WHL's 2012 Vacheron Constantin Collection

WHL's annual review of his Vacheron Constantin collection offers a deeply personal reflection on collecting philosophy and the evolution of taste. His decision to re-engage with vintage pieces after previously divesting his collection provides a compelling narrative for fellow enthusiasts. This article explores the enduring appeal of specific vintage references and their place alongside contemporary models.

I have traditionally closed out the year on this forum with a review of the comings and goings of Vacheron Constantin watches in my collection. While the pace of action over the past few years has slowed down from the pace I had kept over the first half of this 21^st Century, I feel that the one item I added in 2012 is worth a few words. 

I had once been an active collector of vintage Vacheron Constantin wristwatches, and built up a collection of almost 20 of them, representing some important pieces from the 1940’s through the 1960’s. I wore, at least occasionally, each and every one of them, though I found myself most typically reaching for contemporary pieces for daily wear. Firmly believing that watches are meant to be worn rather than treated as objects of art, I eventually decided to part ways with my entire vintage collection, and you could even argue that I would no longer be a collector, but rather someone who would move serially from one watch to another to enjoy fully the ownership experience with it before moving on to similarly enjoy another watch.  So while I am still enjoying my Patrimony Contemporaine Excellence Platine:

And Quai de l’Ile:

These pieces suit my evolving preference for watches of larger size (being 40 and 41 mm in diameter, respectively). I took advantage of an opportunity to get back into vintage watches with a piece that I expect to wear with considerably more regularity than I had previously done due to its unusually large size, at least for a vintage watch.

The seed of my 2012 addition was planted in 2005, with my receiving Antiquorum’s catalog celebrating Vacheron Constantin’s 250^th Anniversary. This book, which I recommend every collection and fan of Vacheron Constantin watches add to his bookshelf, is a treasure of information and photographs of a number of rare and interesting Vacheron Constantin wrist and pocket watches. There was one cluster of lots that I found particularly impressive: Lots 228 though 234. These watches were all simple yellow gold watches from the 1950’s which best expressed the essence of Vacheron Constantin in this time period. I would add watches similar to those in Lots 228 and 231 in the years after the auction, but eventually moved away from them.

I wasn’t really on the lookout for anything new in 2012, but when a reference 4538, “XXL” watch, like Lot 229, showed itself to me, my passion for vintage VC was reignited with a vengeance. Coupled with the fact that its 38 mm diameter is perfectly comfortable to me and I would wear it with regularity, I decided to make it mine.

The lugs showcase the flair for design that Vacheron Constantin possessed in the 1950’s:

And the movement is my all-time favorite from the brand, the caliber 454:

Vacheron Constantin confirmed that the case and serial numbers match a watch that their records show was produced in 1950. What’s more, the watch is in excellent original condition, the only real fault being a bend in the second hand. I quite like the colored dial, and the snailing pattern in the track for the applied Arabic hours is irresistible to me.   

One of the joys of collecting vintage timepieces is the surprise at what might become available to the careful collector at any time.  Who knows what will be in store for me in 2013? What might be in store for you?

All the best to the fans and collectors of Vacheron Constantin in 2013!

Happy New Year!

Bill Lind

VC Forum Moderator