Steven
38
Trying to decide on a dress watch
As ThomasM ans Hans both know by now, I'm really struggling with this one. I'm in 'need' of a dress watch, and have now narrowed the field of choices. I've got my eye on three gold watches. Two are Vacheron Constantin and one is Audemars Piguet. Since both brands are featured prominently here, I'll pose my dilemma, and await your feedback.
The three pieces I'm considering are the VC Les Historiques wtih Small Seconds, the VC Malte Grande Classique (both in yellow gold), and the AP Jules Audemars Small Seconds with their new Cotes de Geneve dial styling (similar to the RdM).
The les Historiques is sort of in third place right now due to its 33mm size, and due to the fact that it looks so much like a classic 'dress' watch that it may be the least versatile of the three. That said, I think that it is one of the very beautiful watches out there.
The Malte has a very beautiful dial, IMO, and is both classic (in terms of VC styling with the stylized lugs and Maltese cross motif) as well as contemporary with the sword hands.
The AP has a wonderful and unmistakable case style, with its bombe shaping and brushed/polished surfaces, but I've yet to see the new dial in person and the older style leaves me a little flat. I think that the AP movement, with its gyromax balance may have a technical edge, though I know very little about the 1400 in the VC.
Please help by providing your views. Thanks.