Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Collection Excellence Platine

Quick specs Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Collection Excellence Platine
Price: € 40.100 | $ 47,400 | £ 36,450
Size: 42 mm
Reference: 1110U/000P-B306 – limited to 150 pieces

A pure, minimalistic, subtle and classic dress watch. That is the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Collection Excellence Platine. It’s also sober and even a bit boring perhaps. How many watches like this are there on the market? And what about the price tag? Is this a typical example of old-school watchmaking nobody under 40 will buy?

Not really. And a little. This type of watch is far from original, but hey, aren’t they all? The 42-millimeter case (perfect modern size) is from 950 platinum, which is the highest available quality: 95% is of the material is platinum. Now you know why VC is calling the watch Excellence Platine. Platinum (Pt) is four times stronger than gold and with jewelry it is always a mixture of pure platinum with some alloy metals. It has dark silver looks which explains the name: is comes from platina, Spanish for ‘little silver’.

The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Collection Excellence Platine is limited to 150 pieces

Not only the case of the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Collection Excellence Platine is from platinum. The dial is platinum too, sand-blasted and enriched with pearls for the minute track. The hands and hour markers are 18K white gold. And even more platinum is used for the leather strap. It is hand-stitched with silk tread with platinum thread (really) and VC’s signature half Maltese cross-shaped buckle is from platinum too.

Now, you would expect some platinum in the movement as well, but the caliber 4400 AS hasn’t any. Still it is a great looking, thin movement with an excellent power reserve of 65 hours.

This Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Collection Excellence Platine breaths quality and style. The question is: is that worth somewhere between 36 and 47k? Well, take a look at other watches in that price range. Jaeger-LeCoultre, A. Lange, Breguet, Glashütte, Patek, Chopard, Arnold & Son, Rolex, Blancpain, IWC: all the big names are represented. It is up to you.