Vacheron Constantin

I do wish these earlier Quai de l'Ile's were more water resistant especially being that they came on rubber straps.

Are the later versions any better ?

I believe the current version is 100m water resistant. Better late than never, I suppose.

I was looking in December and I thought it was 3bar for stainless. Now on their website I see 10bar. I wonder what has changed or perhaps was confusing articles I was reading which attributed to earlier variant?

on VC website it clearly lists 10bar, but if you download the product manual it still says 3 bar. Must be a recent change.

I believe quite recent. Fact is, it takes care of the one main flaw as far as I'm concerned. I'm thinking of getting rid of my older version and replacing it with the new.

at 10bar it will be on shortlist for my next (looking for a blue dial - blancpain bathyscaphe ceramic, pam 728, this VC in blue).
Here is response from VC concierge. My follow up email is in regards to when the switch happened and if inventory is at AD or boutique, etc..
"further to your inquiry, the water resistance of the Quai de l’Ile 4500S, was upgraded from 3 bars to 10 bars. The difference between the 2 evolutions is noted on the case back. The engraving on the evolution 00 has the reference "4500S" engraved on the back case and the evolution 01 has reference "4500S/1" engraved on the case back. "

Thank you. I'm now seriously going to consider trading this one in. I do like the case and character of this watch quite a bit and this upgrade takes care of the one obvious flaw.

from VC..
The Quai de I’Ile 4500S timepieces were upgraded to a bar 10 water reistancy in 2017.
The water resistance level is not engraved on the case back of the timepieces. Therefore, you will need to make sure the case back is engraved "4500S/1" to confrim the timepiece does have the bar 10 water resistance.

Tough choice!

Quite the conundrum

but a real fun one!

No message body

Bathyscaphe cermaic blue dial was top spot with ceramic case, good WR and stellar movement. The VC has stunning art deco case, beautiful blue, and VC has always spoke to me (historiques line especially), movement not their typical (plain rotor, non hacking although I stopped setting watches to the second long ago), and now with increased WR can wear in pool (with included blue rubber in addition to alligator strap). Decisions

How do you like that VC model? Seems like amazing value for a Geneva Seal case and movement for an all-around wonderful wearer. Although, I recall once reading some comments about this model's reliability and need for unscheduled servicing...? Looks great though 👍

The case finishing is very nice. The movement finish is okay, nothing special. I've had no issues with it whatsoever. That said, the rotor is a bit noisier than I'd like. As you say, a nice casual use watch.