Hands-on with the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Small Seconds

Recently we had the chance to get up close and personal with the new Patrimony Traditionnelle Small Seconds in platinum, that Vacheron Constantin introduced earlier this year at the SIHH. This new model has all the looks and attributes of a classic dress watch, and it’s one of the most attractive classic dress watches that we have seen in a long time. 

Part of its great looks, is that it is not the standard classic dress watch and sets itself a bit apart from other dress watches in pink/yellow gold with a silver/white dial. The grey dial with the slightly recessed small seconds sub dial that is encircled by a rail track seconds index. looks a tad more sporty than a standard dress watch’s dial. And that perfectly matches with the platinum case, that measures 38 mm in diameter and 7.77 mm in height. Not too small, not too big… Vacheron Constantin got it just right. 

Its pink gold and white gold siblings – click here – have a more classic dress watch style. Of course a watch with these modest dimensions wears very comfortable. It comes on a black alligator strap that is closed by a ardillon buckle – these normal buckles go by many names – in platinum. By the way, for the opening of the Vacheron boutique in Paris they launched a limited edition of 75 pieces in pink gold, that features an extraordinary dial (click here).

Turn the watch over and you get to admire the beautiful in-house movement, caliber 4400 AS that you can also find in the VC Historique American 1921 and the special edition American 1921 for the Vacheron boutique in New York. This movement is even used in the pink gold pocket watch that Vacheron Constantin introduced earlier this year (click here).

The movement is rather flat, measuring just 2.80 mm in height, and with 28.60 mm it has a relatively large diameter. The winding is manual and a large main spring barrel stores the energy for its 65 hours of power reserve. Although its dimensions and bridge design might look like it’s an old pocket watch movement, caliber 4400 AS beats with a modern 28,800 vibrations per hour.

If you look closely, you’ll notice the Hallmark of Geneva besides the ratchet wheel. That means it is is build and finished according to the standards of the Hallmark of Geneva. As we told you just a few days ago (click here), any movement that is stamped with this prestigious hallmark costs between 30% and 40% extra work and the finishing is simply superb!

For more information, please visit the Vacheron Constantin website or their own forum called The Hour Lounge.