Vacheron Constantin

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...  

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... 

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... 

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

It was available in the Parisian Boutique if you are curious about it. Cheers Nicolas.

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As a vintage lover I can easily imagine why you like this one, it is very nice.

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...  

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...  

Here is a picture of the skeleton version: Indeed, a matter of taste. Best, Nicolas ...  

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.

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... 

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

Hi Thanks for this - great review. Very nice watch, overall I really like the restraint with the watch. Sounds really good too. Cheers JML

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

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... 

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. ... 

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

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

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 ... 

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... 

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 ... 

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...