Vacheron Constantin

1326 Front




1326 Back




2475 Front, Geneva Seal-ed movement




2475 Back, Geneva Seal-ed movement

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overall, I think VC is doing well to address a lower price point market, which the Overseas has grown out of unfortunately.

This new creation is probably a start and I personally not too keen on some of its design elements, but I'm sure there will be follow ups.

I would have wished for a more classic/dressy looking dial and I also think that this date window is not looking very good, and I'm not a militant date hater.

Best,

CC

The point I'm making with the article is that VC is providing a "gateway drug" for new collectors to get into horology. And I'm appreciative that VC is doing this!

We're definitely one of the few websites that have mentioned the date window being too small. And I definitely agree with you there!

I certainly see the logic of moving into a lower, more attractive price range and from that point of view I think VC has done well. Where I am less convinced is the overall product. And not because I would say that it compares unfavourably to another brand, it is simply that for not that much more you can have a Quai in steel from VC with a bona fide VC movement, Geneva Seal and all the rest, which I would more naturally aspire to. Sure, the case design may not be to everyone's taste but I feel that extending along those lines would have been a more fruitful avenue. Just my two cents.

The Quai d'Ile models are definitely cool pieces. They're big, they're definitely unique, and they're radical. I still miss the one where you can customize to your own preferences. I'm a little sad that never really took off. And they come with VC's Geneva Sealed movement. The current Quai model is around 4000 CHF more than the FIftysix in steel. That'd be a good deal to someone who insists on having a VC movement with a Geneva Seal.

Having appeared around the financial crisis it never took off the way Vacheron intended...

While I do not know for certain, it is reasonable to assume that VC is in financial trouble. So we can all criticize the non-Geneva movement, date placement etc, but we should all hope that the watch sells well.

VC is steady, no financial trouble that I'm aware of. No major layoffs, large capital expendiure plans continuing. There are other brands in the Richemont and Swatch group that have significantly greater days of inventory than VC.

No reason for the watch to not sell well. A PuristSPro supercollector may not buy one for him/herself, but he/she may get one for a close friend, associate, or a family member.

.....really nice review.


Really enjoyed how you meshed teh history into the evolution.

I think its a nice watch and a valiant attempt at capturing the history. "Feels" like a VC.

Good review.

I'm steeping a special tea that was given to me from an incredible individual who drove four hours to take me to lunch and to tea. This will only be the second cup I've had of this particular tea. I let it steep a little longer than I'm probably supposed to, but I'm trying to get the full flavor of the tea and a bit of that "dry" after taste I like.

Thanks again for reading and commenting!

....no hotter than 90 degrees.

For green teas, I tend to use a lower temperature, as there's a real burning risk.  Matcha tastes fine even lower, 80 degrees is actually fine.  

... let me quote you on the very point that puts me off when it comes to the watch:

I like your no compromise approach! Maybe VC's designers were trying to take a "minimalist date approach" or something like that. But in my eyes, and apparently yours, we're not fond of the date.

Personally, I like the Quai watch, I even like the modern dial with those special security printings. The Quai is a very different design too. That'd be a cool watch, and the price is 4000 CHF away, which to me personally, is justifiable.

I bet a lot of consumers will be lured into VC with this FIFTYSIX and when presented with the Quai watch, they will have a tough choice. A good FIFTYSIX for under 12,000 CHF? Or an even nicer Quai d'Ille for around 16,000 CHF? I'd probably take the Quai d'Ille! Nice dilemma to have!

Let's be honest, they're all in this kind of mess because of the insane pricing, lack of buyers and with production facilities geared up for volume that isn't there.

Over the period 2000-2015 Rolex Sub prices went up 2.5x  with inflation 1.4x

That's a compound increase of 3x the rate of inflation for 15 years.

We don't want cheaper model lines, we want more sensibly priced proper pieces.  An OS3 is currently $20900 list (exc tax) in the US.  Ridiculous.

Somehow we are supposed to applaud this lame effort as 'value for money' and a 'great effort to bring in new buyers'.

Velociphile

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But you can't lower prices for the same quality product, that tells your former consumers that you're being disloyal to them.

You have to increase your prices because every other brand increased their price during record high demand and normal supply.

You have to increase your production because otherwise you'd miss the opportunity. Of course, now you're humming at less than your full capacity.

Business is a tough thing. I've worked in technology manufacturing in Silicon Valley; it's always a difficult balance.

I have to add my opinion that it did/does not make a big impact or even particularly good value along side other watches in the market (JLC or Montblanc if you want to stay in the same house).   I don't think it even makes a wave.. maybe a ripple as it opens up new buyers who buy VC for the name.   Your review highlights some of the great qualities of this watch and some things I missed in the presentation (thank you!)

I agree with you. But I still think this watch will make a lasting impact, not for you, but for new-to horology people (the Harry Potter book would call them the "muggles"). The brand equity of Vacheron Constantin is so tremendous that this lower pricepoint exposes a large population to Vacheron Constantin. The ripple is not for the established collector who's on PuristSPro, but for the beginner connoisseur, this is likely a much bigger splash!

And it still has nicer movement finishing than the typical from Montblanc and JLC. It's like an Aston Martin DB11 V8, which now uses a Mercedes-Benz supplied engine. You'd probably want the Aston Martin DB11 with the bespoke V12 engine. But the average first-time Aston Martin buyer won't care. And who knows, sometimes I just want to pass on the Aston Martin entirely.

Most of the other brands have in-house movements too, the one I saw (maybe a SIHH proto), the finishing was medium and apart from the gold rotor was not better than most brands offering an ETA.  Maybe VC are just sitting back on their name rather than product, its not substandard its just very standard at a higher price.

I'm in the wait and see mode. Pass the popcorn.

A very fresh approach how to describe this new line!

I think this new line is a bit of a double edged sword.

On one hand you make the brand more available to a broader public.

Here we have the one time or first time buyers, newly into watches.

A bigger group buying fewer watches per capita, but in total it may be a bigger volume.

Among this group there are of course potential collectors and if a VC is their "first real watch", odds are that their second and third may as well be a VC...

On the other hand you may disappoint some of you existing clients with a "lower entry level".

Its a difficult balance to keep for a brand such Vacheron, especially  with brands like JLC and IWC in the same group.

Among collectors like many here on WatchProSite the Quai de L'ile got a not too warm reception.

And if this FIFTYSIX gets a similar response here, would not come as a big surprise to me...

After all, many here are veteran collectors who would love to see more exclusive watches!

That said, I think from photos, its a great looking watch and I wish Vacheron all the best with this new FIFTYSIX line!

Best

Blomman

And here are some of those super exclusive watches for veteran collectors...  





I really liked this automatic tourbillon.  I always disliked winding rotors on automatics.  Hence why I try to buy micro-rotor automatics or manual winds.  But this is a rotor that I can get used to!  


See the wires of the balloon...  Oh my goodness!  The white metal on the balloon is plated, the blue is electrically plated as well.  







Look at that detail.  The engraving...  Carved from a solid block of yellow gold, parts of it had to be plated with white metal to get the contrast.  Gorgeous.  

Thank you for these shots, Patrick!

The blue balloon is just insane!

Best

Blomman

I think with all the critical responses above from PuristS; we can see that there is a lot of passion and knowledge when it comes to Vacheron.
A lot of us really want VC to do well and to offer great beautiful watches.  I wish Mr. Ferla and his team at VC take notice.

I think the Fiftysix Self-winding entry level watch is off target.  If this watch (and the whole Fiftysix line) is meant to draw in new younger buyers, it does not have enough "sporty" cues that relate to the casual lifestyle.  IMO the younger buyers are mostly casual and these Fiftysix watches are uninspired dressy (the gray and steel design is dull).  Perhaps the VC watch design team missed the memo note about "blue and green dials" are the hot trend now.

I don't think it was necessary for VC to even create this Fiftysix line.  They should have just looked at the 2017 Overseas references in steel and taken a healthy 40% cut to the MSRP.  (And also fix the weird date window on the Overseas Chrono.)  The SS Overseas line at the same/better price as a Zenith or Rolex or GP would draw new buyers, young & old.  I think sometimes the answer is right in front of you.  I wish Mr. Ferla and his team at VC would open their eyes.

Seems like you're a fan of the Overseas!

Thanks for reading and sharing your opinions! I appreciate the criticism that others have provided, but I think VC will especially appreciate your suggestion!

To have the design of a collection driven by market forces feels forced to me, even though I'm not particularly concerned by the lack of in-house movement in the basic model.