Comments:
SIHH 2018: Vacheron Constantin Live Pics
Very stable, robust collection as always.
Traditionnelle Tourbillon Platinum - LE of 25.
Peripheral rotor automatic
Platinum stitch
Platinum and PG (non-LE) version side by side.
Traditionnelle Complete Calendar
Fifty-Six (56) Automatic
Crown cuts in to the crown guard.
SS version (right) is priced very strategically. Impressive.
Fifty-Six Day/Date
All 40mm.
SS model has folding clasp while PG model has pin buckle (for the price reason)
Fifty-Six Complete Calendar
Metier d'Art - Les Aerostiers. All five versions. 5 pieces each limited edition. You may never see this line up altogether again!
Overseas Dual Time
Easy to change strap
Blue dial version.
Now, in the display case, Les Cabinotiers Grand Complications
Traditionnelle Tourbillon Platinum - LE of 25.
Peripheral rotor automatic
Platinum stitch
Platinum and PG (non-LE) version side by side.
Traditionnelle Complete Calendar
Fifty-Six (56) Automatic
Crown cuts in to the crown guard.
SS version (right) is priced very strategically. Impressive.
Fifty-Six Day/Date
All 40mm.
SS model has folding clasp while PG model has pin buckle (for the price reason)
Fifty-Six Complete Calendar
Metier d'Art - Les Aerostiers. All five versions. 5 pieces each limited edition. You may never see this line up altogether again!
Overseas Dual Time
Easy to change strap
Blue dial version.
Now, in the display case, Les Cabinotiers Grand Complications
- Ornamental
- Crocodile
- Crocodile
Both are only 1 Limited Edition=Unique Piece.
As always, very stable, wonderful collection. Clearly, this brands is trying to lead the new trend - smaller, and more affordable collection.
Thank you for this comprehensive report. I agree with your conclusion. A thoughtful yet reasonably conservative collection. I just wish VC could figure out the Overseas dual time. Just doesn't work for me š [nt]
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No problem. They are after all a long standing maison. They have huge clientele and talents, capacity. [nt]
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Robust? Yes. Stable?!?
Well, Augean stable, perhaps...?
I can only interpret the introduction of the base 56 model as ādesperateā.
Said in no strategy meeting ever were the words, āhey, sales are GREAT! Clearly our existing strategy and positioning are working fabulously! Everyone pat yourselves on the back! Tell you what, letās introduce a new product with a fundamentally different proposition from what we have made in a very long time. Letās buy in an engine from somewhere else and drop it into the base model of this new line, devaluing the brand with lower standards of finishing so we can offer punters something cheaper than ever before and give fans of the brand a reason to question their devotion to us. Everyone up for that?ā
In case you canāt tell, Iām not convinced by VCās strategy with the new 56 - sorry, Fifty-Six - base model. Just that awkward date window alone is enough to cause sleepless nights! Not to get into arguments over in-house and sourced movements - we all know the history of the industry - but given that they have been pushing their own manufacturing and finishing for so long, and putting the Geneva Seal on all their watches, getting something in from elsewhere in the group without the seal looks very questionable to me.
To be clear: I have no issues with them offering watches in steel - bravo, in fact! - or with the other two models in the new line, each with an existing known VC movement with Geneva Seal. And I am very impressed by some of the other pieces shown here.
Best
E.
I can only interpret the introduction of the base 56 model as ādesperateā.
Said in no strategy meeting ever were the words, āhey, sales are GREAT! Clearly our existing strategy and positioning are working fabulously! Everyone pat yourselves on the back! Tell you what, letās introduce a new product with a fundamentally different proposition from what we have made in a very long time. Letās buy in an engine from somewhere else and drop it into the base model of this new line, devaluing the brand with lower standards of finishing so we can offer punters something cheaper than ever before and give fans of the brand a reason to question their devotion to us. Everyone up for that?ā
In case you canāt tell, Iām not convinced by VCās strategy with the new 56 - sorry, Fifty-Six - base model. Just that awkward date window alone is enough to cause sleepless nights! Not to get into arguments over in-house and sourced movements - we all know the history of the industry - but given that they have been pushing their own manufacturing and finishing for so long, and putting the Geneva Seal on all their watches, getting something in from elsewhere in the group without the seal looks very questionable to me.
To be clear: I have no issues with them offering watches in steel - bravo, in fact! - or with the other two models in the new line, each with an existing known VC movement with Geneva Seal. And I am very impressed by some of the other pieces shown here.
Best
E.
Points well taken...
.. I was just saying from the super high level - meaning, if not stable, how has the brand survived for 260+ years consecutively? "Sustainability" is a keyword these days in business, and VC is certainly one of those who deserve to boast its sustainability. Believe me, there are TONS of such companies that do not have "strategy:" as you mention yet survive such a long time. I was just reporting what I saw - stable=many new collection as well as the special super high end models just like every year. It is the management's job to let the brand survive and VC is doing a good job in that regard. Not many watch brands have survived such a long time as VC - too many brands are time travelers who just landed the modern time without experiencing hundreds of years - agreed?
It's a lost opportunity
I remember when FP Journe introduced the Chronometre Bleu at mere 13000 chf .
Tantalum case and gold movement.
VC should have done the same, the best quality at the lowest price.
Tantalum case and gold movement.
VC should have done the same, the best quality at the lowest price.
As said, long history brands tend to be slow - they have grown sustainably this far, so it is hard for them to change direction.... [nt]
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The āMĆ©tiers dāartā timepieces offer a kind of break. Itās not about time but art. You donāt read the time, you admire it. They slow down our crazy lives thanks to their beauty and charm. The kind of timepieces absolutely necessary for me
Best wishes
Alkiro
Alkiro
As I said, this maison has huge pool of talents and capacity. We can't underestimate.... [nt]
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I would like to see this creativity in all the VC collection and not only concentrated on the high end segment
Best wishes
Alkiro
Alkiro
Thank you Ken!
Excellent selection. Your effort is much appreciated on my end 
. Cheers, Filip
. Cheers, Filip
Still the best showing of 2018 SIHH and 2018 BaselWorld...
I like your photos of the VC Set of balloon watches. Gorgeous! And the Traditionelle Tourbillon is a great way to go!
Ah, dear Patrick....
... I will be in the area in September. Let's talk for hours about the watches together..... Thanks for the comments!