Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin's "watch year" runs from April 1 to March 31, and with that new year we sometimes get things like price increases and name changes. While some models are going to have slight increases in retail value starting then, a more noticeable change is going to come on the name front. The Patrimony collection as currently comprised consists of the Traditionnelle and Contemporaine families. Starting April 1 the Patrimony collection will split into two distinct lines: Traditionnelle as one, and Patrimony (formerly the Contemporaine) as the other. Here are two of the most attractive two hand watches on the market, one Traditionnelle and one Patrimony (if you'll allow me an early start with the new nomenclature), 41mm and 40 mm, respectively, with self-winding caliber 1120 and manual winding caliber 1400:


And then a nice his and hers pair from the Traditionnelle collection:


with their manual winding calibers 4400 and 1400, respecetively.

I am really tempted to make the Tradtionnelle self-winding above my next Vacheron Constantin unless an Overseas finds its way to my wrist first. Which might you prefer?

Bill

So the collection series is still Patrimony.
But with 2 distinct lines of Traditionelle and Patrimony?

Meaning a Patrimony Traditionelle and just a Patrimony (former Patrimony Contemporary)?

The white gold Patrimony traditionelle looks awesome! I have the rg version but now I feel the wg version is even more elegant (and yet not cold like some white metal watches as compared to their rose gold cousins).

Thanks for the update and wonderful pics as always!

Cheers
Robin

Hi Robin,

Old: "Patrimony Traditionnelle." New: "Tradtionnelle."

Old: Patrimony Contemporaine." New: "Patrimony."

The "Contemporaine" name will no longer be used. One thing I like about Vacheron Constantin is that we use names rather than reference numbers for the watches. It adds a touch of romance to the watches.

Bill

Yep agree on the names rather than just reference number. Brings more meaning to the timepieces.

Cheers
Robin

You know my mind is not what it used to be, and changes like these throw me for a loop.  :-D

This is an interesting decision.  I am only sorry to see the discontinuation of the word "Contemporaine," particularly with reference to the 81180 (what was that you said about referencing names v. numbers?). 

Now, the romantic pairs of photos on nearly the eve of St. Valentine's Day is a lovely idea, Bill. It was a good idea also to show the backsides of the His and Hers where we get a view of both the 4400 and 1400.  So beautiful.

Along this theme, here are a couple of other pairs I like:

I need something from the above two photos.

But I am interested to see if the Self-Winding Traditionelle or an Overseas lands on your wrist first.  Perhaps a slight delay on the Overseas and you will be able to see what is in store for the upcoming important anniversary of the model. 

Best

respo

 LOL, this is the kind of stuff that will drive vintage collectors nuts in a couple of decades.  Although it only affects the documentation, does this mean unsold stock will be renamed too or does it take effect for those pieces completed after April 1st?

...the name change is for the best - I too like the name vs. reference number, but the names were a bit long especially for typing on Internet discussion boards. 

especially because I have a good sporty stainless steel watch (though not from VC) in the rotation now.

Bill

As you know, the Traditionelle is my favorite dress watch. Ok I am biased as an owner but after more than 1 year of owning this watch, I never get bored of its looks (case, opaline dial with a dual tone look and the beautiful 4400 AS movement!). It has an enduring look that never gets boring.

Cheers
Robin

The Patrimony Traditionnelle is now called "Traditionnelle" and measures 41mm that's fine, I think I understand. But do I read correctly that it houses a self-winding 1120 caliber? Why not keep the manual 4400 which is very nice. While the picture below showing, I guess, the old "Patrimony Traditionnelle" has the manual 4400 caliber!

The Patrimony Contemporaine is now called "Patrimony" and measures 40mm, that's fine too, I still think that I understand. But again, does it use a manual winding 1400 caliber? If so, is this caliber not a little small for a 40mm case? Although, to my eyes and from the side by side picture the Patrimony looks bigger than the Traditionnelle.

Looking forward to be enlightened

Cheers

Francois from Down Under

 

I should have been more explicit in my naming of the Traditionnelle models in the post above. The 38 mm model with small seconds is called Traditionnelle. The rest of the collection gets other descriptive words added. The 41 mm rose gold piece shown is Traditionnelle Self-winding.

Bill

I think they want to separate and grow the respective collections.

The Patrimony Traditionelle is one of my personal favorite 3-hand watches.  I LOVE that watch in white gold.  

Hi Bill