WHL's 2013 Vacheron Constantin Collection Review

WHL · 2013-12-30T20:00:16Z

WHL reviews his 2013 Vacheron Constantin watch collection, detailing acquisitions like the Overseas Chronograph North American edition and the Historiques Chronograph, alongside pieces that left his collection. Discover a collector's journey.

WHL

WPS member · Vacheron Constantin forum

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WHL, a respected member of the Vacheron Constantin forum, shares his annual 'state of the collection' report for 2013, offering a candid look at the Vacheron Constantin timepieces that entered and exited his collection. His detailed post provides a valuable snapshot of a collector's journey, highlighting the dynamic nature of high-end watch collecting and the emotional connections formed with each piece. This retrospective offers insights into specific Vacheron Constantin references and the motivations behind a collector's evolving preferences.

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For the past several years I’ve been giving annual state of the collection reports about what has come in and out of my collection over the past year. Please indulge me in my 2013 edition of my year in VC.

First in was the Overseas Chronograph North American edition,

This watch was made in a series of 100 pieces in 2007 and was offered on both a black alligator strap with red stitching that nicely highlighted the red tones on the dial as well as the standard black rubber strap. I especially like the fact that it was a limited edition, that a couple of other PuristSPro.com Vacheron Constantin Forum participants had the watch, and that I could also put the beautiful stainless steel bracelet on it.

I finally parted with my Patrimony Contemporaine Excellence Platine this year:

This is one of my all-time favorite watches, but it found a good home, and allowed me to pick this gem:

The Historiques Chronograph in platinum with black dial, made in an edition of 25 pieces for the Taiwan market. The movement, of course, is the stunning caliber 1141:

It was a pleasure to own this reference again (long ago I had a yellow gold Historiques Chronograph with silver dial), but it too found a good home on another forum member’s wrist.

After parting with the vintage piece I was no longer with a VC on the wrist because I had to send my vintage XXL:

In for service, and as you all should know, servicing a vintage Vacheron Constantin means the piece goes back to Geneva and it takes a long time to get the watch back. While at the spa I will have a Certificate of Authenticity issued for the watch as well. I am very much looking forward to getting it back into the collection. I’m planning on having a black alligator strap with rolled edges put on the watch. Any other suggestions?

I plan on keeping this one for a long time, as I want to always have a vintage Vacheron Constantin timepiece in my collection, and I would be hard pressed to think of any other model that I would rather wear more on a daily basis, for its 38 mm diameter makes it just as great a dress watch today as it was back in 1950 when it was made.

With that reality I scrambled to find another VC, and I switched gears in a major way by choosing a pocket watch,

I need to thank tick-talk for being my source for this gem, which I did actually wear and enjoyed, but alas, I have no idea how this happened:

This one went back right away (and I learned that it too has to go back to Geneva for service, which I did not expect). So I am currently without a VC in my possession though I own a pair. Boo.

This is not to say I am without a watch, but it just isn’t a Vacheron Constantin right now. I look forward to getting my two VC’s back into my possession and seeing what 2014 has in store for my collection.

I did not get enough VC ephemera to make a special post: but I did get my Vacheron Constantin truffles just before Christmas, and (alas) shared them with my greater family, which devoured them in one sitting. ?

Happy New Year to all my forum friends and readers!

Bill
VC Forum Moderator

Key Points from the Discussion

The contributor expresses admiration for the watches featured in the review, acknowledging the author's 'nothing is forever' collecting philosophy, and anticipates future acquisitions and the return of watches from service.
The contributor praises the author's quick sale of a fantastic timepiece and highlights the value of the author's posts for the community, allowing everyone to appreciate the watches through shared images.
The contributor asks for a wristshot of the vintage XXL and inquires about the cause of damage to the sapphire on the author's pocket watch.
The contributor expresses interest in acquiring a specific piece if the author decides to part with it, humorously claiming 'right of first refusal,' and hints at a personal surprise for SIHH.

The Discussion

amanico

Dec 30, 2013

You have let the " Les Historiques " Black Dial go???

Damn, that is a big surprise! I would have bet on the keeper side of this Watch! Best, Bill. Nicolas

jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)

Dec 31, 2013

Did Bill say that Nicolas?

I didn't interpret it that way but I may be wrong. In any case, I recall we asked him to sell to us first if ever he wanted to sell haha. That was when he posted hos acquisition of this magical timepiece Cheers Robin

amanico

Dec 31, 2013

I fear, yes...

" It was a pleasure to own this reference again (long ago I had a yellow gold Historiques Chronograph with silver dial), but it too found a good home on another forum member’s wrist. "

jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)

Dec 31, 2013

Noooooo. ..

You are right Nicholas. I thought he meant the yellow gold version found a new owner initially. Cheers Robin

WHL

Jan 6, 2014

I did let the black dial Historiques find another home.

You snooze, you lose. :-) Bill

jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)

Jan 6, 2014

I only took a quick nap!

That was quick Bill! But then again... with such a fantastic timepiece, once you put it on sale, it would be have found a new home within a quick nap's time! Yes I snoozed, I lost :) Nonetheless, I can always look back at the post and the beautiful pictures you uploaded before. In that sense, everyone on this forum is a winner, thanks to your posts :) Cheers Robin