Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin has released a wide array of novelites at SIHH this year, from classcally styled dress watches to a new grand compication and an artistically conceived set of watches that I expect to generate much interest.

Many of these novelites are nested in a new Patrimony line called “Traditionnelle.” These watches all share a similar case design, with stepped lugs and sides to the case, and all feature Dauphine hands. The backs of each case screw down, and taking a cue from the 250th anniversary watches, have a serrated edge.

The Métiers d’Art line, considing previously only of the Hommage to the Great Explorers, is now augmented by “Les Masques,” a series of watches using the time display of the 250th anniversary Métiers d’Art line, but now with engraved tribal masks in the center of the dial. They will be sold as a set of four, in a limited edition of 25 sets, with two new sets of mask collections to be introduced over the next two years, for a total series of 300 watches. More on these in a future post.

Bill
This message has been edited by WHL on 2007-04-18 03:09:16 This message has been edited by JWU on 2007-04-26 08:47:54

The flagship of the Traditionnelle line is a tourbillon/perpetual
calendar/minute repeater grand complication with power reserve indication seen
through the saphire case back. Based on the Tour de l¹Ile from the 250th
anniversary line of watches, it is 44 mm in diameter and offered in RG. It
features the 602-part Caliber 2755.

VC is continually raising the bar on the art of decorating skeletonized watches,
and this edition of their skeletonized perpetual calendar watch is no exception
to that rule. While the old Patrimony Skeleton Perpetual, Ref 43032, has been
discontinued, its replacement is sure to please fans of openworked movements who
missed out on that great design.

Seeming to reverse the trend of ever-larger watches, this automatic watch,
featuring VC's Geneva Seal-finished Caliber 2455 with guichet date at 3 and
sub-sconds at 9, comes to us at 38 mm. Taking a cue from the past, the dial is
set off by applied faceted hour markers and a two-tone finish that highlights
the minute and seconds tracks. It will initially be offered in rose gold and
white gold. I can't wait to see this one in person.

from the Malte look imho. I especially like the simplicity of the Patrimony Traditionnelle Self Winding. It would be interesting to see a model with no date or sub seconds, but instead with a center seconds hand. The reasonable (for me perfect) case size is much appreciated. m

I was hoping for something rectangular, square, or some other interesting shape, but this is a round Vacheron with a design that I really like.  I look forward to seeing these in person when they arrive at ADs.

Best regards,
Dino

I really like the looks of this new automatic. It's refreshing that the seconds dial is at 9 and the date window, especially the font, looks good. So it's both a simple/beautiful and a practical watch. I shall most certainly await to check it in reality. Btw the case also looks very well-proportioned, and I am glad that the dial is sans-guilloche. Well done, VC!

Sven

Hi Bill, thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures and SIHH updates, i enjoyed reading them.

I think the new releases from VC this year are great and eye catching. i personally love the Patrimony Tradtiorelle Self winding, especially the off second subdial at 9 pm, i think its unique. and the minute railway track also give a watch a very vintage look, of ocurse this is MHO.

look forward to view these watches in real when arrive at AD.

I loved this piece in the flesh. I went to Geneva, not expecting much from VC, only to be thrilled to see this watch. I loved it marginally more in the RG execution, but the WG is also a great looking watch. The design is sublime and  kudos to  VC for creating a great looking dress watch with their own Cal. 2455, which is lovely in its own right. On the wrist it is perfect for my wrist as an elegant dress watch. My ideal dress watch size is 38-40mm, so I've finally found a future stable mate for my Les Historiques chrono!
Warm regards,
Tim

Cheers,
Tim

It looks like the date in the window isn't aligned, but I guess it's the angle that does it?

Now it'll be exiting to see, how they'll price this watch in relation to the Contemporaine automatic. I really really like this watch. Wonderful design, both clear and charming.

Sven

Hi Sven,
Yes, it was the angle I took the picture that  makes the date look odd. It was centered no problem.
Didn't have lots of time to set up the perfect shot!
Cheers,
Tim

I appreciate your personal photos-they help show off these watches in a way that press photos fail to do.

However, I had to delete another post of yours as that watch shown was not made available to the press and per forum guidelines cannot be hosted here.

Thank you for understanding,

Bill

Hi Bill,
Apologies, Didn't think twice about posting that other watch! I assumed lots of people knew about it and wanted to share the picture.
No problem deleting my post. Not here to upset anyone.
Cheers,
Tim

Just a year after the introduction of this watch in YG and WG, it is now offered
in RG, and without ³Automatic² written on the dial, making for a cleaner look.

I am partial to the QP sq. - if the grand comp were 5mm smaller it just might be my holy grail.

Thanks Bill.

are there any changes to the size options? I like the "basic" Patrimony very much, but wouldn't consider one unless V&C offered a 37-38mm version.

Thanks.

Regards,

Tony C.

Besides erasing the superfluous "Automatic" from the dial, it seems that they have made this dial surface in matt opaline-like material - and not mirror-shiny like the first versions. That would be a huge improvement.

Sven

finally i am not disappointed by VC novelties esp the auto date model. have to see it in real to be really convinced, but the dauphne hands and case is already an interesting development, though i am a bit concerned about the sub seconds dial being close to the sentre of the dial. and if i can afford, the skeleton piece is immaculate !!! thanks for the update.

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