Watch of the Week: Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date

There is no denying that there is a natural appeal to the combination of a deep blue dial with a pink gold case. This color combination is now also an option for the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date, a classic dress watch with the added functionality of two retrograde complications.

A date function can easily destroy even the most carefully designed dress watch, add a day indication and usually, this only adds insult to injury. However, this is not the case with the Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date. Vacheron Constantin added two retrograde hands showing either the day or the date, which are placed in two semi-circles.

Displaying them like this has multiple advantages; First and foremost is that there are no openings in the dial. Secondly, instead of taking away from the design, both indicators now add a certain dynamic to it. Vacheron Constantin amplified this also as the hands for the day and the date are an open arrow and differ significantly from the slender sword hands. An added appeal is also that both hands have a retrograde function, which is more difficult to make and also better appreciated by most watch connoisseurs.

Vacheron Constantin has given itself quite some horological real estate to work with as the diameter of Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date is 42.5 mm. Most will appreciate this, as it makes the watch contemporary sized, with as an added benefit that this also provides ample space on the dial for the day and date display. This greatly increases the readability fo these functions, and for the day indication it even means that they can write out the names of the days in full, with the exception of Thursday, which is positioned right under the center of the dial where the hour, minute and date hand connect to the movement.

At the back of the Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date, we find a transparent caseback behind which we can admire caliber 2460 R31R7/2. This movement features a gold oscillating weight under which we find carefully decorated bridges and other parts, and this Vacheron Constantin is also awarded the ‘Geneva Seal.’ The downside for some might be that the diameter of this movement is only 27.20 mm, which makes a bit small in relation to the overall case size. The clever design of the caseback highlights, however, the refined layout of this caliber, and also brings balance to this part of the watch. All combined does it add to making this Vacheron Constantin the exceptional watch that it is, a dress watch in which form and function find synergy, and in which the readability of the day and the date add something instead of taking away from the beauty of this Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date.