Vacheron Constantin

summary and follow-up: The infamous cal. K1001 vs K1014 argument - II

 

There have already been serious discussions about the valuation and reception of the V&C movement caliber K1014 and in my opinion they are both quite worth to reflect on.

'The Decay of the Angel' by Carlos Perez, July 2002
Alas it appears that in the late 1970s (or early ’80s) that Vacheron Constantin either elected, or was forced to give up the 1001 and 1002, and take up the inferior 818 which it re-dubbed caliber 1014. This movement did not feature the option of a free-sprung escapement, and it does not appear that Vacheron Constantin would often elect to brand it with the Geneva hallmark, if ever. It was of course finished to the high Genevois standard in all other regards. Caliber 1014 has formed the backbone of Vacheron Constantin’s production of hand-wound wristwatches (as shown above) for nigh on a quarter-century, a movement which in recent years it has had to share with Chopard, Breguet, and perhaps others, though Jaeger-LeCoultre itself elected to stop using it several years ago. The shift from the 1001 to the 1014 is akin to the technical and aesthetic decline of Patek Philippe’s 23-300 PM to their present 215 PS, if only steeper. …."
Secondly I would like to mention the answer on a question about the Perez article
by Dr. Roland Ranfft, February 2012
"... Obviously the author believes that kind of evolution after Darwin's laws takes place in a certain watch company. I don't want to steal him his religion, but my view is different: Movement designs are updated or completely replaced to enhance the the profit within short, medium or long term. Redesign of a movement is a balance between enhancement at moderate effort to achieve a reasonably higher price, and degrading with remarkable savings, leaving the reputation of the brand to advertising. An odd job though to compare movements. I don't feel able to do so, because there are too many variables, and a comparison after my preferences would likely be bull...t for others. So why boring them? Back to the LeCoultre 818. It is a straight forward design after best watch school education, nothing really exciting though, but also no visible deficits. But what more should I expect? Flower decorations? Curled bridges? 1mm height? I if I compare with some new designs with their decoration overkill and ridiculous balances I know well what to prefer. …"
The words of François Constantin: “ ...Do better if possible, and that is always possible...”
Why both opinions seem to be correct in the first sight:
Why both opinions seem to be wrong on the second sight:
As I have explained before, the both opinions Perez vs. Dr. Ranfft seem to have their week spots.
Now we go right along and deconstruct the K1014 movement and compare every single part.
Therefore we change to a starting point closer to the origin of the K1014 movement. So the picture would quite well look more like this.
This picture (below) shows a Vacheron cal. K1001/2 movement from late 1960's or early 1970's (left side) and a Vacheron cal. K1014 movement from early 1970's (right side).
The development seemed to have been necessary to fight the watch companies economical setting within the late 1960's, with the triumph of the micro quartz and the corresponding decline in demand. Also the decline by the oil crisis in the early 1970's and last but not least the advent of vulgarity and the decline of the traditional gentlemen, which could be synonym for late 1960's and early 1970's social or youth movements - the beat generation, all change was ending up in a further decline in demand (in total figures and probably therefore in price).
When I look at that two movements, immediately something is itching my eye, look at that very detail (the red 'X').
Wasn't there something looking quite inconsistent?
Should this have been made by Vacheron watch production staff?
I would say 'no way, far behind the standards'. Even a quite different standard, that's maybe Jaeger LeCoultre standard.
That's something you could expect at a watch movement for an economic price.
Let's check that.

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