WatchProSite|Market|Digest

WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Vacheron Constantin

Comments:

We had this all wrong...

By: Tick Talk : May 16th, 2013-14:02

This watch was an experimental piece to try a new corporate symbol. Some ;-) of us have been crying for a return to the & ampersand, but perhaps the board wanted to maintain that break with the past (secretly, I think the Ketterer family were hanging on to it for a line of T-shirts). The Maltese Cross has meaning in Europe but really, do the Chinese care for it?

As an alternative, after years of consideration in the best Swiss manner; following several dinner and boutique presentations complete with themed butter tarts, they devised a "universal" symbol for VC watches; understood in all languages and cultures: THE COLON!

It makes perfect sense. The colon is used in punctuation to indicate that what follows explains what precedes. This yin-yang arrangement can be interpreted to mean that the front explains the back, the dial explains the movement, and the watch explains the wearer...truly something for everyone.

Unfortunately, it appears to have failed market trials with only this one rare example known to the writer. As a great premium is placed on such one-offs, I am disappointed to see it sold for only CHF 15,000 including buyer's premium :-( I mean gosh, a left-handed Overseas would fetch more. Ahhhh, perhaps the Maison scored it for the collection and I will see it nestled up to the Packard on my next visit!

How right you are!

By: amanico : May 16th, 2013-14:13

Funny that you posted it today, as I just saw one in the flesh and managed to take some pictures!

Wil put them on line asap.

Best,
Nicolas

Well, the curious logo is not on the specimen I saw, of course, but...

By: amanico : May 16th, 2013-22:49

As per another coincidence, the time is quite the same than on the one you posted!

Best,

Nicolas

Great Stuff, Dean!

By: WHL : May 16th, 2013-15:18

Vacheron Constantin switches from the Maltese Cross to the Colon: would it were so!

The price was right where I had expected it to be from my recent auction post.

Bill

Detective Dean does it again!

By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 16th, 2013-17:52

Very interesting read Dean and glad you cleared the misunderstanding!

Now that we are posting this finding here... maybe this reference's price is going to sky rocket soon!

Anyway, that watch looks really nice! I need to start learning more about vintage VCs. I really like the vintage chronos!

cheers, robin

Are we being serious about switching from

By: docsnov : May 16th, 2013-21:13

the maltese cross to a colon? If this is post is in jest it is going over my head. This is a nice watch but I hope we are not truly talking about replacing the cross with a colon. Like most iconic brands that have a symbol the cross is it for VC and I sure hope it continues to be. Again if this is a joke I apologize for my missing the punch line, but if not the cross should always be a part of VC. I love it on the crown of the watches and it identifies and represents the brand. It is a huge part of the brand in my opinion.

Stewart

Hi Stewart....

By: WHL : May 17th, 2013-03:51

Dean's tounge is firmly planted in cheek with this post. The colon is actually the two feet that hold the Maltese Cross to the dial. Somehow this watch was damaged such that the cross broke away from the feet.

Bill

This message has been edited by WHL on 2013-05-18 10:24:54

Understood, I hope everyone can have a good

By: docsnov : May 17th, 2013-18:57

laugh at my expense, which I certainly don't mind. As being unfamiliar with details of this watch I could not figure out what the hell you all were talking about and could not believe you could be serious about changing the logo

Stewart

Stewart, you made my day :-)

By: Tick Talk : May 18th, 2013-10:12

I'm glad the dead-pan delivery had some effect. Alas, I hope you will not become cynical on my account...

No worries. I tend to be a smart ass myself

By: docsnov : May 18th, 2013-21:05

and have wished for a while people would loosen up and joke around a little more on this site. The fact that I was the dupe is no big deal. I have no problem laughing at myself when I am a dumbass

Stewart

this was so funny :) [nt]

By: christianch : January 2nd, 2016-17:45

No message body

fortunately it failed beta....

By: a.ler : May 17th, 2013-02:23

LOL, the COLON, that's right..or is it behind?:):):) .....

By: Sandgroper : May 17th, 2013-09:07

N'importe quoi! Ou quoi?

One might have to...

By: yesjb : May 17th, 2013-10:45

perform a "colonoscopy" to find thr truth, n'est-ce pas?

Joseph

It belonged to a Gastroenterologist

By: maberlin : May 17th, 2013-10:46

Who specialized in Colonoscopies. He had the cross shaped polyp removed.

OUCH!!

By: yesjb : May 17th, 2013-11:13

Colon : "what follows explains what precedes"

By: cisco : May 20th, 2013-09:53

you just make me laugh so much with that fantastic line !

ROFLMA O

Great post Dean

I enjoy wearing unique watches, the Salterello included!

By: popspin77 : December 28th, 2015-14:45

I have one given to me by my father-in-law. His ex-wife had bought it for him.

I like the guilloche dial, the movement display and the fact that I never see it on another wrist. Why it doesn't command more at auction is a mystery to me. But since I'm not selling it the auction prices really don't matter.

It gets worn a dozen time a year for family and more formal events. It operates perfectly!

Since these pics were taken the watch has been polished so most of the scratches are gone!

Note the cross where the example above has a "colon".

This message has been edited by popspin77 on 2015-12-28 14:46:58 This message has been edited by popspin77 on 2015-12-28 14:48:30 This message has been edited by popspin77 on 2015-12-28 14:51:42

LOL, best you start a new thread

By: Tick Talk : December 28th, 2015-17:55

to introduce your lovely Saltarello as this one is a bit old... This message has been edited by Tick Talk on 2015-12-28 17:58:20

Will do as you suggest and start a new thread

By: popspin77 : December 28th, 2015-20:15

This thread was very entertaining and made me laugh.
I will wait until next week when I return to NY. New pictures are in order since the watch looks so much better now.