Vacheron Constantin

The Internet is such a wonderful tool for watch collectors. Not only do we share our knowledge about watches, but it allows for a global marketplace. ThePuristS was the first place to have a dedicated Vacheron Constantin forum, and I came here right from the beginning to learn about VC watches, which had captured my attention. A decade ago it was hard to come by information on the brand, its history, and technical details about the watches. That is no longer the case.

In going public with watches in my collection, people know what I have, and every now and then I get asked privately if I am interested in selling a watch from my collection. This recently happened to me with respect to my Overseas Chronograph North American Edition.


Though I had not had the watch for a long time, and only for a very short time on the bracelet, an email came to me this month, asking if I would be willing to part with my Overseas. While this was sooner than I would have expected to part with it, I am always willing as it helps to make room for my next Vacheron Constantin (and there is always a next Vacheron!). We agreed to terms, and I had to scramble for a new VC (my vintage piece is with VC for service, and won’t be back on my wrist until late this year/early next year) to wear immediately.

And so the search began (on the internet as I don’t currently have the jones for a brand new watch). It ended quickly:


It made perfect sense: “trading” one limited edition white metal black dial chronograph for another limited edition, white metal, black dial chronograph, only tilting the feel of the watch towards dress from sport.

The Historiques Chronograph is iconic modern Vacheron Constantin, its design based on the important vintage reference 4178. There are five variations on the reference 47101 or 47111 design (the different numbers referring to slight differences in case design involving snap on or screw down case backs). It came in yellow gold with a silver dial, yellow gold with a black dial, platinum with a silver dial, platinum with a salmon dial, and finally, platinum with a black dial. This last one being marketed exclusively in Taiwan and made in only 25 units (though the watch is not marked as being limited). While the limited nature of this piece appealed to me, I probably would have considered on any of the platinum variations.

I had been an owner of the yellow gold Historiques with silver dial long ago. I liked that watch, but at that time I wasn’t often dressed in a suit, and the watch had a more formal quality with the gold hands and gold ring around the outer edge of the subdials. It bothered me ever so slightly. Platinum, of course, has a stealth quality that lends itself to working well in any outfit, which I appreciate. I finally have a good shot of the texture on the dial (the glare couldn’t be helped):


The calibre 1411 deserves all the praise it gets:


It is a dream to look at, and the winding and chronograph start/stop feel is superb.

What will be next for me when this watch finds itself in another home? I don’t know for sure, but I can see myself finally trying out the American 1921, which I have admired from afar for too long.  But who knows: something interesting might come up before then. The journey of collecting is such a blast, isn’t it?

Bill
VC Forum Moderator
 

But you know I am totally biased when it comes to Les Historiques Chronograph.

Best,

Nicolas

It is a great watch. Are you still waiting for a Mercator?

Bill

Basically, yes!

I found a Germany Enamel Cloisonné, but I was more after an " America "...

Best, Bill.

Nicolas

2 collectors and rare watches.

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Hi Bill,

I hope to see a VC back on your wrist in the near future.

Bill

Love the watch and its dial guilloche, may it only time happy moments for you!

Sorry to hear the US Overseas had to go. But hey, a refreshed Overseas with a brand new movement is just around the corner, right? I'm betting the 260th anniversary of the maison will be it for the new in-house chronograph movement as well as an update on the Overseas design.

Best always!

I hope it is sooner in coming rather than later!

I recall reading that VC is developing both a manual winding as well as an automatic chronograph.....I hope I can swing both in due time!

Bill

A rare find indeed!
And a real beauty too.
Wear it in the best of health.
Joseph

July has been a good month for watch acquisitions for us, hasn't it?

Bill

Bill

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It please let me know. I might be interested.

I hope all is going well with you.

Bill

This is indeed a special watch, and by that I mean the Historiques Chronograph in any variation is special.  This is one of the few instances when I love every variant -- every dial color and every metal.  I could see someone collecting all variations of the 47101/47111 -- I would totally understand this madness.  :-D

I like the subtle variations in the pushers (sometimes rectangular and sometimes oval as well as the hands (sometimes striped black or white and sometimes plain). This is old school V&C, when small batches were produced with very slight changes in hands, crowns, etc. differentiated one batch from the next. 

The size of this one at 36-37mm is lovely.  The proportions overall are perfect, and look how nicely that movement fits the case -- there can be no complaints here.

It is actually quite wonderful that tis was a version produced in a limited quantity for a specific market and yet was not marked as such.  This is a nice model for how limited editions can and, perhaps, should be done. 

Bill, you are very upfront about your collecting practices at the start of your post.  I appreciate your sharing your thoughts and methods on this.  I am very sorry to see your US Edition Overseas go so soon -- or even at all -- but in the long run you get to experience living with many more VCs than I do.

I really do hope that you keep this Historiques Chronograph long enough so that you and I can get a side-by-side photo of ours together.  I don't think I have ever seen such a photo before.

 

Congratulations, again on this amazing catch.

 

Best always,

respo   

so we can take a platinum Historiques Chronograph trifecta photo!

Thank you for the kind words on the review and watch. I'm wearing it today so I'll try to get a proper wristshot.

Bill

I think! I could not have separated myself from the Overseas Chronograph US Edition as I think it is a special piece and beautiful at that too but, when it comes to The Historique Chronograph, the idea of my eyes not having the pleasure of admiring this piece of Horology surpasses the idea of "collecting" in this manner. What IS collecting? 

What IS collecting?  This is probably a good question to pose on the HoMe forum for broader discussion by the Purists. I would like to see and participate in such a discussion.

For now, I will only say that in my time here on PuristS and since I have been collecting watches, still as a relative newcomer after only 5-6 years, I have learned that there are many ways to collect.  And we each have to find our own path. 

You described yourself as an "extremely small "watch/time piece" collector" with 10 watches. Well then, I am an even smaller collector.   But even those of us who either choose to keep our collections small or must keep our collections limited due to our respective resources can still collect.  One of the things I have learned from our dear Moderator, Bill, is that by collecting watches serially rather than permanently, one can live with and experience a number of pieces than would be otherwise possible if one collected each new piece with the commitment to never sell.  I actually think this is a fine approach to collecting -- not for everyone, but certainly for some.   

I continue to watch other collectors here on PuristSPro with great fascination to learn the secrets of collecting. And I have much to learn.

 

Best regards,

respo

there was a period where I had over two dozen VC in my collection! Now I am a serialist. I can't say how things might change in the future, though I do know they will be centered around VC.

Bill

I would love to know the 24 pieces you collected. I value your thought process and what direction your collecting took you. 

and as many photos as I can find and make one or more threads about it. (I like now how the PuristSPro platform retains all photos now....but having changed computers and service providers since my early online days, I fear that some photos of watches from my collection are lost forever).

Bill

Even if photos lost,I would value what items you had

Bill as you probably know by now I am a sucker for traditional chronographs with beautiful horizontal coupling movements. Esp with white metal and black dial (like my Lange Dato and more recently Montblanc Villeret).

Your VC historiques Chrono is one of those I love and find on par with my 2 fine chronos (perhaps even more exclusive and beautiful! ).

Great choice and this one is definitely a keeper (unless you wanna sell to me... kidding) !

Cheers
Robin

By the numbers, I think your MB Villeret is more exclusive. (FWIW, I was tempted by a platinum Villeret, serial 1, a few years ago that was in the NY boutique, though it was not a chronograph).

Bill

Lovely in platinum with black guilloche dial  The lugs give a wonderful presence.  Have you ever compared the VC Lemania to Breguet's iteration?  Just wondering if there is an appreciable difference.

to compare with the 1141.

Bill

I saw the yellow gold/ black dial version many years ago at our former local VC AD.  It was a beautiful watch, but the black and platinum is really a step beyond that in terms of versatility and beauty.  I love the textured dial.

we certainly should try to get together before I part with his watch....it has been too long. I hope all is well with you and J.

Bill