The Multifort Patrimony Chronograph... In Blue

From Mido -

Courtesy of Mido

The case is of stainless steel (with rose gold pvd treatment) and measures 42 mm in diameter.

Courtesy of Mido

The movement is the self-winding/automatic Caliber 60 which is based on the ETA A05.H31, featuring two and a half days of power reserve.  Just enough for the weekend if this is your "going to town" watch (i.e. Monday - Friday).

Courtesy of Mido

This one definitely appeals to me. As my odometer is approaching 53, and I am firmly ensconced in the world of non-profit administration, I feel confident (barring a Lotto windfall) that I will never be walking into a boutique and placing my platinum card on the counter to purchase a solid gold chronograph, so this is within the realm of realistic possibility for yours truly. 

Courtesy of Mido

And the price?  

CHF 1,990 is the ask.

Patrimony Collection Excellence Platine

From Vacheron Constantin -

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

A 42 mm platinum case houses the manual winding 4400 AS movement.

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

Here are the pertinents -

Patrimony Collection Excellence Platine 

References:

1110U/000P-B306
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepieces 

Calibre:

4400 AS
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin 
Mechanical, manual-winding
28.6 mm (12’’’1⁄2) diameter, 2.8 mm thick 
Approximately 65 hours of power reserve
4Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
127 components
21 jewels

Indications:

Hours, minutes
Small seconds at 6 o’clock 

Case:

950 Platinum
42 mm diameter, 7.65 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback 
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar 
(approx. 30 meters) 

Dial 

950 Platinum
Sand-blasted
“Pt950” hallmark between 4 and 5 o’clock
Convex external zone with circular “pearl” minute-track 
18K white gold applied hour-markers 

Strap:

Dark blue Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator 
leather inner shell, hand-stitched with platinum 950 and silk, 
saddle-finish, large square scales 

Buckle:

Platinum 950 buckle
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped 

Limited edition of 150 individually numbered pieces 
“N°X/150” engraved on caseback

 

A Return to Common Sense

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

This is the new Patrimony, referred to by Vacheron Constantin as the Patrimony small model.  And I can only speak for myself, but I think that this might be the first sign from one of the big dogs that they get, understand, and are adapting to the realities of the situation they are in.

The case is of pink gold and measures a sane, rational and practical 36 mm in diameter and 8.1 mm thick.  

The dial is silvered opaline and the indices are also of pink gold.

The movement is Caliber 2450 Q6.  It is self-winding and offers 40 hours of power reserve.   Hours, minutes, seconds and date at 6 o'clock.

You want this watch - and you should!  36 mm is a realistic diameter for a dress watch.  It is suitable for both men and women, and frankly?  You don't need tons SKUs, you just need one or two god ones!

Well done Vacheron - let's hope this is a sign of more sane things to come.

Here are the pertinents -

Patrimony small model

References
4100U/000R-B180: brown leather strap 4100U/001R-B180: purple shiny leather strap Hallmark of Geneva certified timepieces

Caliber
2450 Q6
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin 

Mechanical, self-winding
26.2 mm (11’’’1⁄4) diameter, 3.6 mm thick 

Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
196 components
27 jewels

Indications
Hours, minutes Central seconds 

Date 

 

Case

18K 5N pink gold
36 mm diameter, 8.1 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 
meters) 

Dial

Silvered opaline
Convex external zone with circular “pearl” minute-track 
18K 5N pink gold applied hour-markers 

Strap

Dark brown Mississippiensis alligator leather with 
alligator leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, 
large square scales
Purple Mississippiensis alligator shiny leather with alsavel 
inner shell, stitched-tip, square scales

Buckle

18K 5N pink gold buckle
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped

 

 

But I'd Rather Light a Candle than Curse their Darkness

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

All management goofiness aside, Vacheron Constantin makes a very beautiful watch.  And if I had the means, I'd set my sights on this little bijoux.

Because despite my unwillingness to chug the Kool Aid, I do still love watches ; )

Patrimony - a Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever

We all dream of something - and this one is mine.

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

Simple, beautiful, perfect.

It reminds me of a friend I made in Lucerne -

The Patrimony from Vacheron Constantin is one of those watches that transcends trends and fads.  

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

This is what a watch is supposed to be.  Hours, minutes, seconds and date.   

Someday Henki, someday...

Vacheron... Vacheron!

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin