WHL[VC Moderator]
4922
WHL's favorite VC Novelty from SIHH 2013
May 29, 2013,20:55 PM
I did not travel to Geneva this year to witness the introduction of
Vacheron Constantin’s 2013 novelties, instead waiting for the
novelties to come to me (or at least to enter the country on the carnet
case). I traveled down to NY in late April to lunch with some fellow
PuristS and collectors before heading up to the boutique to experience
in person a selection of the novelties with Hyla Bauer, Vacheron
Constantin’s Public Relations Manager.
While the focus of
Vacheron Constantin’s 2013 collection is dedicated to women, with
gorgeous pieces in the Malte, Patrimony Contemporaine, Patrimony
Traditionnelle, and the Metier d'Art Florilege collections, there were
a few men's pieces announced that are obviously much more to my taste.
The three watches that have captured attention are the 1972 Prestige de
la France, the Patrimony Contemporaine Pocket watch in rose gold, and
the Patrimony Traditionnelle in platinum with gray dial.
While
the 1972 Prestige and Patrimony Pocket Watch are rather specialized
products which will be produced in limited numbers, the Patrimony
Traditionnelle is a variation on a current classic, introduced in rose
gold in 2009, and in white gold the following year, and which sells
very well for the brand.
The case is 38 mm in diameter and
retains all the design motifs of the Traditionnelle family: the lateral
line along the sides of the polished case which continues on to the
sculpted lug; knurled case back; Dauphine hands with half polished,
half frosted finish; and railroad track minutes along the outer ring of
the dial in a different hue from the main dial.
For
the past few years Vacheron Constantin has been outfitting gray dials
with platinum cased watches, giving them a separate and distinct
characteristic from the silver dials that are partnered with white gold
watches, something that only aficionados would recognize.
Patrimony Traditionnelle side by side with Patrimony Contemporaine It
is a subtle display of high luxury, appealing to those who wish to
remain discreet while also being a versatile and fashionable choice for
wear.
With this platinum watch, both the movement and the case
will be engraved with the Geneva Hallmark, signifying the updated, more
stringent requirements that a watch must fulfill to obtain the seal.
The beautifully designed and finished Vacheron Constantin calibre 4400,
now in production for five years, has also proven to be a reliable
workhorse for the brand.
With
a retail value of $34,000, I also like the fact that the platinum
Patrimony Traditionnelle is the list expensive of the three gentlemen’s
novelties this year. I have two questions for the forum:
What’s not to like?
Which one of you is going to be the first to get it?
Bill
VC Forum Moderator