A very fancy case: The Vacheron Constantin Quai de l’Ile is an extremely large and rather unusual watch in terms of design – it is very huge, very wide, very uncommon, rather less elegant. It has a clear, excellently legible modern sector-style dial and a Vacheron Constantin movement with the Poinçon de Genève (the Hallmark of Geneva). At the time, it was placed by Vacheron Constantin as an entry-level proposition. The watch in a stainless steel case was finally offered with a silver, blue or black dial (Ref. 4500S). It has an automatic movement (VC Caliber 5100) and a power reserve of 60 hours.

The movement and its winding rotor work rather noisy. The extravagant case consists of many segments and surfaces. Due to the many polished segments, the watch case scratches exceedingly easily. The silver dial with strong but discreet luminous material has applied alternating Arabic numerals and index hour markers. Particularly distinctive is the date ring with the pointer, fully visible, which is a key component of the Vacheron Constantin Quai de l’Ile dial design. The watch comes with two straps: a brown leather strap (aligator) with a large stainless steel folding clasp (a bit too large) and a blue rubber interchangeable strap (without a clasp – not very practical).

Poinçon de Genève – a watch with the Geneva Seal and a Passport

Unfortunately, the twin-barrel automatic movement has a very large rotor that hides much of the beautiful (Poinçon de Genève) movement, but the Caliber 5100 is highly decorated and it has an exquisite finish. You see a lot of style and perfection for your money such as anglages, polished bevels, polished screws, Geneva stripes, circular graining and an empty 3D-engraved, (grey) matte finished rotor. The dial is free of distracting lettering and inscriptions: Vacheron Constantin, Geneva, Swiss Made is all that appears on the dial in a very restrained typography.

The very first execution of the Vacheron Constantin Quai de l’Ile could be personalised in almost innumerable combinations of case elements, materials, colours and dial designs. Hundreds of confusing possibilities were conceivable. Vacheron Constantin very quickly abandoned this concept. In a second execution, the watch was only available in very few basic designs and materials. And this series was not produced for long either. After a rather short period in the collection, the fancy Vacheron Constantin Quai de l’Ile is no longer available today.

Feeling like a Swiss citizen

One surprise left: the documents accompanying the watch are particularly noteworthy. At that time, one received a kind of identity card, a booklet, a passport, together with the watch. Vacheron Constantins idea was to reach a new level of security together with the Quai de l’Ile watches. The watch came with a Vacheron Constantin passport and this document has very similar standards of security, protection and quality as a Swiss passport. So, you can feel a little bit Swiss with this watch. The Vacheron Constantin Quai de l’Ile is a watch with a lifetime passport booklet. This is something unique and very special.

Yes or No?

If you flip through the following criteria, you might find the answer to the “Is-the-Quai-de-l’Ile-the-Right-Watch-for-me-Question”:
1 You like a watch from the so-called Holy Trinity of Swiss brands.
2 You have always wanted a watch with the Poinçon de Genève.
3 You like to wear a modern Vacheron Constantin in stainless steel.
4 You like large size modern wristwatches.
5 A time-only watch is the perfect watch for you.
6 You are looking for fancy date-indications.
7 You do not need a hacking second watch movement.
8 You want a watch with a passport.
9 You prefer a really uncommon courageous design.
10 You do not care much about reselling value.