Vacheron Constantin

A passel of Vacherons!

 

A couple of weeks ago I posted a photo of a pair of Vacheron Constantin Overseas watches sitting side-by-side:

I had done so in the context of reviewing the thousands of photos on my hard drive, and in the process I noticed just how few photos I had taken where more than one watch was the object of composition. Conspicuous by their rarity, I thought it might be interesting to tell the stories behind those few photos.

As I mentioned in my original post, the photo above was meant to show the difference in the size of the heads of the older Overseas Chronometer with the updated Overseas along with the dramatically redesigned bracelet employing Vacheron Constantin’s signature Maltese Cross.

How can one justify having two of the same watch?


I could make a case for having the same reference but with a different dial or case material, but two identical watches?!? The explanation is simple: Though I purchased both of these watches, I was acting of behalf of another collector for one of them. I was in the market for the Patrimony Ultrathin, refrence 33093, with the classic caliber 1003, and found a retailer with two examples in the showcase. My friend was also in the market for this watch. He was in a foreign country and wanted me to hold on to the watch until he could come to the US to pick it up in person. I sent him photos like this heighten his anticipation.

This next photo was taken for a short article I wrote on a pair of ultrathin “His and Hers” Vacheron Constantin watches.


The similarity in styling is obvious, with both watches sharing roman numbers, feuille hands, and the caliber 1003.


And being ultrathin, the profile is worth seeing (I love the vertical brush finish on the side of the case of the reference 33093. It is a wonderful touch).


And one more photo with that 33093:


This photo is a summary of the additions to my collection in 2006.  It was a very good year!! The two watches on the outside were of watches that I had “discovered” in Antiquorum’s “The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Constantin” catalog in 2005, but could not commit to at the auction. The one on the left is a reference 4659 from the 1950’s. It has a caliber 454 inside and is very large for its time period at 36 mm in diameter. The way the lugs are designed make it seem even bigger than it is. The one of the right is a reference 4778, also from the 1950’s, and nicknamed “Giraffa.” While the case is “only” 34 mm in diameter, the way the lugs extend outward make the watch feel considerably larger than it really is, which this side-by-side photos suggests:


The Giraffa next to the Historiques Chronograph. This photo was taken explicity to make the point that the design of the lugs can effect ones perception of the size of the watch. The Giraffa and the Historiques Chronograph had a similar presence on the wrist.

Finally, a photo that is not my own, but like the one that started this article, compares and contrasts two similar models:


This photo was taken at an Hour Lounge dinner at SIHH in 2008 and features the classic Malte Chronograph Perpetual Calendar along with the limited edition Excellence Platine Malte Chronograph Perpetual Calendar. The reference 47112 on the left is 39 mm in diameter, the 47212 on the right is 42 mm in diameter. You’ll see some of the best watches ever produced at these collector dinners!

Any side-by-side photos sitting on your hard drive? Please share.

Bill


This message has been edited by WHL on 2010-06-29 17:54:32