Vacheron Constantin - Bill, this is a great summary

Bill, this is a great summary

May 31, 2011,06:00 AM

I have been waiting for a history of these amazing watches from VC -- and you delivered!!!

The Mercator has fascinated me for a long time now. It was probably the first Vacheron that really caught my eye even before I "discovered" the 1921.

I slightly prefer the Mercator v. the Tribute to the Great Explorers simply because I like the retrograde hours/minutes hands representing the dividers -- that complication just seems to work so well within the theme of these watches. But I have to admit, I am a big fan of the wandering hours mechanism especially when executed so artfully as in these examples. The complication, if not the execution of it, seems very similar to, say, the AP Starwheel or even the Urwerk, correct? But here, VC employs the complication in the service of the elegant watch where the artwork of the dial seems to be the star of the show. With respect to the AP and Urwerk, both of which I admire very much (the Starwheel is a longtime favorite of mine), the wandering hour is the star of the show, with the watch built around the complication.

I am thinking, or rather fantasizing, that the North America Mercator (with "America" at the top of the dial, after all) would really complement my current VC collection, don't you think? I am sure it would be easy to come by and that I could afford it. LOL. But it would be prefect, no?

Thanks for writing this up and illustrating it so generously with the beautiful images. This one really sent me over the top.

Best always,

Robert

Art and Complication - A look at the Tribute to the Great Explorers

By: WHL : May 30th, 2011-19:30

It could almost go without saying (since I’ve said it so often!) that Vacheron Constantin makes some of the finest dress watches today. Vacheron Constantin also creates a number of watches with innocative and interesting complications. In the Metiers d’Ar...

Hour wheels

By: aaronm : May 30th, 2011-20:11

I had always assumed they were painted sapphire disks, like the AP wandering hour, but they appear to be cut-out metal. Any idea what they're made of, they must be crazy thin! thanks for the report A

I don't know the material of the hands....

By: WHL : June 2nd, 2011-19:46

but will ask VC for the answer. Thanks for reading. Bill

Beautiful

By: cisco : May 31st, 2011-00:59

One of the most amazing detail of this watch is the extreme thin enamel calendar, a real masterpiece to produce. It is very complicated to do an enamel dial in such a thickness.

I know making these dials is hard work....

By: WHL : June 2nd, 2011-19:48

and with only the two artisans making them, one can wait a long time for delivery of one of these Great Explorer watches. Bill

Artistic Excellence and Haute Horlogerie

By: patrickh : May 31st, 2011-01:20

VC at his BEST. IMHO, The First Brand which combine at this high level these 2 perpetual knowledge with excellent worldwide artists. How not to fall in love for these creations. Thanks for sharing again and again..... Love them ;-)))) Cheers, Patrickh

While a lot of brands work hard to bring us

By: WHL : June 2nd, 2011-19:49

technical masterpieces, none combine technical excellence with artistic merit quite like Vacheron Constantin. Bill

great writeup and review. i just want to say these mercators are the independent's within

By: a.ler : May 31st, 2011-03:50

vacheron's maison ! love the concept, love them and very collectible in my opinion, especially for us who daren't go a big way collecting the independent's for future's visibility and serviceability.

I remember listening to VC's Artistic Director...

By: WHL : June 2nd, 2011-19:53

Chiristian Selmoni talk about the development of the Great Explorer watches and how the Urwerk team had independently developed their own wandering hour display and filed their own patents at the same time as VC. It's hard to believe how the same concept ...

Beautiful creations

By: Davo : May 31st, 2011-05:04

These pieces always blow me away. Thanks for posting, Bill.

Thank you Davo...

By: WHL : June 2nd, 2011-19:54

It's always a pleasure to experience these great watches and write about them. Bill

Bill, this is a great summary

By: respo : May 31st, 2011-06:00

I have been waiting for a history of these amazing watches from VC -- and you delivered!!! The Mercator has fascinated me for a long time now. It was probably the first Vacheron that really caught my eye even before I "discovered" the 1921. I slightly pre...

The Mercator would fit well within your collection....

By: WHL : June 2nd, 2011-19:59

though I think the 36 mm case might be smaller than your would prefer. I know one of the 10 wrists that it sits on, so just let me know if you want an introduction... Bill...

A tad small, yes, but...

By: respo : June 2nd, 2011-20:05

arrrggghhhhh...so beautiful! And of course, you know a wrist upon which one sits. You kill me, Bill! Best always, respo

exquisite

By: playtime : June 1st, 2011-20:30

a marriage the mechanical and the artistic thx for sharing J

Thanks, J. nt

By: WHL : June 2nd, 2011-19:59

While I appreciate all the craftsmanship and hours of tremendous effort

By: radekw : June 6th, 2011-14:35

that go into creation of these pieces of art these watches don't quite fullfil my expectations. First, Mercator, which I prefer for its unprecedented concept and design, is simply too small for my taste. It would be simply awesome to see this piece reintr...