One of those "would you do it?" threads (VC & Omega)

[Guybrush]

1) Assume this is the only way to make this happen (ie you can't keep the watches you have and get the new piece)

2) You have Vacheron Traditionelle 82172 in wg and a Seamaster 300m Professional blue wave on bracelet.

3) You may have the opportunity to purchase a VC Overseas 4500v in black.

All of these were/would be purchased new from an AD, either at MSRP or (in the case of the Omega) at a discount. No third-party/grays here.

4) Would you sell the Traditionelle and Seamaster in order to purchase the Overseas?---understanding that this would essentially be a one-watch collection for both work (blazer & tie) and weekend purposes.


---
Background: the Traditionelle is my first and only VC and I've totally fallen for the brand. That watch (the Traditionelle) is, to my eyes anyway, the Platonic ideal of what a dress watch should be---there's nothing coming out of PP or JLC or any other brand that outdoes it. The Seamaster is satisfying in many ways---it's hefty and rugged and beautiful, but it's also ungainly and the clasp is a little too large for my liking, with a 6.75" wrist. Still, it's my daily go-to. (I have a total beater that I use for biking and kayaking, etc., but usually, if I'm not wearing the VC for work, I'm wearing the Omega.)

I'm really drawn to the Overseas and its potential to be dressier (on the leather) or sportier (on the bracelet, which I find very appealing, especially with its hidden clasp). Honestly, I'd probably leave it on the bracelet 90% of the time. Long-term, I'm guessing it'll hold value better than the Traditionelle (certainly better than the Omega), but that's a secondary consideration.

Losing the Seamaster doesn't give me any pause at all. (It's an awesome watch, but, like a Rolex, it's a mass-produced piece, endlessly replaceable---and unlike a Rolex, it's available without a wait.) Losing the Traditionelle does have me feeling a little hesitant: I like the manual movement, which reveals all, no rotor in the way, and the fact that it's a stealthy pm piece. But, then, it's not versatile, and because it's white gold and not antimagnetic or very water resistant, I tend to baby it more than I wish I had to...

Just wondering if anyone else has thoughts. Please don't do the corny "do it if you want to do it" admonishment thing: I'm specifically asking for other people's opinions because I'm interested to hear them---obviously, I'll make whatever choice I want to in the end.

[paxsinica]

I absolutely love the 82172 - it was one of my two choices when deciding on a dress watch. I ended up getting the ALS 1815 up/down instead, but if opportunity presents itself, I'd also like to get the platinum 82172 as well. That being said, if you are able to get the Overseas at retail, I would say definitely go for it. Sell the 82172 and the Seamaster. You could always buy back both at a discount (used) down the road if you end up missing them more than you expected.

[jed11]

I would do this. You’ve listed a great pros and cons list already. For me, I think the versatility of the overseas essentially gives you two watches that could replace both of the ones that you are trading in. Would I wear the overseas the “same way” that you wear your Seamaster? Probably not…and I doubt you would too.

But like you say, the Seamaster is easily replaceable. So I think at some point if you do pick up the Seamaster again, that combined with the overseas is a much better combo.


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[PhilLynott]

Personally I would do this and then over the next period of time set aside funds to add a different secondary watch to compliment the Overseas and I think that will be a pretty solid companion in the meantime.

But you current two watches are also fantastic so can't go wrong.

[solaire]

No.

Owning the speaks volumes about you Traditionnelle & you have a story with it.

Plus the 4500v while it does come with the leather options. It does not & connect fill the void left by selling the traditionnelle if trying to "dress it up"

The PM 4500v slightly gets their will still leave you wanted a dress watch!

Few years ago I'd say pick up a gen 2 overseas and sell the seamaster, to go with the traditionnelle.

Have you tried dressing down the traditionnelle? I've dresses them down by using alternative straps, thought it was on a RG not WG model.


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[Guybrush]

Appreciate all the replies so far!

Re: Solaire---I think I understand your post (tapatalk introduced a lot of typos, I suspect), and to answer your question: yes, I have "dressed down" the traditionelle--sort of. It came on a black double-alligator strap, which I still have and love, though it wore down a bit faster than I would have liked. My color-palette (for work clothes) tends less toward blacks & grays and more toward earth-tones and blues, so I purchased an OEM Vacheron brown alligator/calf-lined strap for it. This makes it less a formal/tuxedo watch, and more compatible with day-to-day business attire.

I wish VC made a white gold bracelet that would fit/suit the Traditionelle. --Like PP does with this Calatrava. I inquired with them a while back and got a polite no to that query.

And I think you were alluding to the PM overseas? Believe me, if I could ever afford to drop 100k on a watch, that'd be in the bag.

I suspect this will end up being a gut-call when my AD gets in touch re: the Overseas. I'm not a flipper, but I also suspect I won't be in a tough spot should I err on the side of the Overseas, as they appear to be doing very well in the secondary market. (I know it's a topic that's been well-covered, but the tide of unobtainium pieces from PP and AP appears to be lifting the VC ships too.)

[CoveWatch]

I'd personally do it because that 4500v is so versatile with the straps. Plus that black dial is something and you can throw on the beige or white rubber (assuming you can find one from VC) for an extra summer sporty look.

[cascavel]

Yes, do it. This makes sense and you'll have one really great watch.

[PBJ1925]

I'd do it. The 3 strap option of the VCO will give you a varied look / experience while getting a piece that is starting to become very difficult to source without a premium.

[rag5178]

I would not if I were you. The Overseas is not a small watch and if the Seamaster is a bit too big for your 6.75 inch wrist in it’s role of a sports watch, then the 4500v, even on leather, will most definitely not serve you well as a dress watch. You invested heavily in an amazing dress watch that’s really connected with you and I think the 4500v will leave you with a void in your collection.

[Justindo]

I personally would not but that's because I think the Traditionnelle (I own your model but in pink gold) is, perhaps, the finest dress watch made and in white gold it can be easily dressed down. I also like the Omega 300M, which punches above its price point, while I don't like the Overseas (I'm just not a fan of '70s integrated bracelet steel luxury sport watches). I would much rather have a dress watch and a sport watch for versatility and variety than a dressy sport watch. To me this is an easy decision: keep what you have and think about adding a third or fourth piece later.

[Pw92676]

I would absolutely do it.

[ts3]

Instead of losing the 82172 and the Seamaster 300m for a 4500V I would just consider replacing the Seamaster with sth else. The 82172 may well be the best simple dress watch there is. I'd certainly keep that one except for possibly upgrading to the grey dial platinum variant. In contrast, I found 4500V blue ok at best when I could have bought it right there at the AD years ago. Nothing special, quite bulky, too blue, and borderline too large on my 6.6 inch wrists. There is little value in the strap options as they make the watch look worse. While I think 4500V black looks better than blue I'd rather keep the Traditionelle.

[yoast]

Originally Posted by Guybrush

1) Would you sell the Traditionelle and Seamaster in order to purchase the Overseas?

Yes

[le_baron]

Considering only the utility of these options, I would keep the Traditionelle and Omega. The Traditionelle is a perfect dress watch and the sporty Omega complements it well. A steel overseas, even with the alligator strap option, cannot replace a gold traditionelle.

The overseas makes more sense to me from a financial perspective. It's hard to turn down the chance to acquire a watch at MSRP when that price bakes in profit relative to the market price.

[Nav01L]

I’ve had a 4500v long enough to tell you that it’s a difficult watch to have long term. Sure, it’s fun to experience, but honestly, it suffers from an inconsistency that may start bugging you over time. On one hand, it has Geneva seal level watchmaking, which would deserve to be treated with some respect and decorum in honor of the time and dedication the people who manufacture these watches put into it and in recognition of the price it commends. On the other hand, it has a truly robust case around all that. In that way, it is like a Datejust, a delicate and elegant watch in its intent, but quite robust in its execution. And ultimately, it’s too robust to be truly elegant, but too precious in terms of its workmanship and price to be a real beater.

For me, that means I used mine too hard (even took it mountaineering) for what I felt comfortable doing to it over time. I was always caught between what I knew it could withstand and how I knew it should be treated. I ended up selling it (before the hype so that was no factor in my decision) in the reverse of what you are contemplating and replaced it with a Lange 1 as a token of appreciation for fine watchmaking and a steel Rolex to wear during rougher activities. Way happier with that setup.

[Guybrush]

Yeah, that is something I've been thinking about: how comfortable I'll be wearing a $20k watch as a daily, knowing it's bound to get desk-diver scratches and doorframe dings.

Still head-scratching here---and I don't think I'll need to decide all that soon, since the wait-time for the VCOS may be a while.

Thanks for these helpful replies, all.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by Guybrush

Yeah, that is something I've been thinking about: how comfortable I'll be wearing a $20k watch as a daily, knowing it's bound to get desk-diver scratches and doorframe dings.

Still head-scratching here---and I don't think I'll need to decide all that soon, since the wait-time for the VCOS may be a while.

Thanks for these helpful replies, all.

In the end, it probably comes down to the sentimental value of your Traditionnelle. If it’s fungible to you, then nothing speaks against trying and making the experience first hand. If you run into the same problem I did, i.e. that the overseas is too nice in some and too blunt in other situations, then you’ll probably come out ahead if you sell it and go back to a Traditionnelle. But if you mentally tie the Traditionnelle to a specific event or memory, it’s not something that’s easily replaced once you’ve let it go.

The only thing that could happen to you if you flip it is that your boutique will wonder why you’re no longer wearing it when you come in buying a Traditionnelle for the second time. So don’t be surprised if you land on some sort of blacklist.