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Vacheron Constantin

A great way to treat yourself...

 

Hi Wilco,

All three watches on your shortlist are outstanding. All are based on VC's in-house automatic caliber, though with minor differences between them.

I don't have much information on the white gold Chronometer Royal 1907 as it is not available in the North American market. I have handled the rose gold model and I think that the enamel dial is spectacular, and VC submits the movements for COSC approval. The only downside is the significant premium in price when compared with the other watches you are considering. The Chronometer Royal is way above the range you gave in your post while the other two watches are in that range.

The Patrimony Traditionnelle Self-Winding with Date is a favorite of mine (I wrote an in-depth review of it a while ago).  I adore the case for the step along the sides and lugs, and the dial for its unusual layout.

The Patrimony Contemporaine is the most conservative of the three watches under consideration (and I also think you should consider the non-date version of the same watch - Ref 86180 - only recently discontinued so they are probably still available in the dealer channels). It looks great now and I think it will look great in 50 years.

I would be happy with any of these watches on my wrist. FWIW,  My first choice for purchase would be the Traditionnelle. All come on the tang buckle, which is comfortable. I don't think the folding buckle offers any advantages in terms of comfort.

Please let us know what you ultimately decide to purchase.

 

Bill

 

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30 Comments view entire thread 

Which VC automatic?

 
By: NoMilkToday : March 24th, 2010-12:13
Soon I will treat myself with a new VC automatic in WG. I am now comparing three models: - Royal 1907 (not the Limited Edition, this one has the 12 in black) - Patrimony Traditionelle Date, - Patrimony Contemporaine Date. As I cannot compare them in the s... 

A great way to treat yourself...

 
By: WHL : March 25th, 2010-08:06
Hi Wilco, All three watches on your shortlist are outstanding. All are based on VC's in-house automatic caliber, though with minor differences between them. I don't have much information on the white gold Chronometer Royal 1907 as it is not available in t... 

The Contemporaine looks to be Royal class too...

 
By: NoMilkToday : March 25th, 2010-11:07
Bill, Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. About the Chronometer Royal 1907: I checked and, unfortunately, there is only the RG version. What a pity. Also unfortunately, this watch is - although not a limited edition - about twice as expensive as... 

I look forward to seeing what you ultimately choose...

 
By: WHL : March 25th, 2010-12:04
Regarding the premium pricing of the Chronometer Royal 1907, the two main factors are the extra care that goes into ensuring that the watch achieves chronometer certification and the manufacturing of the enamel dial, which is time consuming and fraut with... 

Patrimony automatics

 
By: robbo400 : March 27th, 2010-02:56
I found myself in Geneva recently and visited the VC boutique (currently at a temporary location as I believe the VC building on the "island" is being refurbished) to compare the automatic versions of the Patrimony Contemporaine and Traditionnelle. I had ... 

Contemporaine: beautiful and fitting

 
By: NoMilkToday : March 27th, 2010-14:27
Robbo, Thank you for your very clear written experience. For me, this is interesting information. Designwise, I agree with you all the way. The design of the Traditionelle seems to be out of balance, indeed. For your information: the Contemporaine handwin... 

Yes PP, I did at ...

 
By: NoMilkToday : April 3rd, 2010-07:20
... that time and I still do. The fun thing about researching for buying something expensive and luxurous as a watch is that if one keeps having an open mind new information keeps coming up. So much so that I postponed my bying decision until I have the i... 

Personally....

 
By: MiniCooper : April 3rd, 2010-10:04
I prefer manual winders..... the pleasure of winding them by hand..... also I think that they are more accurate than automatic ones.... although some might debate this.... Difficult choices make the hunt even more enjoyable.... please let us know what you... 

So you like working with your vingers ...

 
By: NoMilkToday : April 4th, 2010-06:02
... please, tell me, what are your favourite manuals? Automatics mostly don't feel so effortlessly. The expensive handwinders I 'worked' were very pleasurable indeed. About a difference in accuracy, I don't know, but I believe your statement. The hunt goe... 

Pretty much all of them....

 
By: MiniCooper : April 4th, 2010-07:36
however the VC Patrimony has a very elegant sound... cheers

I believe you ...

 
By: NoMilkToday : April 4th, 2010-09:47
... only I don't think it is as handsome as its older manual brother, the Contemporaine. On the other hand, the manual Patrimony has this new 4400 movement, which looks like a step up from the 1400. Significant longer power reserve and also more accurate,... 

Well.....

 
By: MiniCooper : April 4th, 2010-10:05
the movement is not much to see.. hence the solid back.... however it is truly gorgeous, on of my favourite watches and very comfortable to wear.... I am trying to upload a wrist photo of it but the system does not let me.... cheers

Oh yes, that's an everlasting beauty...

 
By: NoMilkToday : April 4th, 2010-13:10
... in WG and an opal white dial, if I can trust my eyes. And it gives the time too! Do you wear it often? And do you have other manuals that are worth mentioning?

VC manual winders...

 
By: WHL : April 5th, 2010-08:22
I adore VC's manual winding watches. They are a pleasure to wind every day. The caliber 1400 is beautfully designed and finished, but it is only 20 mm in diameter. VC did well to put a solid case back on the Contemporaine. The 4400 is also great, and the ...  

Not yet.....

 
By: WHL : April 5th, 2010-09:56
I have to rebuild the watch account after this JDN business. It is on my shortlist along with the QDI. Bill

Which of....

 
By: MiniCooper : April 5th, 2010-10:09
the two are you going to choose first? cheers

I am inclining towards the QDI....

 
By: WHL : April 5th, 2010-10:32
just because it is such a contrast to most of the classically beautiful VC's I have owned. If I didn't have such experience I'm sure I would go for the 1921. Bill

Please do!!

 
By: WHL : April 5th, 2010-11:20
While your impressions of your watch are still fresh. Do you ever see yourself getting back into a QDI? Bill

Yes & no.....

 
By: MiniCooper : April 5th, 2010-11:31
one never knows... I will clarify in my review which will be posted soon... cheers

Yeah...

 
By: WHL : April 5th, 2010-11:38
there is nothing like having to write things down to help clarify exactly how one feels about something. Bill

i love that watch but as someone that

 
By: Tobi : July 19th, 2011-05:29
wears a watch on the right wrist i can see how this watch is not suited for me...

Yes....

 
By: MiniCooper : April 5th, 2010-08:33
most of my watches are manuals..... but one at the time.... cheers

Thanks, Bill and mr Pink for...

 
By: NoMilkToday : April 5th, 2010-09:09
... your comments. And Bill, I love the picture of the 1921 on your wrist. I suits you well. And I think it will suit me well also. Next week my hunt starts to see it live in a shop. I rearranged my budget in preparation. Thanks again.

I have the Patrimony Contemporaine Auto - WG

 
By: hewitgar : April 5th, 2010-13:41
... it is a little thicker than the manual wind - which I like (but it is still a slim watch). It is Auto - which I like (I find the winding crown too small - personally) It is extemely comfortable on the wrist, very understated, but some time with it and... 

I share your view gh ...

 
By: NoMilkToday : April 6th, 2010-04:13
Indeed, the Patrimony Contemporaine Auto, with and - even more - without date, is an elegant statement of longlasting beauty. It depends on skintype and clothing which looks best, WG or RG. I like them both very much. During this thread I decided to focus...