Where does Vacheron Constantin sit in terms of Holy Trinity of watch brands and why?

[RolexFan007]

Been a Rolex fan for a while... never researched or self educated on other brands...

Looking at VC Overseas, its looks great...

Whats the background on VC, what makes them so special?

Thank you in advance for the education

[Pongster]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=694748

[Pongster]

If the trinity is about heritage and history, then VC sits at the top being the oldest.

[raclaims]

VC makes fabulous timepieces...any of the holy T will provide you with a top tier product.

[7sins]

VC makes incredible watches

[Nikrnic]

VC has a rich history of High Horology since 1755. I'm all in on the new 3rd gen Overseas. Every small detail makes the difference.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[wisguy]

Most people would say in the back seat.

Sport models I would agree, dress I think they are well ahead of AP.

[Vivalas]

I’ve had a VC for two months now and it’s by far the nicest watch I’ve ever owned. . . . . And I’ve owned some great watches. As well as most of the Rolex models I’ve also owned a PP 5711 blue and the VC is a better watch in my view. The brushed finishing on the 5711 is sublime I admit, but that’s as far as it goes, in all other aspects the VC wins for me.

VC has one problem - it doesn’t have the image of Patek, which in turn means it doesn’t sell over RRP. Patek (like Rolex) have nailed their image in terms of desirability that everyone wants what they can’t buy. Very very clever marketing.

Whilst I say this is VC’s problem, it’s also their great attraction. They don’t need all these famous people endorsing their watches to make them great, what they get is true watch lovers buying and wearing them. If anything they are understated and go under the radar, but if you know your watches and come across one, you’ll know immediately why they are in the holy trinity. One thing I’ve noticed with my overseas - no pictures do it justice. You try one on though and you’ll know immediately.

[RolexFan007]

Thats pretty cool actually, will try one out at our local boutique...

Originally Posted by Vivalas

I’ve had a VC for two months now and it’s by far the nicest watch I’ve ever owned. . . . . And I’ve owned some great watches. As well as most of the Rolex models I’ve also owned a PP 5711 blue and the VC is a better watch in my view. The brushed finishing on the 5711 is sublime I admit, but that’s as far as it goes, in all other aspects the VC wins for me.

VC has one problem - it doesn’t have the image of Patek, which in turn means it doesn’t sell over RRP. Patek (like Rolex) have nailed their image in terms of desirability that everyone wants what they can’t buy. Very very clever marketing.

Whilst I say this is VC’s problem, it’s also their great attraction. They don’t need all these famous people endorsing their watches to make them great, what they get is true watch lovers buying and wearing them. If anything they are understated and go under the radar, but if you know your watches and come across one, you’ll know immediately why they are in the holy trinity. One thing I’ve noticed with my overseas - no pictures do it justice. You try one on though and you’ll know immediately.

[RolexFan007]

Originally Posted by Pongster

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=694748

Thank you thats exactly what I was looking for...

[LOWERCASE GUY]

The bracelet design on the VC's are special. Have they got a patent on it does anyone know? Surprised it's not been ripped off.

[PhilLynott]

By far my favorite of the 3 personally.

[Pongster]

I have a personal bias for vacheron. One of my favorite law professors always used his vacheron in illustrating legal principles. Like for barter, he would say as an example trading his watch for a car. And he would remark for us not to think it’s an unfair trade as his watch was actually more valuable than the usual cars.

That image of his gold vacheron dress watch has stuck with me until now.

[LOWERCASE GUY]

Originally Posted by Pongster

I have a personal bias for vacheron. One of my favorite law professors always used his vacheron in illustrating legal principles. Like for barter, he would say as an example trading his watch for a car. And he would remark for us not to think it’s an unfair trade as his watch was actually more valuable than the usual cars.

That image of his gold vacheron dress watch has stuck with me until now.

I'd probably do the same thing if I have a VC too. Thinly vied brag imo

[Pongster]

Originally Posted by LOWERCASE GUY

I'd probably do the same thing if I have a VC too. Thinly vied brag imo

Yup. Humble brag. Before the term was even invented. This was in the late 90s.

And i couldnt even afford a watch then.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mongrelnomoad]

Some of their current ultra-high-end complications are pretty peerless, as is their finishing (see the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600 below). They're not just resting on their history.




I think many of the naysayers about VC being in the holy trinity take issue with the company not having a 'red hot instagram hit', and the ownership by Richemont. I don't have the slightest issue with either.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by RolexFan007

Whats the background on VC, what makes them so special?

They have a very different philosophy than the other two. AP makes industrial watches in the best way industrial watches can be made and markets them really well. Patek has the benefit of having been a very innovative company over long stretches of its existence, in very useful ways. They legitimately built up their image as the premier purveyor of properly made useful complications. In recent years, one may however argue that they have been riding the wave more than they have been pushing it. Vacheron on the other hand is more about heritage than it is about developing new advances in watchmaking. They are the quietest of the three brands and the closest to being a curator of traditional Swiss watchmaking, or Francoswiss watchmaking to be more precise. Even when they are eventually innovative, they are so in very traditional ways (such as with the recent dual frequency perpetual) and they typically don’t communicate it very much.

To put it in simple terms, under CHF 100k, the same money will typically buy you:

- a slightly more complicated Patek, with very adequate movement finish and good value retention if you buy right;
- a slightly more on trend AP, with lesser, more industrial movement finish but often great value retention as everything is Royal Oak... or almost; or
- a slightly simpler VC with an incrementally finer and more traditional finish and often terrible value retention for the almost entire lack of hype.

[LOWERCASE GUY]

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

Some of their current ultra-high-end complications are pretty peerless, as is their finishing (see the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600 below). They're not just resting on their history.




I think many of the naysayers about VC being in the holy trinity take issue with the company not having a 'red hot instagram hit', and the ownership by Richemont. I don't have the slightest issue with either.

Dang, that is some piece.

[daveo5]

For the deep pocket collector. Not to be worn or purchased for a “wrist shot”.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Pw92676]

I don’t own a VC. Would love to one day. I have handled several Overseas in person and been very impressed.

In my opinion, the whole concept of having a trinity doesn’t make sense so I’ll defer my comments on that specifically but will say that as a brand VC has my utmost respect for its remarkable collection.

[RolexFan007]

Originally Posted by LOWERCASE GUY

Dang, that is some piece.

Wow is that white gold or platinum

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by RolexFan007

Wow is that white gold or platinum

White gold. That’s the thing about VC, though, they’re the only grande maison that still have a department that will make you anything your heart desires. This mechanical miracle was a one-off commission (for much less than an auction Paul Newman)...

[capote]

Originally Posted by LOWERCASE GUY

The bracelet design on the VC's are special. Have they got a patent on it does anyone know? Surprised it's not been ripped off.

You mean the quick change system on the 3rd gen OS? If so it’s a Cartier patent I believe.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by capote

You mean the quick change system on the 3rd gen OS? If so it’s a Cartier patent I believe.

It is not, the Santos system is pretty great too though, but unlike the VCO relies on the watch‘s lugs.

[beshannon]

I have looked at the Overseas many times and most recently the 56

I would like to add a Vacheron to my collection someday, they are a special brand in the world of horology.



https://www.ablogtowatch.com/vachero...ix-collection/

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Pongster

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=694748