Tick Talk
[Vacheron Moderator]
2191
Hi Robert, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this iconic model
When this model was first released, I looked into the origins of the style to rebut the slightly irksome label of Driver's watch. I came away surprised with the number of variations that had existed. The original design from 1919 was an adaptation of a pendant watch movement which, like the later "top-winder" wrist watches, placed the crown in an unconventional position. But, in this case (pun intended), the dial was tilted to the left placing the crown at 11 o'clock.
In 1921, the dial was shifted right and crown appeared at 1 o'clock; the Historiques 1921 inspiration.
At the time of the 1919 version, V&C already had the distinctive oversize cushion shape in the collection, including a version with military-style radium dial had sub-seconds and crown at the conventional positions. You recall this dial also inspired the New York Boutique edition.
A really interesting variation featured the iconic cushion case and offset crown at 1. However, the military dial was conventionally oriented. But the sub-seconds, true to the movement's Lepine origins, appeared at 7 o'clock!
As you pointed out, the 1921 QP clearly departs from the traditional designs in featuring complications.
Is it what I think it is?
A 1921 with a perpetual calendar plus moonphase? It’s spectacular no doubt, it’s unique no doubt. But I would have to see it in the flesh in order to see if it’s “wow” or “not so wow” Fortunately if all goes well, I’ll see it in the flesh coming Tuesday. ...
Stunning
The pictures are enough to say it is a stunning Vacheron Constantin. I like the way the numerals are on the right places. Yes, the heritage Americana 1926 with the 12 on a crazy position is a bit too odd. This is for all strange dial layout watches. I am ...
Exciting watch but I hope you get a new camera for your birthday ;-)
This was posted on THL about the piece: "In 2008 Vacheron Constantin also released an American 1921 perpetual calendar in platinum housing the automatic cal 1120. Limited to 20 pieces made for the Vacheron Constantin boutiques of Geneva, Moscow, Hong Kong...
You are on top of it, Dean!
Thanks for providing the details and a nice close up image! Best, respo
I have to admit...
I have mixed feelings about this "1921." I did when it first came out and I do even now. It is the only 1921 with a complication that I am aware of. It retains some of the design elements of the original American 1921 with the unusual crown placement, the...
Hi Robert, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this iconic model
When this model was first released, I looked into the origins of the style to rebut the slightly irksome label of Driver's watch. I came away surprised with the number of variations that had existed. The original design from 1919 was an adaptation of a pe...
Thanks for these images and information
It is always a pleasure to see these cushion cases from the 1910s and 1920s. The "driver's watch" label always irked me, too. I still feel that the origins and the "why" of the tilted-dial cushion shaped watch remain unknown. This example below is also fr...
sorry I wasn't clear Robert
the "why" of the tilted dial is because the movement is an older lepine type, originally made for use with ladies pendant watches, with crown at 12 o'clock and sub-seconds at 6. This configuration was retained for use with wrist watches by tilting the mov...
