event. Mike let me play with his new baby for a good part of the luncheon and I was hooked. I have not yet seen a Mercator in the metal, and I suspect it would supersede the Saltarello in my view as the more iconic piece from Vacheron Constantin. Still, the Saltarello has it all for me. 1) A good size, wearing larger than its stated size due to the squarish cushion shape. 2) There is a killer movement with a skeletonized rotor that I wish VC had put on some other models with the same movement (including the Mercator). 3) Then there is the alternative time display that is such a rich part VC’s heritage. With a jump hour and retrograde minutes, the instantaneous ballet occurring at the top of the hour is magical. I must have one of these. I feel certain Mike is already beginning to tire of his and looking to place it in a good new home…;-) Just nod your head in agreement, Mike, so I can keep the fantasy alive.
Well, that's my list with probably no surprises to anyone.
Best,
respo
Where is that PT Historiques Chrono with Salmon Dial?
Thanks for the kind words.
WOW! WHAT A DILEMMA!
Joseph
How about another game?
We all get to list our three favorite watches from Joseph's collection? ;-)
All best,
respo
But I think that would make this game even tougher
Uhhhh...
And one more to pick up which as the French say, Une surprise formidable!"
Joseph
Easy list for me.
2/ Mercator Europe:
3/ Minute Repeater:
4/ Sputnik:
5/ Malte QP Chrono:
It can't be better than that, for me...
Aaah, yes, a Vintage Chronometre Royal, and a Vintage Triple Date moonphase would be awesome choices, too.
Best, Nicolas
Wait....
Naah, but trust me, if I ever see the Sputnik
I will not only see it, but I will grab it!
Am I called Vlad, or not???
Best
Nicolas
let me add my list...
1. won't come as a surprise that this QdI Tantalum from a limited edition is my all time favorite VC
2. Patrimony Bi-Retro "Cortina"
3. Malte Tourbillon
Cheers,
Radek
Hiya Radek
So now you're into the artsy photos too!! That tourbillon pic is pretty cool ) I was wondering about tantalum...is it hefty like platinum? Any distinctive feeling to the metal?
BTW, hope you're up for a jog around Lac Leman in the New Year ;-)
Hi Dean,
I am sure taking you on that run buddy!
As far as tantalum is concerned, I really love the look of it. Gives the watch a stealthy feeling to it and hase a bluish/grey hue to it depending on the light. It sure goes well with the palladium case which indeed feels like platinum as far as heft and shine. Great piece, that one...
See you soon, bro ;-)
Radek, love the pic of the tourbillon. Also, I am beginning...
And neither of us listed this one, Radek...
