Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine Retrograde Day and Date in White Gold

Just like the rest of the competition, Vacheron Constantin is not shy of bringing updated versions of their well-known timepieces. The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine Retrograde Day and Date in White Gold is one of those.

Originally designed in rose gold and later presented as a new member of the Vacheron Constantin Collection Excellence Platine, the Patrimone Conterporaine Retrograde Day and Date was, as the name implies, delivered in a 42.5 case made of platinum. Both durable and massive, it is also really expensive, so, considering current status of the world economy, it was a wise decision to replace platinum with white gold.

That was, for what it’s worth, the only significant change to the watch.

The 2010 Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine Retrograde Day and Date in white gold still houses the 2460 R31 R7 manufacture automatic caliber stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva guaranteeing that the movement is both accurate and durable.

Storing enough energy to return retrograde month and date indicators’s hands from the extreme right to the starting position in just 1/10 of a second, the movement still offers 40 hour of power reserve, which is quite adequate, although you will still have to wind-up the watch on a daily basis.

What’s quite annoying about this version of the watch, is that VC for some reason decided to represent the date and month indicators’s hands in a darker shade of white gold (or is it titanium?), while the original watches had their hands either heat-blued (the platinum version) or black, ensuring acceptable contrast and providing the dial with more depth. Although it is not seen on the photos made for their press release, real life shots show that the hands clearly lack the need contrast. In fact, they make the watch look somewhat cheap. Sorry VC, I had to say that.

Photos: Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine Retrograde Day and Date in White Gold watch specification

Price range: N/A
Movement: 2460 R31 R7, automatic, 27 jewels, 28,800 vph, 5.40 mm high, 25.6 mm in diameter
Complications: Retrograde Date, retrograde month
Power reserve: 40 hours
Case material: White gold
Bezel material: White gold
Case shape: Round
Transparent case back: Yes, sapphire caseback
Case size: 42.5 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Silver opaline
Numerals: Arabic (days of month)
Hands: White gold
Strap: Leather
Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflection coated
Water resistance: 30 meters