While 'desk divers' frequently do double duty as 'work watches' for those of us wear suits to the office, there's something about the clean honest lines and understated elegance of a 'dress' watch that can add an extra little bit of credibility to whatever cause you are championing.
The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine is everything that a perfect dress watch should be. Its design is both classic and timeless. At only 6.7 mm thick, its white gold case slides comfortably beneath the snuggest of cuffs and lies perfectly flat on the wrist. Its dial is not adorned with anything superfluous and is an aged ivory color that darkens a bit as it nears the minute track giving it substantial depth. The 40mm diameter of the Contemporaine makes it feel substantial on even larger wrists. Inside is the Vacheron Constantin Caliber 1400 VC manually wound movement - a stunningly engineered sliver that's adorned with the Seal of Geneva. The Patrimony Contemporaine is fitted with a hand-sewn crocodile strap that is exceptionally well executed.
I can't say that I wear my Contemporaine often.... I usually go for something a little bit more dramatic.... but when I absolutely have to wear a dress watch - this slim and perfect VC answers the call perfectly!
List price is $13,300 US.
