Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle 38 mm in White Gold

Presented to the public at the SIHH 2010 event, the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle 38 mm watch is a white gold version of the model presented last year.

Like the original model, the refreshed iteration is still powered by the Calibre 4400 hand-wound movement. Classical in its style and design, the movement is easily serviceable and, featuring one large mainspring barrel instead of a pair, is more reliable. The movement is well finished, too, with its perfect Geneva stripes, sun-burst pattern on the barrel and beautiful perlage.

The watch’s dial features faceted hour markers giving the dial a third dimension and clearly stating that this is not some cheap stuff from the “below $3000″ category of Swiss watches. The dauphine hands are slightly frosted, which makes them look even more, well, noble.

The sub-dial for the small second hand, which is located at 6 o’clock, is a down-sized version of the main dial. It also somehow balances the Maltese Cross and the oversized (well, at least, to my taste) “Vacheron Constantin / Geneve” marks at 12 o’clock.

It is really a good thing that the watch doesn’t have a date window, since it would simply ruin this peaceful, zen-inspired design.

Photos: Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle 38 mm watch specification

Price range: N/A, around €10,000
Movement: Calibre 4400, hand-wound, 21 jewels, 28,800 vph, 2.80 mm high, 28.5 mm in diameter
Complications: N/A
Power reserve: 60 hours
Case material: White gold
Bezel material: White gold
Case shape: Round
Transparent case back: Yes, sapphire caseback
Case size: 38.0 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Silver opaline
Numerals: None
Hands: White gold
Strap: Black hand-stitched, saddle-finish square-shape scales alligator leather with 18-carat white gold buckle polished half Maltese Cross
Crystal: Sapphire, AR-coated
Water resistance: 30 meters