Horological Meandering

I have an opportunity to acquire a Jaquet Droz Perpetual Calendar in a very favorable transaction.  The dial on the piece I am considering is pitch black, as opposed to the grey looking dial in these photos:

The watch is white gold with retro date and day of the week hands.  The dial is made out of Onyx.  What do you guys think of this watch?  Honest opinions.

Now, to add a wrinkle to the mix, I would likely give up my Vacheron Malte Chrono if I got this watch.  I love the Malte chrono, but I find myself wearing it much less lately.

Would you give up a Vacheron Malte Chrono for the JD Perpetual?  The JD retails for $20,000 more ($54,000 vs. $34,000).  If you could do a near even trade, would you do it?  Which watch do you like more?  What do you think of the JD?

Thanks for the advice.

Craig

imagine how superb the silver(white gold?) on black onyx would look. the retro hands give the impression of a butterfly with the central portion as the body. there's no competition IMHO as the VC is 'just' a chrono but the JD is a stunning piece of artwork.

go for it.

Graham

I think I just don't like something about their cases.  The dials are very nice though.

May as well swap and try something new.  You can always find another Malte Chrono.

Craig,

As much as you love the VC, why does it not earn more of your wrist time?  I think this is a vital question to answer.

As favorable as the transaction would be, I would not jump at the deal unless the J*D grabs your heart because in the long run I think it would be more difficult to resell as someone else has already suggested.  Sell the VC and hold out for something that screams "keeper" if this is the case.

Knockout features of the VC: the finish on the Lemania movement, the flaired lugs on the case, the blued hands against the silver dial, and the "status" of having a VC on your wrist (this can be a negative for some)

I've seen the Perpetual in Onyx.  It is a gorgeous watch.  I don't care what anyone else believes but a perpetual calender is infinitely more useful than a 30 min chronograph in my day to day activities.  The J*D perpetual has an intuitive layout unlike some other perpetuals I've seen.  Overall the case shape would be the same as your GS but the Perpetual is a bit thicker and heavier.  The stone dials are expensive.  As an example (and this information is not from J*D but from a respected independent watchmaker who uses stone dials) a 43mm Jade dial costs wholesale $12,000 US.  Do the suggested retail markup and you can see why Jaquet Droz are "expensive". 

If I had to make a decision I'd pick the J*D (no surprise) for its uniqueness in design.  I could always pick up an extremely well finished Lemania elsewhere if I felt like I needed one in my collection...even "move up" to a Patek

Cheers, Mike

 

I personally like the slate brown dial in the J*D Perpetual, as shown in the pictures you posted, a lot more than the black onyx dial.

Since u find yourself wearing the VC less and less these days, you might as well give it up and try the J*D Perpetual.  Maybe u'll wear this the perpetual more but maybe you won't though.

And if I remember correctly, you seem to like silver dial watches more than black dials?  Is this correct?

Cheers,
Anthony

The JD is so much more unconventional and special. In my opinion, VC's Malte series is not very special in design and heritage, in my eyes, it seems to be a mixture of neo-classic and some Art Déco elements, lacking inspiration and - especially in the case of the Régulateur - care for detail. All this is present in the beautiful JD.

Best regards,
Marcus