dshao1
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My first impression of all the Historiques is very positive
That should be no surprise for me either (hi Dean) 
But if I get to the point where I want to purchase a watch, I usually try to find the original if I can. (i.e, the CR and the 1968)
But there are some Historiques that I think are better than their originals:
1. I love the cal 1003/3 with 18k gold bridges and plates used in the 1955
2. I love the dial and prefer the modern cal 2460 movement used in the Toledo 1951
3. I love the herringbone design and RG hands on the grey dial of the 1972 (which I also include as a Historiques).
So these are my 3 favorite from the Historiques Collection.
BR, Dan
A Survey on Vacheron Constantin's Historiques Collection
I read Vacheron Constantins catalog as if it were the menu at a very fine restaurant in which everything looks good. Sometimes you just have to pick one thing and then commit to coming back again (and againand again) to experience other temptations. My ...
Great post.
Of these and at the risk of being labeled a me too, here I would vote for the American 21 although the boutique edition, simply because of the hands and lume. Fun post. Thanks for sharing.
A point about the Boutique 1921....
it is not actually a luminous material in the numbers and hands! Bill
Definitely this one.
Among those you mentionned, the Chronomètre Royal, without hesitation. Best, Nicolas ...
LOL! Definitely. I was wondering when this.....
marvelous jewel would pop-up;) I am with you on this one Nicolas, Historique Chronograph and Chronometre Royale but with the RED 12 . Cheers Francois from Down Under
agree 100%
I love the salmon dial on this one. It's very high on my dream watch list.
Great post Bill.
I like them all! I agree the Historiques collection is discussed less here and this is a great post to remind us on how finely made and beautiful this series is in VC's line-up. If I were to choose one amongst all of these, it will be the Chonometre Royal...
Thank you, Robin.....
I am very interested to see what your second Vacheron Constantin will be. :-) Bill
Hard to tell
but I always loved the fantastic elegance and pureness of the 1955. If you add the thinness of the movement and its beauty, it's a great watch at every level. But I understand the final choice is tough... and the temptation is great! Cheers, Mark
I think the 1955 is great....
and the execution and finish is fantastic. The only reason it isn't in the running for me is that I just wouldn't wear it that much, as much as I like it. Bill
Well.....
Having the 1921, Toledo 1952, and Nicolas' selection of th chrono in my watch box, I have admired the CR. I got to see the 1955 regularly via our Respo. I do love that 1003 movement. But I really fell for the piece unique in the CR in that blue enamel. I ...
Blue strap?
Hi Joe, I like your thinking on the platinum CR. Too bad you couldn't convince them to make another blue dial for you. Bill
Suffice it to say...
...I would not kick any of these out of bed. ;-) I actually wrote a longish reply to this post, but somehow it got lost in the series of tubes and wires we call the Internet. :-( So, I will merely say that the American 1921 is THE ONE for me. And the Hist...
I like that CR on your wrist.....
but I have the felling that it will not be your next VC. I'm most interested in seeing how you get a calibre 1400 into your collection: the Contemporaine, or perhaps the Aronde 1954? Bill
I took that photo, but sadly it is not my wrist
But it does look good, doesn't it? You and I are both looking forward to seeing how a cal. 1400 ends up in my collection. Time will tell. Best, respo
I need to get some photos of the 1972 Prestige....
But until then ,we'll have to live with the masthead that shows respo modeling it. Bill
Ha, ha! That's funny, Bill.
"...we'll have to live with the masthead that shows respo modeling it." But here is respo unoriginally modeling the original: Best, respo ...
Why am I not surprised by this? :-)
The purist in me agrees with you, but when it comes to daily wear, I typically find myself going with modern watches (this will be different when my XXL comes back). Bill
My first impression of all the Historiques is very positive
That should be no surprise for me either (hi Dean) :-) But if I get to the point where I want to purchase a watch, I usually try to find the original if I can. (i.e, the CR and the 1968) But there are some Historiques that I think are better than their or...
Thanks, Dan.....
the larger size of some models in the Historiques collection compared with the originals certainly makes them more appealing to a modern audience. Bill
I agree Bill. I'm just glad that I have scrawny wrists...
and can take advantage of the vintage market. ;-) BR, Dan
Dan,mi did get a wrist shot at the boutique
Gray dial And the boutique edition Both are beauties Joe ...
They look really sharp Joe!
And they fit your wrist quite well. Due to the case shape, I think a wider (not necessarily larger) wrist is needed for the 1972 to fit properly and feel good. BR, Dan
I like your thinking on this, Dan
...and, in general, I am in agreement with you. Here are a couple of shots I took when you were in the room at SIHH: There is a 40-year gap between these two siblings. Best, respo ...
Just keep both eyes on your 1972!
I like the shaped, cal 1050 with gyromax, free spring balance inside ;-) I also envy the cufflinks! :-0 BR, Dan
Tough Choice
If I had to pick one, it would, likely be the CR. The 1921 has really grown on me since I first saw it and asked "why the twisted dial?" To the point it seems like more watches should have that orientation since we spend so much time at keyboards and driv...
Excellent survey, Bill
Thanks for including the back side of a few of those exquisite pieces. As for a favourite...WOW! I have to paraphrase Alex Karis who played Mongo in Blazing Saddles: "Dunno...Mongo think all watches look pretty!" :-) I would really have a tough time, but ...
My favorite is
the CR in platinum, I was lucky enough to try it at the Geneva boutique, I liked its simplicity and the unique dial/metal combo, sadly did not take a WS. No 2 is the American 1921, I also love the 1955, and was really convinced it will soon be on my wrist...
1955 no doubt for me!
Many thanks Bill for the comprehensive report. As for me no doubt I choose the ultra thin 1955. I am totally crazy about that one: it is so elegant and classy! (but so damned expensive that it will remain a dream) ;-( A stunning 2 hands watch: the perfect...
HI Mike.......
I'm really looking forward to seeing what you have from the Collectionnieurs!! Hopefully you'll get the 1955 to go next to it. :-) Bill
1955 is my first choice
I saw this one "en chair et en os" recently, and it's amazing. Nicest ultra thin I've ever seen. The 36 mm case is perfect. 1972 prestige de france or 1968 tie for second choice.