The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

[no frills]

this is cool...



anyone know what model it is?

Yes - it's the 2009 reissuance of VC's Historique American 1921, also known as the "driver's watch." Put it on your wrist while you're driving and you don't need to cock your head at an angle to read the dial.

I saw this piece being sold at Wempe a few months ago in the mid-$30s (retail). It doesn't look like it lasted very long, it was gone within a couple of weeks.

 

[in stitches]

its a beauty.

 

[rnguy001]

Love this VC

this is cool...

anyone know what model it is?

 

[Belligero]



Love this VC

Same here — for me, it's one of their most appealing and distinctive watches.

Another Vacheron Constantin favourite is the Mercator, which was made with a variety of dials with detailed handmade maps in enamel.

(auction photo from watchreporting.com)

tiempo de lujo

I'm not sure whether it would suit my style, but it's a unique watch that I'd love to see in person.

 

[NonServiam]

The VC American is super cool! I stopped by my AD wednesday, tried on some dressier watches. The 40mm VC Patrimony was just too large and flat for me, but (as expected) the JLC MUT Moon 39 was right on the money! Sigh, I now have a new desire ... Considering the prices of VC in white gold vs JLC i steel, the outcome of the visit could have been worse though

 

[Belligero]



^ Have you handled these watches in real life? Do you know what they look like on your wrist?

Take a step back, you don't have to get a watch right now.

You're making just about every single mistake a beginner can make - settling, buying online, rushing into a purchase, buying in/from a country that is not exactly known for giving good prices with watches, basing your decision on reading spec lists (mineral glass vs non mineral glass??), etc.

Just thought this was worth repeating, as it succinctly covers a very frequent topic.

The decision-on-spec-list thing seems to be particularly common. It's not like you're buying some meaningless piece of disposable consumer electronics (well, at least not in most cases); much of the enjoyment of a watch comes from the intangibles. I'm keen on photography, and this type of thing seems to come up frequently on the very few times I'm on a camera forum (I stay the hell away from them except to find older lenses). Mind you, cameras essentially are disposable consumer electronics now, but it's still the intangibles that separate a great one from an impressive-on-paper dud.

Ergonomics, reliability, availability of parts, and feel of operation are hugely important, but there's no meaningful way express these factors on a spec list. Add a bunch of opinionated gear nerds ("equipment measurebators", as Ken Rockwell has so aptly put it), who spend far more time defending their pet camera system online than actually taking photos — therefore dominating the search results — and you can't blame people who are new to the hobby for focusing on the wrong areas.

There was a great piece of satire that sums up this state of affairs recently:

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/03/hammerforum-com

Anyway, don't buy watches on based on their paper specifications is what I'm saying.

Both my favourite camera and my favourite watch both have terrible specs, by the way:

 

[kungapa]



Anyway, don't buy watches on based on their paper specifications is what I'm saying.

Because then we would all wear quartz watches...

 

[Dino944]

this is cool...



anyone know what model it is?

I love the American 1921! Its part of their Historique collection. At the moment, IMHO its their nicest time only watch. Its the perfect size. It has great presence on the wrist, without being ridiculously large. Its probably one of the best modern versions of a vintage design that I've seen. Its also a watch that has to be tried on to truly be appreciated.

Same here — for me, it's one of their most appealing and distinctive watches.

Another Vacheron Constantin favourite is the Mercator, which was made with a variety of dials with detailed handmade maps in enamel.


(auction photo from watchreporting.com)


tiempo de lujo

I'm not sure whether it would suit my style, but it's a unique watch that I'd love to see in person.

A friend of mine purchased a pre-owned Mercator in Platinum. It was in interesting watch, but I can't say that in person I really liked it. The use of the calipers for telling time was cool, but in person something about the watch just left me cold. It may have had the same effect on my friend as he sold it after 2 or 3 years.

The VC American is super cool! I stopped by my AD wednesday, tried on some dressier watches. The 40mm VC Patrimony was just too large and flat for me, but (as expected) the JLC MUT Moon 39 was right on the money! Sigh, I now have a new desire ... Considering the prices of VC in white gold vs JLC i steel, the outcome of the visit could have been worse though

I find the 40 mm. VC Patrimony, too large and flat and just resembles a pancake on a strap. If you are looking for something interesting and dress from VC, and it doesn't have to be a round case...check out a 1921 American. Wishing you luck on whatever you decide.

Yes - it's the 2009 reissuance of VC's Historique American 1921, also known as the "driver's watch."

I saw this piece being sold at Wempe a few months ago in the mid-$30s (retail). It doesn't look like it lasted very long, it was gone within a couple of weeks.

Yes, they seem to have a good following and don't sit in stores for very long. I love how the watch looks and feels, but it does start to become a lot of money for a time only watch.

 

[in stitches]

Belligero - fantastic picture.
--
the VC id really like to own is one of their retrograde models. i love the symmetry and look of those models.

 

[Dino944]

the VC id really like to own is one of their retrograde models. i love the symmetry and look of those models.

If its the retrograde Patrimony, its a watch that just doesn't work for me. I don't care for the days spelled out and arching across the bottom of the dial. I prefer their Quai De L'ile retrograde annual calendar dial layout, although, I'm not in love with its case shape. So chances are if going for a retrograde watch, I'd opt for a different company's offerings.

 

[in stitches]



If its the retrograde Patrimony, its a watch that just doesn't work for me.  I don't care for the days spelled out and arching across the bottom of the dial.  I prefer their Quai De L'ile retrograde annual calendar dial layout, although, I'm not in love with its case shape.   So chances are if going for a retrograde watch, I'd opt for a different company's offerings. 

yes, i was referring to this, which i quite like.

i dont love the layout of the malte perp calendar retrograde. or the case shape of the Quai De L'ile retrograde annual calendar you mentioned.

but there is also this one i quite like, that might appeal more to you as well.

 

[mimo]

but there is also this one i quite like, that might appeal more to you as well.

Appeals to me

(Belligero, that was brilliant btw!)

 

[Dino944]

yes, i was referring to this, which i quite like.



i dont love the layout of the malte perp calendar retrograde. or the case shape of the Quai De L'ile retrograde annual calendar you mentioned.
Yes, I just don't like how they handled the days on that model.

but there is also this one i quite like, that might appeal more to you as well.

I like those retrograde that are from the mid 1990s, far more than the Patrimony or Quai De L'ile. I haven't seen one in person in a while, but they were nice watches.

 

[in stitches]



Appeals to me

I like those retrograde that are from the mid 1990s, far more than the Patrimony or Quai De L'ile.  I haven't seen one in person in a while, but they were nice watches. 

i love the RNs. look like the ones on the rolex DJ. also, i believe it has a JLC mvmnt.

 

[dbln79]