Introducing the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Collection Excellence Platine

In the past years Vacheron Constantin has been harmonizing their collections, yet within the new line-up they kept some room for one very special collection, comprising only platinum watches. This is the Collection Platine Excellence and the newest piece within that collection is the Patrimony Collection Platine Excellence. Like the other models in the Collection Platine Excellence, it features the distinctive sand-blasted platinum dial that adds an ‘understated cool’ to it.

The Patrimony that we’re looking at today isn’t exactly new, as it already exists in the Patrimony collection, albeit in 18k pink or white gold (with creme/eggshell or slate grey dial). Like most of its siblings in this collection, its name is just “Patrimony” plus a reference number, so it doesn’t carry a “Small Seconds” binomial as in the past. It’s just “Patrimony” and although this one has a small second sub dial, there are also models with the same name that comes with a central second hand. However it now comes in a platinum case, with a sand-blasted platinum dial, and with a secret “Pt950” signature between 4 and 5 o’clock. 

The details which set the Patrimony collection apart from ‘that other classic line’ from Vacheron Constantin, the Traditionelle collection, is the shape of the case, the hour markers, minute indices, hands, and even the size of some models. Whereas the Traditionelle with the exact same movement as the Patrimony Collection Excellence Platine that we’re looking at today, calibre 4400AS, measures 38mm in diameter, the Patrimony measures 42mm in diameter. In style and design, the Patrimony is sleeker, more refined, elegant. However in diameter it’s bigger, while in thickness there’s not much difference; the Traditionelle measures 7.77mm and the Patrimony only 7.65mm in height.

The Patrimony models are a pure and contemporary reinterpretation of a classic from the Vacheron Constantin heritage, stemming from the 1950s. The minimalistic style complements its perfectly balanced lines: the dial, applied hour-markers and hands all follow the gentle curve of the case, and the “pearl” minute-track is just so subtle and beautiful.

11 Years ago, in 2006, Vacheron Constantin started with the Collection Excellence Platine. Always in a platinum case, the sand-blasted platinum dial, the white gold baton hands, and the stitching in the dark blue alligator strap is silk and platinum thread! Several years ago Vacheron also introduced the Traditionelle Day-Date and Power Reserve in the ‘Collection Excellence Platine‘ so it’s not exclusive to the Patrimony collection, and actually makes a collection of their finest models that become available in an all platinum execution. Like its Collection Excellence Platine siblings, it’s a limited edition, and this Patrimony is limited to 150 numbered pieces.

As already mentioned, inside ticks the Vacheron Constantin in-house movement, calibre 4400AS. This movement is the brand’s main ‘manually wound with small seconds’ movement. It is used in more watches from this Geneva based brand, like for instance the iconic Historique American 1921 and the elegant Traditionelle Small Seconds.  It’s maybe not “ultra-thin”, however measuring only 2.8mm thick I would certainly call this a very thin movement. The finishing is of course top notch, as is the finishing of… everything. The watch comes with the Geneva Hallmark and since a few years this quality label for Geneva-based brands judges the entire watch and not just the finished movement (more info here.)

More info at the Vacheron Constantin website here.

Technical Specifications – Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Collection Excellence Platine

• Case: 42mm diameter x 7.65 mm thick – 950 platinum – sapphire crystal on both sides – 30m water resistant
• Movement: Calibre 4400 AS – Vacheron Constantin in-house movement – Geneva Hallmark – hand-wound – 4Hz / 28,800vph – 127 components – 21 jewels – 65h power reserve – hours, minutes, small seconds
• Strap: hand-stitched blue alligator leather strap with alligator leather inner shell – silk and 950 platinum stitching – 950 platinum polished half Maltese cross-shaped buckle
• Quality seal: Geneva Hallmark
• Limitation: 150 individually numbered pieces “N°X/150” engraved on caseback
• Price: € 40.100 EUR (incl. 21% VAT)