WHL, a Vacheron Constantin forum moderator, shares his journey into collecting pocket watches, embracing their archaic charm in a modern world. His acquisition of a Vacheron Constantin Ref. 57101 pocket watch is presented as a complement to his existing collection, highlighting its design and movement.
Considering the audience I am writing for here at
PuristSPro.com, it is safe to say that I’m not the only one here who loves collecting wristwatches while acknowledging that their utility as a timekeeper is secondary in this day when cell phones are on everyone at all times. Rather I collect for myriad reasons in addition to my expectation for an accurate timekeeper. I appreciate beautiful designs. I enjoy the historical aspects of watches. I collector for collecting’s sake, and draw meaning from my collecting experiences by connecting the dots between pieces to tell a story. But through it all I am always aware that I don’t really need a watch. They are archaic. And so...I have decided to embrace the archaic!
Every now and then I reposts pictures of the one and only pocket watch I have ever purchased. Here I go again:
And the movement:
I bought it because I like it and I never had any intention of ever wearing it. I eventually sold it, but there has always been a residue of desire because I didn’t feel like I was “done” with it. It didn’t help that with the Patrimony Contemporaine 81180 elevating to be my favorite dress watch and then the release of the Patrimony Contemporaine Excellence Platine Pocket Watch a couple of years ago, and then the rose gold model for regulation production this year re-stoked my desire. it didn’t help that during a trip to NY to see VC’s novelties in April I went with hewitgar to the Vacheron Constantin boutique and played with some nice vintage pocket watches that had been restored and marketed for sale in the “Collectionneurs” line. It didn’t help that in a sub thread the my article last month about my history of collecting that respo agreed that I would now “rock the pocket watch look!” And finally, it didn’t help that tick-talk has a great collection of vintage VC’s including pocket watches, some of which he is willing to part with.
And so, there is my latest:
This is Vacheron Constantin’s reference 57101 Pocket Watch, a beauty that captures much of the charm of the Patrimony Contemporaine watch, though it predates it by over a decade.
The yellow gold case is 44 mm in diameter, and it has four-body construction. The cuvette would be a wonderful platform for a custom engraving. Hidden behind the inner case back is Vacheron Constantin’s caliber 1701, based on the F. Piguet Calibre 15 ebauche. It beats at a leisurely 21,600 VPH, has a beautiful architecture, and is a pleasure to wind.
Part of the appeal of this watch is that it complements the vintage “XXL” reference 4538 in my collection, which also has a gold dial:
(The side by side photo will have to wait until the XXL returns from Geneva for service and a Certificate of Authenticity)
How archaic is this, going with a collection of yellow gold watches with yellow gold dials?
Wearing the watch has been fun, as I have a nice vest and some dress pants with fob pockets, though I am not yet “rocking” the look as I need to acquire some leather pouches and fobs to bring it all together. Stay tuned for a fashion shoot...
Bill
VC Forum Moderator
This message has been edited by WHL on 2013-09-30 19:59:29 
