greg_r 79 Posted November 30, 2008 I regularly get PMs from folks on all of the boards asking me what the watch is in my Avatar (edit: or at least the avatar I used to use - I've moved on a bit since then). It's a gen Vacheron Constantin Perpetual Retrograde Calendar - possibly the most beautiful watch VC make - and it costs silly money. Complications fascinate me, though, so when I returned to collecting reps after a break of several years, VC was the first manufacturer I started looking for. I was delighted to see that there was indeed a rep of my favourite watches - not only that, it was inexpensive at $145 inc shipping from Josh. I ordered it within a day of signing up at the old RWG1. A week later, it showed up. Powered by a 21J and with a size of 39.5mm, the watch manages to capture the appearance of the gen fairly well, but there are some obvious flaws. Firstly, the subdials are incorrectly spaced. Secondly, there is a tiny date window @ 3 on the gen, which hasn't made it onto the rep. Thirdly, the rep has a pusher button sticking out @ 10, which should be flush. As far as the complications are concerned, the retrograde date hand works just as it should - the hand advances each day and returns to the beginning at the end of each month. In addition, the day subdial advances correctly at midnight. The month and year indicators, however, need to be set manually - in addition, unlike the gen, the year indicator only has two sections, not four - this means that it will cease to be accurate in 2014.... The 'guilloche' dial is white on my sample (black is also available) and is both attractive and crisply printed. The back of the watch is covered by a SS flip cover, which opens to reveal the movement, protected by a mineral crystal display back. The movement is nicely finished, but looks nothing like the gen. The watch came on a black leather strap, which is okay, but nothing special. My history with this watch has been a little eventful. The first sample was perfect - unfortunately, I had an accident within days of receiving it and it got damaged beyond repair. I immediately ordered a replacement, but that suffered from a problem with the complications. It was returned to Josh and two months later I received my current example which is working well. Due to the nature of this watch, it's going to be a little fragile. One needs to take care that the watch is set to something between 6am and 6pm before manually adjusting the date/day, and you should NEVER wind it backwards past midnight as this is likely to break the retrograding date function. Treated with respect, however, it should be relatively trouble free. It's a beautiful watch, although I don't wear it often as it's a little small for my tastes. Still, it's one of the classiest cheapies available IMHO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oscarmadfish 0 Posted November 30, 2008 well as you know i have one and love it thanks greg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 79 Posted November 30, 2008 well as you know i have one and love itthanks greg I figured that RWG wasn't RWG unless I persuaded someone to buy a VC, so feel free to direct any VC-lacking newbs this way Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iabounty 8 Posted March 8, 2009 Hobnail dial and spring back calander on the rep. I assume? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alphakazi 0 Posted March 8, 2009 this one is great - I still can't believe it's so cheap with that many working complications! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FBV 0 Posted March 8, 2009 have to agree that this VC is a great watch for the $$$ ... i just love the dial layout and complications Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 79 Posted March 8, 2009 Hobnail dial and spring back calander on the rep. I assume? Yep. Actually there's an updated version with a flush pusher @10 (which is as it should be). Kinda tempted to upgrade.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 79 Posted March 8, 2009 Got a link Greg? No - surprisingly. I thought it would have appeared by now.. Josh was listing it as 'coming soon' a short while ago, but the new version hasn't showed up in his main catalog yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldr 0 Posted April 8, 2013 I regularly get PMs from folks on all of the boards asking me what the watch is in my Avatar (edit: or at least the avatar I used to use - I've moved on a bit since then). It's a gen Vacheron Constantin Perpetual Retrograde Calendar - possibly the most beautiful watch VC make - and it costs silly money. Complications fascinate me, though, so when I returned to collecting reps after a break of several years, VC was the first manufacturer I started looking for. I was delighted to see that there was indeed a rep of my favourite watches - not only that, it was inexpensive at $145 inc shipping from Josh. I ordered it within a day of signing up at the old RWG1. A week later, it showed up. Powered by a 21J and with a size of 39.5mm, the watch manages to capture the appearance of the gen fairly well, but there are some obvious flaws. Firstly, the subdials are incorrectly spaced. Secondly, there is a tiny date window @ 3 on the gen, which hasn't made it onto the rep. Thirdly, the rep has a pusher button sticking out @ 10, which should be flush. As far as the complications are concerned, the retrograde date hand works just as it should - the hand advances each day and returns to the beginning at the end of each month. In addition, the day subdial advances correctly at midnight. The month and year indicators, however, need to be set manually - in addition, unlike the gen, the year indicator only has two sections, not four - this means that it will cease to be accurate in 2014.... The 'guilloche' dial is white on my sample (black is also available) and is both attractive and crisply printed. The back of the watch is covered by a SS flip cover, which opens to reveal the movement, protected by a mineral crystal display back. The movement is nicely finished, but looks nothing like the gen. The watch came on a black leather strap, which is okay, but nothing special. My history with this watch has been a little eventful. The first sample was perfect - unfortunately, I had an accident within days of receiving it and it got damaged beyond repair. I immediately ordered a replacement, but that suffered from a problem with the complications. It was returned to Josh and two months later I received my current example which is working well. Due to the nature of this watch, it's going to be a little fragile. One needs to take care that the watch is set to something between 6am and 6pm before manually adjusting the date/day, and you should NEVER wind it backwards past midnight as this is likely to break the retrograding date function. Treated with respect, however, it should be relatively trouble free. It's a beautiful watch, although I don't wear it often as it's a little small for my tastes. Still, it's one of the classiest cheapies available IMHO. Patek Philippe and Vacheron deliver very classy, elegant watches. The Retrogade calander is indeed a great piece of horology and both brands simply deliver the ultimate knock off watches. I'm glad there are some awesome reps out there Can't wait to get my hands on the 2 I ordered today. Both perpetual calendars. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingle 57 Posted April 8, 2013 awesome 4-1/2 year old necro post Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Y30BAD 0 Posted April 8, 2013 I can't see the pics... Is this one I need to be buying? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffw69 0 Posted April 8, 2013 awesome 4-1/2 year old necro post Yep, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldr 0 Posted April 8, 2013 I can't see the pics... Is this one I need to be buying? Look it up at google. Vacheron Retrogade Calendar and if you're doing that look at the annual and perpetual calendars too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Y30BAD 0 Posted April 8, 2013 On no.. Might need a second job.. So many watches, so little time! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites