patrick_y
[PuristSPro Moderator]
33677
I used to think the same way...
Then I realized, almost all of these brands are owned by some conglomerate and these brands are all just looking for a niche. In the music world, bands are "manufactured" by music studio executives who have identified an uncatered-to niche in the market. Bulgari makes a great watch in the Octo Finissimo - it's won more awards lately than I can count. Chopard is a true family-owned brand like Patek Philippe. Rolex is run by a board and is not family owned, but independent from everything else.
While Vacheron Constantin has mostly stuck to its true roots, (with some weird moves here and there like the move away from Geneva Seal movements in some watches) it is a true watch brand. BUT, even true watch brands are profiteering opportunistic companies. And all the executives are looking for their next big sales bonus.
Vacheron Constantin 222 Dreaming...
If one were to dream of a Vacheron Constantin... What would you dream of? I'd dream of a 222 in steel, blue dial. Maybe 37-40mm in diameter. With a high quality Geneva Seal movement inside. Not sure about the date - I suppose most people want automatic an...
It’s coming (hopefully). Not sure about dial color etc.
At least that’s what I’m hearing from friends that are big VC collectors.
I think they're right!
But in all honesty; this case and bracelet aren't that much nicer than the Chopard Alpine Eagle. The Chopard LUC 96 movement in the Alpine Eagle might also be superior to the 2455 movement too.
I’ve seen chopard watches but don’t know anything about the new ones.
I had a MM in the past that I sold. Still have the matching cufflinks with the same rubber tread as the strap.
Ahh. Well. You read this article...
You read this article already... www.watchprosite.com 1/ And the Chopard movement on paper is probably better in many ways than the Vacheron Constantin 2455 movement.
I generally think of brands like chopard or Cartier as jewelry brands.
Something my wife wears. And even though I have a Piaget I put that brand in the same category. Whereas brands like Patek and Rolex are truly watch brands. Now, it doesn’t mean they chopard and Cartier or Piaget don’t make amazing watches (they do), I jus...
I used to think the same way...
Then I realized, almost all of these brands are owned by some conglomerate and these brands are all just looking for a niche. In the music world, bands are "manufactured" by music studio executives who have identified an uncatered-to niche in the market. ...
I don’t necessarily disagree.
I just haven’t spent time learning about brands like bulgari or chopard watchmaking and know them primarily for their jewelry my wife likes.
You're missing out. The Chopard 96 series movement is a great movement. And the Bulgari Octo Finissimo is a great watch.
And don't take my word for it. The GPHG and even the snobby Patek Philippe collectors are wearing the latest Alpine Eagle pink dial variant and the Octo Finissimo.
Most of the remaining watches I'd like to....
obtain in life are VCs! 1921, Overseas, Mercator!! Besides that, a really high end Reverso ........
There is chatter in Reddit that it’s coming soon.
I was expecting them to first release a white gold or just keep the 222 line only in gold but it seems VC decided to bestow the masses the thing they want.
General hype is up I guess, wouldn’t you say?
Not only on certain references but generally watches sell well these days, which is cool as maisons offer more references. Let’s see when VC will announce the new steel 222. Hope they make a rectangular one too, I might not resist to that one.
Agreed. That logo stamp is a great chef's kiss!
The bracelet is a little too matte for me. I wished they'd do some very thin polished edges like they do on the Nautilus. The Nautilus just does it soooo well.
A steel 222?
Why not as it seems to be desired, but I have other expectations from VC, especially in the Historiques collection, to which the 222 belongs. VC hasn’t introduced anything new in this wonderful collection for a while now, so there lies my hope.
Huge effort by R&D
Nice watch, boring catalogue. Waiting for the press release but I think it will be WR 50 m at the best, which is disappointing. The overseas 2000 in steel would be a great re- edition, but I think they'll keep it for the next years...
You are right. The WR will be far from great.
And yes, I don't think the 222 even went through the R&D department... Heritage department took all the credit! If it went to R&D department, it probably only went there to see what they could economize? I hope I'm not being too critical here.
OOOooooohhh! I like the way you think!
Although with the 1121 movement, the date will lose the quick adjust, have to go to 11PM and to 1AM multiple times to adjust the date multiple dates. So would you keep the date then? Or just go dateless?
I’d be fine either way. It’s just that I prefer the old movement.
Then again - the 16202 had a new movement as well and the new 222 movement is better finished so perhaps I could live with it after all.
True!
Hmm. AP 16202, Patek 5811/1, Patek 5712/1, or VC 222 as they come from the factory right now. Which one is your favorite? I'm not impartial since I already adore the 5712 and I like micro rotors. Even though 5712 isn't exactly traditional.
During my visit to VC in November
I asked if they had any thoughts on a steel 222. They did not (of course) reveal any big news like that to me. However I thought I could sense thoughts a long the line "why should we do that when we are far from fullfilling the customer requests on the go...
It will be a cash cow.
But VC won't milk it too much - all the brands have the same strategy. Create a hype watch and always make 10 less than they can sell to keep the hype alive.
Yup. That's Vacheron Constantin's intention.
Every brand needs their "Daytona" or "hype" model. The 222 wasn't a great seller when it came out neither. But it was reintroduced since the fashion/style trend is an integrated bracelet sports watch with some thinness and elegance.
The 100 meter WR and screw down crown is a must.
Otherwise, its just a fancy dress watch pretending to be a sport watch.
No date for me..
steel, 37mm and at a price that I can afford! Unlikely and if it is probably just harder to get hold of. At least I will save!
Yes! But this watch won't have a seconds hand so it wouldn't qualify.
Chronometre Royal has to have a second hand right? I presume.
Most important: no seconds hand.
Nice pic by the way ;-) I feel honored my friend. Cheers, HSTE
Agreed! Who needs seconds!
I'd really like the Patek 5711 if it didn't have the seconds hand. The older Jumbo didn't have a second hand. Hope you're well and safe! And what a great pic indeed!
That’s why my grail trilogy: the …
PP3700, AP5402 and the VC222, all with the same movement, as you know. Cheers, HSTE ...