Vacheron Constantin

respo
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Another list

Well, my relationship with Vacheron Constantin is still young, so I fear that I am not experienced enough to participate in this game, and I certainly cannot approach it without sounding like a broken record since I have already written about two of my choices ad nauseum.

Historiques American 1921

As Alex already wrote above, the American 1921 has become a modern icon. It was also my first VC and remains the one I would choose again as my first watch from this brand had I to do it all over. I do find myself gravitating more and more toward simple watches, and the 1921 is a simple watch – just with a twist.

More importantly to me, from the moment I strapped it on for the first time, the 1955 felt like coming home, as if I had been wearing it for decades. I have only one other watch that has ever felt like that, so I knew it was a good sign.  The bridges and plates are in 18k 4N rose gold, which takes this watch over the top for me, even though looking at the watch from the dial side, one cannot imagine anyone ever referring to this watch as “over the top.” The 4N rose gold, by the way, really lies somewhere between rose and yellow gold and has a very warm feel to it. There is nothing I do not admire nor love about the 1955, but perhaps its best feature is that it is so unassuming in its presence. It is, as we sometimes like to say, a very stealthy watch. 

Since, Bill, you said we could list watches we have handled even if we have not owned them, I will “jump” to my third, a watch I hope to own someday.   

Saltarello   

I had the chance to try this very Saltarello out last summer at a Vacheron event.  Mike let me play with his new baby for a good part of the luncheon and I was hooked.  I have not yet seen a Mercator in the metal, and I suspect it would supersede the Saltarello in my view as the more iconic piece from Vacheron Constantin.  Still, the Saltarello has it all for me.  1) A good size, wearing larger than its stated size due to the squarish cushion shape.  2) There is a killer movement with a skeletonized rotor that I wish VC had put on some other models with the same movement (including the Mercator). 3) Then there is the alternative time display that is such a rich part VC’s heritage.  With a jump hour and retrograde minutes, the instantaneous ballet occurring at the top of the hour is magical.  I must have one of these.  I feel certain Mike is already beginning to tire of his and looking to place it in a good new home…;-)  Just nod your head in agreement, Mike, so I can keep the fantasy alive.

Well, that's my list with probably no surprises to anyone.

Best,

respo