Vacheron Constantin is updating its Patrimony with the introduction of a new 39 mm case for its manual-winding model, alongside a new dial and strap colours. The Patrimony moon phase retrograde date is also enjoying a new look. The collection’s subtle yet effective facelift comes as the minimalist line celebrates its 20th year in the watch manufacture’s portfolio.
Even prior to these novelties being introduced, the case sizes for the Patrimony were already remarkably diverse. The collection already offered 36 mm, 36.5 mm, 37 mm, 40 mm, 41 mm, 42 mm and 42.5 mm models. Now, a 39 mm manual-winding Patrimony edition bridges the final gap. This size should perfectly cater to those with medium-sized wrists, as well as those looking for a more unisex option. The new manual-winding Patrimony editions, available in white or rose gold, have a slim case height of 7.7 mm. Thanks to their closed caseback, the owner can opt to engrave the watch with a personal message.
Meanwhile, the new Patrimony moon phase retrograde date model comes in a 42.5 mm white-gold case with a height of 9.7 mm. Unlike the manual-winding hour and minute Patrimony models, this edition features an open caseback, allowing for a view of the movement. All of the new Patrimony models offer water resistance to 30 m.
With the new 39 mm Patrimony case comes a new dial, which Vacheron are christening as ‘antique silver-toned’. Staying true to the collection’s elegant, minimalist look, the watch’s signature convex dial features slim hands, hour markers, and a circular ‘pearl’ minutes track consisting of 48 polished 18-carat gold ‘pearls’.
The new Vacheron Constantin Patrimony moon phase retrograde date also opts for a timeless aesthetic. Likewise featuring a new dial colour, the sunburst ‘old silver-toned’ dial remains understated while contrasting nicely with the pink-gold hands and hour markers for a two-tone aesthetic. While the retrograde date curves across the top half of the dial, Vacheron Constantin quietly integrate the moonphase in a central position at 6 o’clock.
This brings us to the movements. The manual-winding Patrimony models offer only hours and minutes, and Vacheron thus opt for the trusty in-house calibre 1440. Despite the closed caseback, this is a highly decorated movement, earning it the coveted Geneva Seal. In addition, the movement has a solid 42-hour power reserve and beats at a frequency of 4 Hz. Also worth a mention is its slim height of a mere 2.6 mm, enabling the watch’s case height of 7.7 mm.
The really interesting movement, of course, is the one powering the Patrimony moon phase retrograde date. The in-house calibre 2460 R31L integrates a moonphase indication, which corresponds to the moon’s cycle of 29 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes. It requires just one correction every 122 years. The second innovation in this movement is the retrograde date display, which, as is emblematic of the maison, curves across the top of the dial. This movement is also commendably slim given its functions, with a height of only 5.4 mm. The calibre 2460 R31L has a 40-hour power reserve and beats at a frequency of 4 Hz.
This movement also earns the Geneva Seal thanks to the high level of finishing, which is visible via the sapphire crystal caseback. The highlight, however, is the Maltese cross open-worked oscillating weight, which glows in 18-carat gold. This complicated movement is something we are familiar with already, not least because it made an appearance in the Overseas collection for the first time just last year.
Last but not least, we have the handsome new strap options, which transform the face of each watch. The two manual-winding Patrimony models are available with either a new azure blue or particularly attractive olive-green Mississippiensis alligator strap. The straps feature with a calf-leather inner lining, tone-on-tone stitching, and square scales. They secure to the wrist using a pin buckle in white or pink gold, matching to the respective case material. The Patrimony moon phase retrograde date comes with the same eye-catching olive-green leather strap.
