Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin originally developed the Historiques collection in the early 1990’s during the mechanical watch renaissance. These watches drew on Vacheron Constantin’s rich heritage of design, bringing classic designs such as the 4072, 4178, and Cioccolatone to a new generation of watch collectors. The collection faded from the catalog as the brand developed a better defined product lines (eg Malte, Overseas, Patrimony Contemporaine), but was resurrected as its own collection in 2007 with the Chronometer Royal 1907, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the original Chronometer Royal pocket watch.


The initial run of 100 watches are distinguished by a red enamel 12 on the dial. Current models have all black Arabic numbers on the white enamel dial.


This is the only watch in Vacheron Constantin’s production that carries both the Geneva Hallmark as well as the COSC certificate.


This new design used Vacheron Constantin’s in-house automatic caliber, a characteristic that every subsequent entry into the Historiques collection would follow. (The Toledo 1952 is a holdover from the earlier generation of Historiques timepieces).

In 2008 Vacheron Constantin gave us the stunning American 1921, inspired by a design from 1921 that was created for the American market. Insert photo This watch was the first to employ the caliber 4400, Vacheron Constantin’s larger companion to the caliber 1400.


At the end of 2009 Vacheron Constnatin announced a set of two ultrathin models, the Historiques 1955, using the manual winding caliber 1003, the thinnest movement in production for the past 55 years

and the Historiques 1968, using the automatic winding caliber 1120, the thinnest full rotor automatic winding movement when it was introduced in the 1960’s.


At SIHH 2011, Vacheron Constantin gave us the Aronde 1954, a watch with a beautifully sculpted rectangular case and a striking dial separated into four quadrants with a linear guilloche.




Final Thoughts

With the exception of a platinum Toledo 1952, the red 12 Chronometer Royal 1907, and NY Boutique edition 1921, the models in the Historqiues collection are not limited edition. But the production of these models is limited. They are also priced at a premium to any roughly comparable model that is in Vacheron Constantin's standard production. The American 1921, for instance, has a retail price of $32,400 at the time of this writing, while the Patrimony Traditionnelle, which is also a three hand watch using the same caliber 4400, is $18,500. Rationally speaking as a collector of watches it is hard to justify the discrepancy. But when has rational thought determined what a collector of wristwatches does? Sometimes you just want the watch. When it comes to the American 1921 or Aronde 1955, I would pay the premium.

For some of these other models, I would either pursue something else from current production or carefully seek out a vintage watch with similar characteristics. For instance, getting the best of the 1955, with its Maltese Cross lug design, and the Chronometer Royal 1907, with its precise movement, I would choose a vintage reference 6161 Chronometer Royal with caliber 1008/BS.


Bill

 

So thank you for such a post.

You're right, it is impossible to know what is in a collector's mind, the irrational wins over the rational, and it is a good thing, I believe.

Still, I regret to not see more " Malte " cases,  with these superb teardrop lugs.

Ok you will say that there is still the Minute Repeater skeleton...    but it doesn't belong to the " Les Historiques " line.

It is also the opportunity to see some treasures from the past, like the superb Chronometre Royal you shown.

I would so much like to see a manual movement on the  modern C.R!

Which is amazing with VC is that the Historique line includes some faithful pieces like the 1968 or the Aronde, and sometimes they take more liberty but they stick to the spirt of the watch ( Toledo,, Chronometre Royal, for example ).

There is some places for these 2 ways of revisiting the Past, IMO.

Superb post, Bill.

Thanks.

Nicolas.

 

but not in Historiques line, I think. Bill, do you know how well sales of Malte watches bear up?

but as they are complicated watches they tend to be quite expensive, which limits the market to some extent. Also, I think more people prefer round watches to tonneau cases (though I would suggest more people try them on the wrist rather than look at them through the showcase glass to see how well they work on the wrist, which is the point!), and this also limits the popularity.

I think it is too soon to see  a Malte in the Historiques collection.  My hope for the next inclusion would be a Turnograph model, about 40-42 mm in diameter, and with the in-house automatic movement.

Bill

I look forward to seeing a platinum CR on your wrist some day!

 Bill

Is there any movement finishing to further justify the price premium beyond the case?

Thanks for the excellent report.

Best,

Horo

compared with the Patirmony Traditionnelle.

Bill

Hi,  First time to post.  

I've been only lurking around and  the subject  this time was very interesting.

I happen to own Chronometer Royal 1907 with red 12.  You are very right in that the  high  premium 

is hard to be justified.  Well, I thought so in the beginning.  But somewhere inside of me repeatedly

whispered  " But you like it, don't you?  Go against rational.  You can't expect outstanding result

(uncomparable satisfaction) when acting like any others..."   Finally I followed the voice.

As a matter of fact I was not given much time to wonder.  There were only 4 pieces to be delivered

through AD in my country.  Adding 3 or so subsequently imported,  there are less than 10 here that

makes the piece very very rare.  Surprise was its super accuracy. I knew the movement was almost

the same as ordinary cal 2450.  But extra careful tuning and calibration might be made,  I suspect.

Mine turns out to be only +1 sec /3 days constantly.  This phenomenal accuracy was a great bonus!

Afterall, only  those who can go against rational can enjoy the rarity...not?  

 

This message has been edited by Black Ninjya on 2011-09-01 06:14:34

as well you should be with performance like it gives you. I have yet to hear from anyone dissatisfied with his Historiques, whatever the model.

Thank you for your first posting!

Bill

I really like the Chronometre Royal red 12, and of course the Am 1921!

 

 

Thank you for sharing these!

 

 

Best

 

Blomman

There are so many great watches in the Historiques collection.

BIll

The Historiques line is one of my favorites as it is not limited to a certain design but instead follows a theme (historical models).

in white gold, right? (feel free to share your photos again!)

Bill

nt

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ;-)

Will it have erotic automations?

...and for making me drool a little bit.  ;-)

I really love the Historiques line -- not a single one of them that I would kick out of bed, so to speak.  The CR and the 1968, in particular, really slay me. 

You know the price discrepancy between the 1921 and the PT both with the same cal. 4400 really did not phase me at all.  Perhaps I was so blinded by the beauty of the 1921, I was willing to pay the premium.  I may have justified it by telling myself that it is a low-production piece with a case that is not being used on any other watches, so that there has to be a higher cost associated with the very limited use of the special case with one model. Not to mention the special hands and dial finishing, etc. involved with the 1921.  But those are mere justifications to myself, I fear.  There is no rationality involved for me when I am so taken with a watch like this.  However, with these price increases, by all of the brands and not just VC, I will have fewer opportunities to act irrationally.

That ref. 6161 is superb.  I love the lugs on that one, and the movement is so lovely.

Thanks for a beautiful post, Bill.

 

respo

There really is something special about these Historiques models. I've come to the point in my collecting experience where I would rather own/experience special watches like these or the Excellence Platine rather than have many watches, of which some might be pedestrian (to my eyes).

Bill

No message body This message has been edited by Davo on 2011-09-03 03:41:07

No message body

I was attracted to the Historiques collection ever since I started learning and developing this passion for VC.

I discovered my love of the Historiques was really due to my preference for vintage. I then started to learn and collect vintage VCs.

Now that I'm a little bit more knowledgeable about vintage VCs, I prefer them for the most part, over their Historiqes versions.

But there are a few pieces that I would pay the premium for that only appear in the Historiques:

1. Historiqes 1955 Ultra-Thin. That 18kt gold cal 1003/3 is just amazing and to be found nowhere else. The overall height is even thinner than th original.

2. PT Chronomtre Royale 1907. It is the only PT CR that I know of

If VC can always add a special feature, or bit of uniqueness, to each Historiques watch (that canot be found anywhere else): I think it will make the collection that much more special - for both new and old lovers of VC.

BR, Dan

I agree that the new Historiques models have to have that little something special to distinguish them from their predecessors (something the early 90's Historiques models did not excel at) . First and foremost they have to be sized for contemporary tastes.

The enamel dial of the Chronometer Royal 1907 is a nice touch, even though it is without precedent from the historical models. Similarly, the gold movement of the 1955 is a great choice.

Bill

collection. Always great to learn new stuff.

Indeed, the Historiques line is the one that really shows VC's expertise, finesse and long traditon in haute horologerie. It just doesn't get better than this.

On the contrary to Dan, I only collect modern VCs and the Historiques pieces give me a connection to their previous, vintage creations. They bridge the old and heritage with current design. Just perfect. Take Cioccolatone for example, its original design is universal and in a way contemporary (not to mention its up-to-date case size). Vintage pieces' prices have really gone up through the roof and honestly the current Toledo 1952 (just few design touches added to the Cioccolatone) is just an awesome substitute.

1921 and CR 1907 are just a class of their own. Aronde 1954 I also adore. Historiques collection is just a great concept. I just hope VC will keep adding a piece or two each year making the whole collection even more interesting. They have all 255 years of history to derive their designs from.   

 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It is indeed financially prohibitive to get a vintage triple date Cioccolatone, and the modern watch is a fantastic substitute. I think it is actually the same size as the vintage watch (which was huge in its day).

I have taken to buying only contemporary watches and I like the ability to get the vintage designs in a new watch.

Bill

from the Historiques line.  The Aronde is just begging for a proper tonneau-shaped movement.  There are so many designs pre-1950 that could come to life again as Historiques and benefit from this authentic touch.

places things in perspective

J