Vacheron Constantin took a bold step with the launch of the Quai de l’Ile collection of watches in 2008. With a modular case that could be customized by the customer to contain combinations of palladium, rose gold, and titanium and a sapphire crystal dial that gave the watch a futuristic look, it broke dramatically from the more conservative stylings of the Patrimony collection of watches. There were two models: The Quai de l’Ile Date:


and the Quai de l’Ile Day-Date and Power Reserve:


The cushion shape of the case, with its 41 mm diameter, gave the watch a nice presence on the wrist, and the ability to change between rubber and crocodile straps lended a nice versatility to wearing the watch, as it complemented both casual and dress attire.


While the Quai de l’Ile found an audience with younger collectors and those who appreciated the “new watchmaking” efforts of independents like Vianney Halter, MB&F, and Urwerk, the designers had gone a little too far ahead of the typical Vacheron Constantin collector. At SIHH 2011, Vacheron Constantin introduced models with solid dials, and kept the sapphire dials as an option for those who prefer it:


Vacheron Constantin also introduced a new model into the Quai de l’Ile collection at that time, the Retrograde Annual Calendar:

This is the first watch from the brand to feature the annual calendar complication, which accounts for the varying lengths of all months of the year except for February, which will require the user to manually adjust the watch to March 1.

The case of the Quai de l’Ile Retrograde Annual Calendar, bumped up to a 43 mm diameter, is only offered in rose gold or white gold (Palladium is not as accepted in the important Chinese market as white gold is), or in personalized combinations of those two metals if the buyer wants to customize the watch to suit his taste, which can be done at Vacheron Constantin’s website.

The movement is based on Vacheron Constantin’s in-house self-winding calibre 2460, which has subsidiary seconds at 9 o’clock. The 2460 QRA, as it is officially designated, adds moonphase, month, and retrograding date, all of which can be corrected quickly via recessed buttons around the flanks of the case.


The 2460 QRA consists of 326 parts, more even than are found in the Patrimony Contemporaine Perpetual Calendar (276 parts)! There is no doubt that the work under the dial is tremendous....it is too bad that there isn't a sapphire dial version.


The dial on the standard rose gold model is silvered, though one can choose a dark ruthenium toned dial for a more customized look. The dial features multiple layers and finishes, and though it looks complex, it is quite legible.

Vacheron Constantin has taken its time in creating a timepiece with the annual calendar complication, but the wait has been worth it, and the brand’s interpretation is both interesting and unique.

Bill
VC Forum Moderator