NWA: picked up my first ever Vacheron Constantin and didn't expect this one!
I just got this Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar Openface in white gold (it's a mouthful...) and I'm in love, but I didn't think I'd start my VC collection with this one!
I always drooled over Vacheron's Overseas model like everyone else, but also their retro remake of the Cornes de Vache, or horns of the cow, literally, as the lugs are shaped to a point. Retro vibe, beautifully shaped lugs as mentioned, nice movement, distressed looking strap, great proportions for me, v cool.
However, when I saw the Openface Traditionelle, I immediately fell in love with the really sleek, modern look. It's a 180° turn from the Cornes de Vache (CdV) and VC's usually traditional style.
I visited the boutique a few weeks ago to try on the rose gold version of the CdV, which I didn't want but I wanted to see the fit of the watch. After chatting with the SA and telling her I loved the look of the Openface, she pulled this out...it was waiting for its owner to pick it up.
It looked so different than the press pics. You see all the details of the day/month on the website, it looks a bit messy, the eye doesn't know where to focus, etc. Still, I liked it.
Seeing it in person was night and day. The eyes are drawn to the highlighted day/month and you don't really see the others. The hands reflect light so well because of the polishing on half of the razor sharp dauphine hands balanced by the frosted/media blasted(?) other half. The inner workings of the watch don't stand out so clearly , so doesn't look as cluttered in the press pics. I could go on and on, but long story short IRL the watch was so in focus yet complicated if that makes any sense.
It might be polarizing with it's skeletonized look, but it's not really skeletonized. The dial has a clear sapphire face, so you can see some of the parts. There is a real dial but it's partially cut out at the top and there's a nice lined pattern to give it some texture. The railway track on the outside shows the date with a crescent moon pointer and it frames the watch itself.
Some of my pics are here (in very bright light, you see all the details, in normal light, there's more "focus")
It sits very flat on my wrist and is super comfortable. The bottom of the case has like a coin edge finish, which is a nice touch even if others can't really see it. The movement is beautiful and really well decorated, so it has the Geneva Seal. The gold rotor with the maltese cross cut out is nice. The only small gripe is that I wish the movement fully fit the case
I can't take off the watch, I love it. It's practical as well with the "complete calendar" function, ie triple calendar + moon phase.
While I never thought this would be my first VC, I'm glad I ended up with it. What do you guys think? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Avid watch wearer, not collector. Like my children, I love all of my watches equally, but I love my Lange the best.
Absolutely stunning watch. Congrats!!
And I think this applies to most if not all high-end watches: they actually look much better in real life than in pictures. The opposite also often the case...
Guess you'll spend a fairly ridiculous amount of time just glancing at your wrist and enjoying what see you see there for the foreseeable future 😎
I'm a sucker for a triple calendar with moonphase, and wasn't aware this was around. I normally despise skeletonization, but this does seem to alleviate the usual problems. The white back-framing of the day and month printed on clear wheels is really sublime. I'm also rather fond of the more realistic moon depiction, as CW did on their Moonglow, which loses the typical Edwardian appearance of said complication.
Wow what a watch. For me, there is a bit too much going on on the dial, but congratulations! Would love to see a review anytime soon
Yeah the pics don't do it justice, but also there is a lot going on. That's one reason why I am drawn to it. It's weird, I love my nomos bc it's super clean, but then I love this crazy watch.
Oh a proper review? Yeah sure I'll do that next!
Absolutely stunning watch. Congrats!!
And I think this applies to most if not all high-end watches: they actually look much better in real life than in pictures. The opposite also often the case...
Guess you'll spend a fairly ridiculous amount of time just glancing at your wrist and enjoying what see you see there for the foreseeable future 😎
Haha , yeah I'm still in honeymoon phase, so I randomly look at my watch for 30s while I'm in the office or I take pics and then quickly look around to see if anyone saw me doing that. 🤣
I'm a sucker for a triple calendar with moonphase, and wasn't aware this was around. I normally despise skeletonization, but this does seem to alleviate the usual problems. The white back-framing of the day and month printed on clear wheels is really sublime. I'm also rather fond of the more realistic moon depiction, as CW did on their Moonglow, which loses the typical Edwardian appearance of said complication.
Yeah, I haven't seen this complete calendar approach inany watches. It's my first moon phase as well, which I love. I also like moon phases for being kinda useless, but it's so cute to see a stylized moon and stars. On this watch, it's a photo realistic moon, to align with the modern look.
I love It.. congratulations
I love bing open minded and allowing a watch to surprise you! Congrats
Wow!!! That’s a pretty serious watch!!! Congrats.
I appreciate your enthusiasm and open-mindedness (and I love many of VC's designs), but to be honest that watch is a bit much for my eyes.
Whew, what a piece, congratulations! This is hard to appreciate just from pictures. It's much more cohesive in person.
Great one!
Looks awazing
Amazing watch - huge congratulations !!
That thing is awesome. Congratulations!
Stunning watch! Congratulations!
Wear it in the best of health
Whew, what a piece, congratulations! This is hard to appreciate just from pictures. It's much more cohesive in person.
Yeah, 100% it is. It's only been available for a year or so and it's quite hard to get. My official boutique received their first piece this year and it's may! This is their 2nd watch they launched with this openface look after an amazing "twin beat" watch that can go on low power mode and last 30+ days with the same open face style.
I think VC has a winner on their hands despite being a departure from their normal style.
Beautiful watch but open face watches are to hard for my old eyes to read..Congrats Im sure it is a terrific addition to your collection...
Thanks. The month and days are a bit small, even for me, but the hands feel like they're almost lit up, they really stand out
Wow that's a beautiful pick up! VC has been on my mind for sometime now. Personally leaning towards their more dressy low key ones.. but I would never say no to this 😛
You sound like me! Can go wrong either way
Congrats! Welcome to the VC club!
Fantastic watch - looks great on your wrist.
Love my CDV and Overseas. Just waiting now for the 222...not holding my breath...my sales guy left VC so need to cultivate a new sales person to get me the 222.
I guess I qualify now as a VC collector under "Mr Wonderful"'s definition that you need three pieces from a maison to be considered a collector of that brand...
Now I want my fourth...
Wow, nice VC collection. I almost pulled the trigger on a platinum CdV but the resulting price was a bit over my maximum. I love the blueish tones on it.
Love the blue overseas on rose gold. They go so well together. I just don't think that I can pull off this or the 222! I love the 222 bracelet, the little Maltese cross on the case, super retro vibe.
I'm waiting for the retrograde date Overseas and the steel CdV.
Loving VC, this watch is awesome but the design is not for me. Still happy for you, enjoy it
Thanks man. At least we can appreciate watches even if not our person style.
I love bing open minded and allowing a watch to surprise you! Congrats
Thanks! Although I had a good idea that I liked it in pics but I loved it in real life! I'm not brave enough to surprise myself that much at this price point. It's a big purchase for me.
A buddy of mine was checking that watch out at the New York boutique a few weeks ago. Absolutely stunning watch!! I’m glad one went to a great home! Enjoy it in the best of health. Cheers!
A buddy of mine was checking that watch out at the New York boutique a few weeks ago. Absolutely stunning watch!! I’m glad one went to a great home! Enjoy it in the best of health. Cheers!
Tell him to get it if he can! Thanks - I can't take it off
It’s spectacular and I hate you! Kidding, congrats it’s a real beauty. I prefer Vacheron by a country mile to AP and even patek. Enjoy it
Hah! I felt the same when I was watching the Sotheby's auction last night and saw these absolutely stunning, complicated pieces (eg Journe's one of very few Ruthenium pieces, a few Chronometre a Resonance, a super rare Datograph, the first ever Biver - look that up...not my style but amazing watch) that I'll probably never own go up for 300-800k?!?
Same here. Don't own a PP nor an AP AA I haven't found something that I LOVE. VC, plenty. I'm sure I'll find a Patek I like, maybe one from AP as long as they focus on other things behind the RO.
Totally gorgeous piece!
That. Is. Damn. Beautiful. 😍
That. Is. Damn. Beautiful. 😍
Thanks. I still find myself staring at this every day I wear it...
Absolutely stunning watch. Congrats!!
And I think this applies to most if not all high-end watches: they actually look much better in real life than in pictures. The opposite also often the case...
Guess you'll spend a fairly ridiculous amount of time just glancing at your wrist and enjoying what see you see there for the foreseeable future 😎
Stunning watch. And " . . . they actually look much better in real life than in pictures." This can apply not only to high-end watches, but all watches.
Amazing watch - jealous