Vacheron Constantin

I attended a Vacheron Constantin dinner in Philadelphia last week and learned a few things that I thought I would share.  I apologize for the lack of photographs, largely due to my lack of skills. But, hey folks, you get what you pay for.

Hugues de Pins, President of VC North America gave us an informative presentation, introducing the major VC lines and highlighting some of the newer and soon to be presented watches from the collection. During his presentation, he mentioned the following facts, which I scribbled down:

• VC produces 18,000 watches per year
• 85% of the watches produced are mechanical
• 85% of the watches produced are men's models [I wonder if that means that the remaining 15% are quartz and for women?]
• The 1921 American is the best selling VC watch in the US market.

I think the last piece of information is interesting, as it appears to confirm that VC has a hit on their hands with the 1921.  Maybe I won't get one after all as it appears that every Tom, Dick and Harry will be sporting one before long. LOL. 

No, after trying it on yet again that evening, I still find the 1921 absolutely beautiful.  Now, I also tried on an Overseas Chrono in rose gold on the RG bracelet -- what a hefty piece that is!  Why do these rose gold VCs keep throwing themselves at me?  It is so hard to resist.

There were some other lovely watches there, including a case full of QDLs.  Mr. de Pins allowed me to fondle his own RG Patrimony (again rose gold!) , which is has been on my mind for some time now, as well. It is a perfect dress watch, IMHO.

As I mentioned, one of the VC representatives on hand showed me the 1921.  She explained that the 1921 was first developed for a group of US customers as a "driving watch," and hence the dial design.  I know that there has been some discussion on this forum about the validity of the 1921's heritage and purpose as a driving watch, but I just wanted to report that this is what VC is saying, although I did not hear Mr. de Pins make that claim. 

I want to thank both Govberg Jewelers for organizing such a delightful evening and Mr. de Pins for being such a charming host. 

respo

I'm glad you had a great time at the Philly-area VC dinner. Vacheron Constantin will bring out some pretty interesting watches to these events, ones that the retailers often don't carry in their inventories, and that always makes for a worthwhile experience.

Hugues was wearing a QDI when I had seen him the previous week at the Boston area dinner. I think he wore a rose gold piece to Philly just to tempt and torture you respo....

Bill

that VC did not make so many watches a year....

Thanks for the report Respo.....

Cheers

it's more fun giving in

All the Best,

Tom

...but I seriously love all of that rose gold!  Yup, that RG Overseas Chrono is a beauty.  I first saw it on the chocolate rubber strap, and I throught that combo was amazing (and I still do), but the bracelet takes it over the top in a very good way.  So, the Overseas has made it to my "short list," but  in any case it would have to be a watch for the future for me. 

Thanks for posting the photos.  If you have not already (and I will now look), please post some additional photos and some thoughts on the watch as an owner and wearer. 

Cheers,

respo

First, I am a colored metal type guy...I do like RG and YG. 

I have a very small collection with one other VC a RG Malte Chrono but when I got this watch I had no watch with an all gold bracelet.  The closest I came was a gold and steel breitling Cosmonaute which I loved and still do.

Getting an all gold watch was a big step for me and I thought long and hard about it but I was in Wempe in NYC and tried on a YG Dual Time VC and thought it looked terrific so now it was between the YG and RG because I had already made up m my mind that it was what I wanted.  It was a close call but when I looked at them side by side the Rg won out and it is easily my favorite watch....no contest.  If I only had one watch this would be it.

Here are a couple more pics and thanks.  If you ever wind up with it you'll love it.

All the best,

Tom