Vacheron Constantin

Geneva Boutique Exclusive: Patrimony Traditionnelle Retrograde Perpetual Calendar

 

Vacheron Constantin can be coy about some of the limited edition watches that it produces. While some limited edition watches get general press releases, others are more quietly marketed only in the country, or, on a smaller scale, by the single retailer who has rights to sell the watch.

The Internet, however, can spread news of a limited edition watch across the globe instantly. When members of the Hour Lounge community gathered in Geneva around the SIHH release of novelties, they were shown a limited edition Patrimony Traditionnelle Retrograde Perpetual Calendar watch that is only available at Vacheron Constantin's Geneva Boutique. Their reports, with photos, have been posted here and on other forums, and the watch has met with a warm reception. Alex Ghotbi has sent me photographs of the watch to share here.

The case is in 18K rose gold and is 40 mm in diameter. The solid case back is engraved with the image of Vacheron Constantin's Geneva Boutique.

The design motifs are consistent with the Patrimony Traditionnelle collection: polished stepped case and lugs, dauphine hands, knurled case back, opaline dial.

The movement is the 1126 QPR, which was first seen in the Malte Retrograde Perpetual Calendar. While the Malte also included a four digit year display, this model eschews that for the sake of a very clean layout: Hours, Minutes, Day, Month, Retrograde Date, and Leap Year. The circle at 3 o'clock is white in the first year of the leap year cycle, black and white in the second year, black in the third (2011), and rose gold for the leap year (2012).

This boutique edition is limited to 25 pieces.

Bill

This message has been edited by WHL on 2011-02-01 21:19:11