Buying Guide – 5 of the Most Iconic Luxury Sports Watches You Can Buy in 2018 (and one accessible alternative)

In the same vein as we already did with chronographs and dive watches, it’s time now to look at what probably is the current hottest watch category: the luxury sports watch. Born in the 1970s as a true disruptive concept, deliberately provocative back then – remember those ads claiming “a steel watch more expensive than gold” – and a category that today creates the buzz on the second-hand market… As those buying guides only take the best from the best, here are the 5 most iconic luxury sports watches you can buy in 2018 – or at least, dream to buy, as some are close to being unreachable.

7 years ago

Buying Guide – Our Top 10 Moon Phase Watches for Women

The Moon phase function is the simplest and most prevalent astronomical complication. It is also one of the most attractive and bewitching of complications, a reminder of the beauty and mystery of our neighbouring satellite. Considered more of an aesthetic choice than a complication of intrinsic utility, moon phase watches have become a perennial favourite with their miniature recreations of the different phases of the Moon displayed in an aperture on the dial. So, take a look at our A-V Top Ten moon phase models and get ready to be moonstruck by their beauty – both superficial and mechanical – and in some cases, by their astronomical prices!

7 years ago

Introducing – The new Vacheron Constantin FIFTYSIX Tourbillon Automatic

At the SIHH 2018, Vacheron Constantin came with one brand new and important collection for the brand, the FIFTYSIX. With a clear intention to renew the clientele and to bring younger and less hardcore-oriented potential customers, this watch mixed vintage elements with a modern, masculine and slightly casual design. Presented in 3 different version (automatic, day-date, complete calendar), each of them available in steel or gold, it’s time now for the FIFTYSIX to up the game and to receive true Vacheron Constantin savoir-faire. This has just been done with the addition of a high-end, automatic peripheral tourbillon movement.

7 years ago

Video – The Vacheron Constantin Overseas – Part 2, The Creation of the Current Collection

Yesterday we took a close look at the history behind the modern icon that is the Overseas, today it’s time to understand everything behind the creation of the current, third-generation Vacheron Constantin Overseas. Launched in 2016, it was more an evolution than a revolution characterised by luxurious finishes, a simplified yet strong design, a sporty attitude, superbly decorated movements and several cool new features making the Overseas 3 the worthy heir of the 222. In this second instalment, we will talk with Christian Selmoni, the brand’s heritage and style director, about the Vacheron Constantin Overseas third-generation and what makes a desirable luxury sports watch.

7 years ago

Video – The Vacheron Constantin Overseas – Part 1, the Origins, the 222 and the Evolution of an Icon

In 1977, Vacheron Constantin, the oldest watch manufacturer in continuous operation, celebrated its 222nd anniversary. For this reason, the brand decided to create a special watch, right in the middle of what was named “the quartz crisis”. Swiss brands needed to reinvent themselves, making necessary disruptive changes. This is when the Vacheron Constantin 222, a true luxury sports watch, was born – a watch that would later become an icon under the name Overseas. In our latest series of videos, we will talk with Christian Selmoni, the brand’s heritage and style director, about the Vacheron Constantin Overseas. Today, in the first part, we focus on the origins, which includes the 222 and the first generations of Overseas.

7 years ago

Opinion – A Closer Look at the Vacheron Constantin FiftySix Complete Calendar

When Vacheron Constantin announced right before the SIHH 2018 the introduction of a new collection, the FiftySix, we had been (in all honesty) rather sceptical. I can recall discussions with Frank about the design, the way the brand communicated around the model, the “entry-level” approach or the millennial target. Never judge on first impressions, they say… Thus, we decided to give this Vacheron Constantin FiftySix a second chance, but this time by wearing it. And for that, we chose the most complex (and most appealing) version, the Complete Calendar.

7 years ago

Review – Vacheron Constantin Historiques Triple Calendar 1948

There is no question Vacheron Constantin makes exceptionally fine timepieces. The brand really comes into its element though when it focuses its attention on vintage-inspired models (in my humble opinion at least). These models invariably belong to the Historiques collection, which celebrates some of the brand’s significant models from the past by offering a fresh take. My previous favourite was the 1955 Cornes de Vache Chronograph launched in 2015 but that model was recently usurped by the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Triple Calendar 1948 I am reviewing here today – which is the luxurious and moonphase-equipped sister of the steel Historiques Triple Calendar 1942 reviewed here.

7 years ago

Introducing – The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic & Chronograph Get Black Dials

When introduced back in 2016, the re-designed Overseas was Vacheron Constantin’s answer for the highly coveted market of the luxury sports watch (a market dominated by AP and PP). First launched in blue and silver editions, later followed by warm and original brown versions, there was still one missing colour to make the collection complete. Problem solved for 2018, with the introduction of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic 4500V and Chronograph 5500V, now with black dials (and even a reversed-panda for the Chrono).

8 years ago

Introducing – Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Self-Winding 36mm – The Ultimate Unisex Watch?

Vacheron Constantin introduces its third iteration of the Patrimony Self-Winding 36mm, this time in white gold with an automatic movement. Designed to swing it both ways, the new model will certainly be well received by women who appreciate a mechanical movement and who prefer the timeless elegance of a classic, round case, and a simple, refined dial. Unlike so many women’s watches that lure us with their sparkling gem-set surfaces and sugary motifs, Vacheron’s Patrimony 36mm proposes a timepiece that might seem Calvinist in appearance, but which is full of appealing details that will win converts from all denominations. But first a quick word on unisex watches.

8 years ago