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Overview of the Vacheron Constantin "Top Winders"
The crown at 12 o'clock? On a dress watch?
Strange, but why not! Vacheron Constantin has offered many models over the years: here are all the ones I could find.
What do you think of this unusual crown placement? Do you have a favorite model?
Best regards, Emmanuel
A/ LES HISTORIQUES REF. 92012 (1990s)
1/ White gold
credit: Tokant
2/ Yellow gold
credit: Watches of Knightsbridge
3/ Yellow gold and Lapis Lazuli dial
credit: Classic55
credit: Tokant
2/ Yellow gold
credit: Watches of Knightsbridge
3/ Yellow gold and Lapis Lazuli dial
credit: Classic55
B/ VINTAGE MODELS
1/ DIAL WITH 3-9-12 NUMERALS
a/ Sword hands
credit: Christie’s
credit: invaluable
credit: Antiquorum
credit: Green auctioneers
credit: Antiquorum
credit: Wannenes & Roni Madhvani
b/ Leaf hands
2/ DIAL WITH 2-4-8-10-12 NUMERALS
credit: Antiquorum
credit: cadmoreauctions
3/ DIAL WITH ALL NUMERALS EXCEPT 6
credit: Antiquorum
The "Don Pancho" (Minute repeater)
credit: Hodinkee & Phillips
credit: Antiquorum
4/ DIAL WITH ROMAN NUMERALS
credit: aaron_coop_
5/ DIAL WITH INDEXES
credit: Antiquorum
credit: @theoandharris
credit: Antiquorum
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Overview of the Vacheron Constantin "Top Winders"
The crown at 12 o'clock ? On a dress watch ? Strange , but why not ! Vacheron Constantin has offered many models over the years: here are all the ones I could find . What do you think of this unusual crown placement ? Do you have a favorite model? Best re...
What beautiful and classy looking watches these Vacheron Constantin Les Historiques are.
I hadn't seen these before but really like the idea of the crown at 12 and much prefer the neo vintage versions with the seconds dial at 3. Marc
Some part of me likes them, but the other one is skeptical.
I love winding my manual winding watches and I think the crown at 12 o'clock probably makes the experience uncomfortable. Best, Emmanuel
Terrific post!
I've seen some of these, having started in the early 80's in this hobby. My favorite, apart from the tonneau minute repeater is the yellow gold breguet enamel dial. Talk about a glorious calatrava.
It looks lovely indeed,
but I have doubts about the winding experience. I love winding my manual winding watches and I think the crown at 12 o'clock probably makes the experience uncomfortable, unfortunately. Best, Emmanuel
First Generation F.P. Journe Resonance was a pain to wind because of its crown and crown position.
These look a little better since the crown looks a little bigger. But still look less than ideal. Also, the gap between strap and case is HUGE. They probably did this so the strap wouldn't rub on the crown if it were a thicker strap.
Yes, I have mixed feelings about the crown at 12 o'clock.
Original design, but I love winding my manual winding watches and I think the crown at 12 o'clock probably makes the experience uncomfortable. Best, Emmanuel
Almost went for the 92012 many years ago…
And still regret not having done so. An intriguing watch for sure 👌🏻👍🏻
Yes, intriguing and somehow appealing,
but I have mixed feelings, because I really love winding my manual winding watches and I think the crown at 12 o'clock probably makes the experience uncomfortable. So I don't think I would fully enjoy such a watch. Best, Emmanuel
Always liked those '90s versions, quattro.
There are more than a few gems from that era. But of these, it's gotta be the tonneau repeater.
Of course, the Pancho is in a league of its own, no doubt about it.
That said, I love winding my manual winding watches and I think the crown at 12 o'clock probably makes the experience uncomfortable, even with the Pancho, unfortunately. Best, Emmanuel
before being christened Don Pancho
that stunning 1936 watch was first revealed to the Hour Lounge forum by a descendant who found it neglected in a drawer and was looking for information. These are a couple of the photos shared with us. Interestingly, few years earlier V&C had crafted two ...
Thank you so much for sharing these photos.
I have, of course, read extensively the story and history of this watch sold in 2019. Quite fascinating. VC has done a nice restored replacement dial and thankfully they’ve left the original one untouched. What’s sad though is that, given the amount paid ...
I agree that the replacement dial looks too new,
but wasn't it a good idea to keep the original dial in its original state and just make another dial? I think this solution might be better than cleaning the original dial, not really knowing how it will come out in the end... Just my take on this dilemma...
Wonder if it is hard to manipulate
being so close to the strap. Personally, I prefer crowns to be at the 3 o'clock position.
Yes, same for me.
I love winding my manual winding watches and I think the crown at 12 o'clock probably makes the experience uncomfortable. Best, Emmanuel
Wonderful example and shots, thanks for sharing !
But I love winding my hand-wound watches and I suspect that the crown at 12 o'clock doesn't make the experience comfortable, unfortunately. Best, Emmanuel
The reason behind top-winders
For the 1930’s pieces, V&C used Lepine-type pendant watch movements re-purposed for the new wristlet fad. Winder at 12 and seconds at 6 are the consequence. The original American 1921 can also credit its distinctive look to Lepine movements.
As a current owner of one of the 1935 pieces (and not pictured above), I would like to chime in with some of my thoughts...
1) the 1935 watch came in two slightly different sizes, one being 29mm and the other slightly bigger at 29.5mm. This is due to a difference in the lugs. On some of the cases, the lugs are tapered off on the sides (smaller size), while on some others the l...
I share your sentiments
Charles Constantin was very explicit in the Annales that these top-winders were an economic, not aesthetic, initiative. It is ironic that what was initially a design compromise became a desirable feature with the Re-edition. Still, dipping into their hist...
I find it very interesting to learn about the background of these pieces.
Thank you. Best, Emmanuel
Wow, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experience
in such a detailed way. It is really very interesting to read your comment. I had noticed that there are two styles of crown, one integrated, the other above. But I didn't pay enough attention to the different lugs and, of course, I didn't know about the ...
Fantastic collection.
I have owned only one top-winder watch, a Cartier Tank Basculante. As much as I loved that watch, I can confirm that the crown at 12 o'clock made the experience uncomfortable. ...
It's a beautiful example. Thanks for sharing it.
But, of course, a manual-winding movement has to offer a pleasant winding experience, otherwise something's definitely wrong. Best, Emmanuel
Thank you for sharing this piece and your experience.
This is a major timepiece and of course it can only be a pity if the winding wasn't a pleasurable experience. Best, Emmanuel