The reputation of the Vacheron Constantin brand is truly impeccable. And for that, there is a good reason. The reason lies in the high-end materials the brand uses, the elegant and twisted concepts it applies, as well as in the phenomenal execution with special attention to detail. What else could a brand whose experience exceeded more than 260 years offer?!
Besides the multitude of horological inventions, Vacheron Constantin is also the creator of “tonneau” cases, which the public knows as barrel-shaped timepieces. However the name might sound, this case style comes with a special charm that traditional round or rectangular watches lack. Tonneau watches have a certain maturity in them. It’s unlikely to see the young audience wearing such a watch. As a rule, Vacheron Constantin designs them elegantly and sophisticatedly, so that they emphasize the slightly aristocratic status of a man in all his nature.
Actually…
The specific form of barrel-shaped watches draws its inspiration from the Art Deco style, matter-of-factly. These watches reflect a strong traditional charisma, but at the same time, they are far from the traditional rectangular concepts like the Reverso, or round like the Calatrava.
Few brands can execute tonneau watches the way that Constantin Vacheron does. This brand has dedicated an entire collection to this specific and amazingly attractive shape. It’s about the Malte collection, which I love. However, I am not yet ready to wear such a watch yet. They are way too mature for me. But I know for sure that Malte watches will dominate my watch collection in a few years.
The truth is that…
If I had to choose from some Malte models, I would stop at 2 of them. It is about the Malte Tourbillon Openworked in pink gold and the Malte Moon Phase and Power Reserve models. Because I will never be able to afford an authentic watch, I have to limit myself to replica models. Respectively, I will talk about these 2 models in this article hoping that you will help me decide.
I will decipher all the technical and aesthetic details of these 2 knockoffs and based on them, I would like to ask you to comment on which one you think is better. Depending on your vote, I will get my first Vacheron watch in a few years, when I will be more mature. As I said before, Vacheron watches require a certain maturation to be fully enjoyed.
Vacheron Constantin Malte Moon Phase and Power Reserve Replica Watch
I will start with the newest model of the 2. The Moon Phase and Power Reserve watch appeared in the Vacheron collection a few years ago. It captivated the audience immediately with its fine and elegant body. It took the replica manufacturers several years to reproduce this model. Even though they have produced Moon Phase watches before, executing a Vacheron Constantin is always a challenge.
The replica watch has a 904l stainless steel case and bracelet. But the manufacturers covered it with a layer of yellow gold, in order to reproduce the authentic model. The dimensions of the replica watches are very unusual: we are talking here about a length of 48.10mm. The width measures 36.10 mm and the height is 10.50 mm. Due to the prolonged silhouette, the case looks very elegant and subtle.
By the way…
The manufacturers reproduced the dimensions of the watch almost perfectly. All measurements coincide with the authentic model, except for the height, which is 10.49mm versus 10.50mm of the replica watch. In the end, I don’t see that this difference is a critical one.
For me, the case of this replica watch remains the main selling point. The execution of the relief, texture, and finish is truly astonishing. Putting it on the wrist, it arranges extremely comfortably, generating a sensation of pleasure, I dare say. The idea is that the back of the case is flat. At the same time, the lugs and case bands have a slight curvature that imitates the shape of the wrist. Consequently, the watch seems to “lie down” on the wrist, hugging it in comfort and ergonomics.
For sure, the case might seem unusually long. And let it be. Its length confers a slenderness unseen in other watches. I don’t expect this replica watch to be to everyone’s liking. The skill of Constantin Vacheron is understood only by a narrow niche, but an extremely educated one in terms of horology.
Aesthetic details
Another “tasty” detail besides the silhouette of the replica watch is its dial. The watch has a silvery-white dial on which the elongated sticks of the hour markers elegantly lie. The manufacturers made hour markers from stainless steel and polished them with yellow gold, which gives off an aristocratic luster. The length of the sticks differs slightly from one another and I want to point out that the manufacturers have strictly respected their position and angle of inclination. The 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock markers come in form of Roman numerals with a slim and refined silhouette.
In addition…
The dial of the replica watch also has other delectable details. It is about the sand-blasted texture that takes its inspiration from the Art Deco style and the complementary functions of the hour and minutes. In this context, you will notice that the seconds are displayed in the form of a subdial above 6 o’clock. Its circumference is exactly the same size as that of the original watch. In addition, you will discover the moon phase complication between the 8 and 9 o’clock indicators in a black backdrop. The moon inside the complication coincides chromatically with the shade of the hour markers.
Another special detail in this watch is the power reserve indicator from 10 o’clock to 11 o’clock. If you are wondering about the functionality of these complications, they all work to their full potential. The only exception is the power reserve indicator, which for now is only a decorative element, not functional. I really hope that the next releases will offer a set of fully active functions.
Quick facts
This is the general description of the beautiful Vacheron Constantin Malte Moon Phase and Power Reserve replica watch. To summarize everything in a few ideas here is the compact information.
- Replica watch case: 36.70mm x 48.10mm x 10.50mm (the height is 0.01mm thicker than the authentic model);
- Composition: 904l stainless steel polished with 18k pink gold;
- Glass: sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating, both on the inside and outside;
- Mechanism: Japanese AAA-grade hand-wound mechanism that is adjusted with the help of the crown. The crown rotates very easily back and forth, without any specific noise;
- Power reserve: the original battery lasts up to 40 hours. The imitation lasts approximately 30 hours;
- Water resistance: 5 meters. This profile is only enough to wash your hands. The manufacturers do not recommend the interaction of this replica watch with water;
- Bracelet: the replica watch is available with a genuine alligator leather strap. The folding clasp features gold plating and Maltese Cross engraving that looks identical to the original model.
Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Openworked Pink Gold Replica Watch
The second watch I have on my radar is the Malte Tourbillon Openworked replica watch. Frankly speaking, I never liked dials with skeletonized details. I don’t resonate with them at all, And I don’t think that skeletonized functions have a place on the watch face. But, “never say never” as the proverb says. The Malte Tourbillon Openworked watch is the first and only model in which I salute the Openwork design. This is because the execution of the watch is so phenomenal, that the dial looks more like an art painting than a skeletonized face. Let’s see more in detail the condition of the Malte Tourbillon Openworked replica watch.
Aesthetic details
As you can see in the picture, this watch illustrates everything that Vacheron Constantin can create. The timepiece is truly a work of art that refers to Métiers d’Art. Its construction is extremely intricate, and to be honest, I don’t really have high expectations from replica manufacturers. I realize that such a watch is almost impossible to reproduce 100 to 100. Accordingly, I will be indulgent and accept some aesthetic errors.
The replica watch has a mechanism with an adapted shape so that it can be flawlessly incorporated into the tonneau case. At the 6 o’clock indicator, you will find an expressive one-minute tourbillon. It comes encapsulated in a tourbillon-type outline featuring the representative brand’s Maltese cross.
Further on…
The upper part of the case houses the time display. The date indicator is also found here. You will probably find it difficult to identify it because the entire dial is a mixture of lines, structures, and mini-mechanisms. For orientation, the date indicator is right in the upper right corner of the watch face. On the opposite side, at the 10 o’clock indicator, you will find the modest and elegant power reserve function. As in the case of the previous model, this function is decorative.
As for the technical characteristics of this replica watch, it lasts on average 24-30 hours, under the conditions of a complete winding.
Specific particularities
I think the most complicated part for the replica manufacturers was the execution of the skeletonized work of the bridges and plates. It is in this aspect that I identify the most differences between the replica watch and the original model. On the whole, the execution of the movement does not look bad. The details seem to be processed with care and their finish seems to be quite professional. However, I dare not say that the skeletonized structure looks as good as it looks in the genuine watch.
The whole inner mechanism of the genuine Malte Tourbillon Openworked is clearly visible, bright, and refined from all angles. The construction is so well thought out that the light penetrates the smallest and deepest part of the open dial. In contrast, the replica dial seems to lack the vivacity of the dial, although the execution of the skeletonized mechanism seems to be quite ok.
There is no way it could be otherwise. The experts of the Vacheron brand spend around 540 hours processing every detail of the 246 components of the watch. The replica manufacturers produce everything on the assembly line, and whether we like it or not, the lack of passion and dedication is very much felt.
The case details
As in the case of the previous watch, the manufacturers opted for 904l stainless steel, which they dressed in rose gold. By the way, the original model was initially available in platinum. The last release of the model came with the gold version, which the replica manufacturers have also reproduced.
Some time ago, the platinum replica version was available in our AAAReplica store. But honestly speaking, I didn’t really resonate with it. The previous version of this model was abundant in sour tones. That color scheme made it frivolous, cold, and too “tragic”, I would say. The new version, which I discussed in this article, comes in warm pink and brown colors. This color scheme presents it with an absolutely different charisma. It makes it balmy, affectionate, and warm.
Unlike the previous model…
This replica watch has a slightly larger case. We are talking here about dimensions like 38mm x 48.24mm x 12.73mm. As you can see, the width is identical, but the length and thickness have undergone slight changes.
When I put the replica watch on my wrist, it feels slightly more present than the Moon Phase version. In terms of comfort, Moon Phase seemed more accommodating. As for the Tourbillon Openworked replica watch, I feel it is a bit bolder and slightly more dramatic.
In general, the open mechanism looks good in the tonneau case. Even if the dial is missing from this watch (being a skeletonized timepiece), I like that the manufacturers still included elements from the dial. I am specifically referring to the Roman hour marker at 12 o’clock, which stands gorgeously like a lighthouse above the intricate face of the watch.
Bottom line
These are my 2 guilty pleasures from the Constantin Vacheron collection. Both have a phenomenally elegant, unusual, and attractive silhouettes. At the same time, their aesthetic aspects are clearly different from each other. One looks as romantic and calm as possible. The other is as bold and intricate as can be. Which one should I opt for, in your opinion?