Nicolas (amanico) presents a thought-provoking dilemma, asking collectors to choose between two distinct Vacheron Constantin platinum timepieces: the Les Historiques American 1921 and the Chronomètre Royal. This comparison delves into the unique characteristics of each, from their movements and case shapes to their overall aesthetic and historical resonance, prompting a lively debate among enthusiasts.
If I think about modern Vacheron Constantin watches, there are a few which come to my mind, such as the Malte Chronograph Perpetual from the Excellence Series, the Malte Chronograph, too, the Mercator Enamel Champlevé, and... The Les Historiques American or the Chronometre Royal, both in platinum.
I know, some will tell me why choosing between these two last Vacheron... They are so different in their style and movements, one being round, the other cushion shaped, one having a manual winding movement while the other houses an automatic and chronometer movement, and so on... And they will be absolutely right!
But, as someone said, " choosing is renouncing " and we cannot always have everything we want. So, if there was only one to get between these 2, which one would it be?
The American 1921 Platinum?
Here a better view of the movement, from the rose gold version:
Or the Chronometre Royal Platinum? ( The first picture has to be credited to Shopify, the two others to Hodinkee.
I will add a picture of the movement side from the rose gold version I took some years ago:
Personally, each time I hear or read Chronomètre, my heart beats faster. And I would have preferred it with a manual winding movement and a red 12. Even if the automatic movement is far from being unpleasant to see!
But, still, it is a Chronometre, and I am deeply in love with its cold appeal.
The American 1921 Platinum has the advantage ( for me ) of a manual winding movement which I find a bit small for this case, but eye catching, and a superb grained dial. The blue indices give some life to the watch, and an indisputable cool factor.
With its tonneau shaped case and its crown at the top right, it is not a common watch. While the Chronomètre Royal is more conventional, for sure.
The size doesn't make a big difference, as, if my memory serves me well, they are about the same, but in the metal, the American 1921 wears bigger, and seems to be thicker, too.
I think I advocated for the " both " solution, but it wouldn't be fun... Let's stick on my first proposal: Which one among these 2?
Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,
Best,
Nicolas
About the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ref. American1921
The Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 is a distinctive reinterpretation of a cushion-shaped watch originally produced by the manufacture for the American market in the 1920s. This reference is characterized by its unique diagonal display, with the crown positioned at the 1 o'clock position and the dial rotated 45 degrees clockwise. This design was historically intended to allow drivers to read the time without removing their hands from the steering wheel, offering both a functional and aesthetically unconventional presentation within the Historiques collection.
This particular iteration of the American 1921 features a case crafted from precious metal, often rose gold, with a polished finish that highlights its cushion shape and stepped bezel. The watch is typically fitted with a manual-winding mechanical movement, visible through a sapphire crystal case back, providing a power reserve suitable for daily wear. The crystal protecting the dial is also sapphire, ensuring clarity and scratch resistance.
The American 1921 appeals to collectors seeking pieces with historical provenance and an unconventional design. Its distinctive orientation and vintage inspiration make it a conversation piece and a unique offering within Vacheron Constantin's contemporary lineup. Various sizes have been produced, catering to different wrist preferences while maintaining the core design principles of the original 1921 model.
Specifications
- Caliber
- Caliber 4400 AS
- Case
- 18k rose gold
- Diameter
- 40mm
- Dial
- Silver
- Water Resist.
- 30m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
