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Mark, indeed one is lucky when they get
to handle a MR. I feel at this level of Grand Complications, PP, VC, JLC, ALS, FPJ (even Breguet / Blancpain) have very little equal. Yes, other brands and independents have a few pieces off-course, but these four are really something. PP and VC are able to create MR in a Classical sense.
The 1731 is my favorite grand complication from the current VC range. If I had the money to buy a watch at this level, I would look at only PP and VC. (I had the opportunity to see a ridicolous looking flying tourbillon made by an independent last week and very very expensive and could not understand who buys such rubbish. Please PM me if you want to know the brand name.)
I do sort of have a VC bias, but am trying not to go so overboard. I am critical of many VC's too. I have begun to learn and love Lange, and I like many PP's. I think PP at grand complication level has very little equal, and also has a broader range than, say VC. But then PP is by application, whereas other brands are not.
Review of a rare piece: the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Ultra-thin 1731 Minute Repeater
Gentlemen, I had the rare opportunity to handle the rare Vacheron Constantin "Patrimony Ultra-thin 1731" , before summer (thus before the Watches & Wonders new announcements) and thought it deserved to have an article. I've been caught up by the Watch...
There is a thing I love a lot on this watch, the movement.
I am not fan of the rest. The case? I find it too big, lacking charm ( see, for example the Les Cabinotiers MR, THAT one is beautiful, with lot of charm, and exquisite ). The dial? This small second is not my cup of tea. Now, Vacheron minute repeaters sou...
Very nice movement indeed
For the thinness, I browsed the MR of many brands and I forgot to add manually last year's HM11. Thanks for rectifying. VC's movement remains thinner than the JLC's but is manual though. Anyway, for 2 10th of a millimeter we can say they are alike in term...
Yes, which is even more remarkable, as an automatic movement is slightly thicker than a
Manual, since you have to add the rotor... Yes I guess it was not possible to locate the small second elsewhere.... But, in this case, I would have preferred without small second. Maybe I would have liked it? Best, Nicolas
Who knows!
It was available in the Parisian Boutique if you are curious about it. Cheers Nicolas.
Very different outfit and look indeed
As a vintage lover I can easily imagine why you like this one, it is very nice.
Not a vintage one. The movement is not bad, either.
It's the dimension of the case, the lugs which disturb me with this Patrimony. When it is supposed to be so dressy, I prefer smaller dimensions. Or, if it wants to be modern, then I have no problems with that kind of offer, which is quite conceptual. Best...
Other Minute Repeaters
In my vocabulary I missuse "vintage" a little too much when the design (look) is clearly more classical, without the modern lines that characterize today's style. I take a shortcut I imagine This is not real vintage indeed. As for the model you posted, th...
Same movement, indeed, but skeletonized.
Here is a picture of the skeleton version: Indeed, a matter of taste. Best, Nicolas ...
Taste
In fact, if you remember I'm not at all fan of this "sculptured" style and, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't say it is nicer than the one you posted but I would say it is more impressive and interesting to me.
I think it is a very handsome watch.
Whether or not it is the slimmest MR or merely second slimmest, it is still a bit of spectacular watch-making. Perhaps a bit large at 41mm, but not by much. And, as Nico states, the movement is quite something to admire. I do believe it should be tested a...
Spectacular indeed.
And I can tell you it is of a very high finishing level, whether dealing with movement or with case and dial work. Well, if you wish to give of you time I'll send it tomorrow then. Thanks for your input Padj Cheers, Mark
Great review
Hi Thanks for this - great review. Very nice watch, overall I really like the restraint with the watch. Sounds really good too. Cheers JML
You spotted right
It is very discreet and elegant. In the mean time, it is very complicated and a very well brought to completion piece. Glad you liked the review JML, thanks for your words! Cheers, Mark
A top VC!
Thank you for the informative post and the explanation why the regulator is so quiet. It is a very well thought and executed MR and also nicely incorporated into the Patrimony design. The small second between 8:00 and 9:00 is to me a nice and unusual posi...
I agree, it is a great model.
And it was my pleasure Moritz It is a watch far beyond my means but I thought during the days following this experience that I would really love to wear this watch. You approach of the small second place is very interesting and exeeds classical patterns. ...
Thanks Mark for this superb review
Surely a very beautiful caliber with a superb sound. Of course since I am not fond of the Patrimony case, I cannot go mad with its beauty but of course an MR remains an MR... Thanks for sharing, Mike
It is indeed a rare and very well made piece
As for the case, I guess that if their goal was come to such a thinness it was more spectacular for VC to make it with a Contemporaine instead of a Traditionnelle case. Anyway, it sounds indeed great. Thank you for your warm comments Mike! Cheers, Mark
Mark, you must have felt like you are in Heaven when you got to 'evaluate' this piece. I
love everything about the 1731. The design, the diameter, the thickness, even the placement of the subdial. For me, the 1731 falls in a category of timepieces which ticks all the right boxes. Also at this level the price is not 'bad' as there is a lot of ...
Rare experience.
I felt I was so lucky. Not only because it was only my 3rd MR experience (after the JLC Master and the Speake-Marin) but because it is the most beautiful and elegant one I handled. I agree with your about what we can get in the Luxury watchmaking world (a...
Mark, indeed one is lucky when they get
to handle a MR. I feel at this level of Grand Complications, PP, VC, JLC, ALS, FPJ (even Breguet / Blancpain) have very little equal. Yes, other brands and independents have a few pieces off-course, but these four are really something. PP and VC are able ...
I agree.
As for my favorite grand complication, well it may indeed be the one. I tried the Traditionnelle 14 days Tourbillon which I like as it is beautiful and remains simple in the layout but it is a little too big. The other grand complication models are much b...