Vacheron Constantin

One of the chief pleasures in collecting Vacheron Constantin lies not with the watches themselves but with the books and other ephemera produced by the brand.

I just had the good luck to add a book published by VC in 2002 to my growing bookshelf of watch-related volumes.

The book is titled, and is indeed about, Horological Complications.

Among the pages we can read the statement by Francois Constantin that we are all so familiar with...in English translation...

...or more poetically, perhaps, in French:

The book is full of fabulous illustrations, drawn, painted and photographed.

There are special pages such as this cut out window page (I am sure there is a technical term for it) that overlays atop the image of the skeleton Malte Tourbillon. 

The text of the book is very interesting, presenting an overview of complications and how they and the basic movements of watches work.  It is fairly educational and very entertaining.  There are several profiles of individual collectors inside that are interesting to read as well. 

One of the things I admire about Vacheron Constantin is their publishing practice.  I am unaware of any other brand that has produced or continues to produce on a comparable level the often lavish and gorgeous books, large and small, that VC does.  These volumes have definitely added to my enjoyment of the watches, while providing something else to collect that is, well, less taxing on my bank account.  I hope that VC will uphold this publishing tradition, and it seems judging by the printed products of the past several years, that they have every intention of doing so. 

I am a happy reader.

Best,

respo

VC always makes such a nice books!

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not as elaborate as the VC things... but I DO understand the draw!!

...oops!  Too late, I am afraid.

What a great idea to collect vintage AP catalogs.

Best,

respo

yes! The 80s stuff is easy to come by, but the earlier things... very very difficult!! I really love vintage AP's so... its great to see some of the late 40s, early 50s things!

which make a nice sideline to collecting the watches. The gray VC wool scarf made the miserable weather of this past winter a bit more bearable.

Bill

I love mine, too!

But you know better than anyone my fetish for VC "stuff."  ;-)

Best,

respo

Have a lot of pleasure reading this one, my friend.

Nicolas

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It's a great little book.
Vacheron does a magnificent job on these publications.
The other two you may like is the Patrimony in English and French and the 250th Anniversary masterpieces.
Both are excellent with superb illustrations.
They do have very nice treats for their clients!
Best,
Joseph

Thanks for looing, Joseph.

I have the 250th Anniversary Masterpieces volume, and it is lovely (a similar size to the Horological Complications book I showed):

I think I have the Patrimony book, too.  Is this the one to which you are referring, Joseph?

It is a small volume, but very nice.

Best regards,

respo

Hallmark of Geneva book? All the info is on the VC site, but it's nice to have the criteria well-defined and in one place.

Bill

Is it the one in the upper left corner of the photo below?

The other books above are nice, too.  There is one for the Quai de l'Ile, one for the Overseas, and one for the Metiers d'Arts.  Each one is small but very nice.

Best,

respo

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I would not want to have missed a VC publication that I have a chance of getting my hands on.  ;-)

Next up (soon): It is time for an update of one of my favorite kinds of threads -- a thread on the VC ephemera other than books. 

Best,

respo

I thought you might already have them.
They are all very well put together.
Best,
Joseph

Are indeed a great adjunct to the collection, while (usually) keeping the wallet happy until the next watch. 

...between watches.  ;-)

I have not paid for any of them, they have been gifts from VC.  This is an added level of customer service/appreciation that I have only received from VC.  The watches have to be first and foremost exceptional, but the added perks  give me incentive to continue buying VC as opposed to other brands.  I do not think any of these brands owe any thing other than a great product and great service for the product, but when we are spending quite a bit of money for the watches the added perks can make a difference.

Stewart

I can see that this is all part of  VC's evil plan to keep us hooked.  ;-)

but also a very respected watch literature publisher.

The stack on my bedside table keeps growing. 

Thanks for looking, Robin.

Best,

respo

amassed a considerable amount of VC literature, a lot of it thanks to a certain Mr. Ghotbi, and Rishab, a great guy who is VC Country Manager in the country I live in.

I am actually planning to get a bookshelf made to house my mini-watch (more specifically VC) library.

I consistently have VC catalogues from 2002-2003 till now. I would love to have the Horological Complications, 250 Anniversary and Patrimony publications you have. 

May I request you to show photos of the Patrimony book? 

Here are a few pics of the Patrimony book.  It is a slim volume and more of a catalogue for the Patrimony line, but nice nonetheless.

Best regards,

respo

for the picture of the Patrimony book.

Among the three, which is your Collectors Island?

Collectors' Island is a topic for another day, however.

Best

respo

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