Vacheron Constantin

The son of the company's founder, Abraham Vacheron, took over the watch workshop based in Geneva's Saint Gervais district in 1785. A few years later, the shockwaves of the French Revolution caused general unrest in the country but despite this, Abraham Vacheron led the company to success. From 1810, further growth was led by the third generation in the person of Jacques Barthélémi Vacheron. This was an era of technical innovations for the watch brand such as sophisticated and complicated calibers. These included a watch that not only displayed the time but could also play two melodies!

The year 1819 saw a legendary cooperation when master-watchmaker Jacques Barthélémi Vacheron and merchant François Constantin formed a partnership. Their aim was to produce the best timekeepers in the world and their motto was '"If possible, always do better - and that is always possible".

Due to the growing demands on watchmaking, all eyes were soon on the Vacheron Constantin factory. The brand drew attention to itself with sophisticated calibers: in 1824, a pocket watch with a jumping hour appeared, a true technical masterpiece with a cylinder escapement and a three-arm metal balance. In order for the components of a watch to be mass-produced and thus easier to replace, Jacques-Barthélémy oversaw the introduction of the pantograph in 1839. This had been developed by the Swiss engineer and watchmaker George-Auguste Leschot. As an important and fundamental piece of technology for the Geneva watch industry, the pantograph was awarded the "Prix de la Rive" by the Société des Arts.

The brand reached a peak in terms of accuracy at the end of the 1860s with the introduction of the first pocket chronometer called the Savonette. Since then, its highly precise timepieces have served as reliable instruments for both scientists and the military. Over time, the technical properties of Vacheron Constantin watches became increasingly impressive - of particular note is the two-sided pocket watch with anchor escapement, bimetal balance and perpetual calendar produced in 1884. Vacheron Constantin presented another technical masterpiece in 1929: a gold pocket watch equipped with a chronograph, perpetual calendar, minute repeater and both small and large striking mechanisms. This valuable piece was a gift to Egypt's King Fuad I. A few years later, King Farouk of Egypt also received a very special product: the Grande Complication produced for him was a watchmaking masterpiece with 820 components and 15 complications.

In addition to its impressive watch technology, Vacheron Constantin also made an early name for itself with its unusual designs. In 1924, for example, the manufacturer fitted a gold pocket watch with a map of Italy made of blue enamels. This set new standards in terms of aesthetics and precision. Watch covers decorated with colourful pictures and magnificent luxury models kept appearing in the brand's collections. A special highlight is the "Kallista" from 1979. This glamorous wristwatch, whose name translates as "most beautiful" was made from a 1 kg gold bar and finished with 118 diamonds.

Jean-Marc Vacheron was one of the first to launch a series of wristwatches for women in 1889. The filigree yellow gold model with its diamond embellishments and gold decorations made women's hearts beat faster. The manufacturer also recognised the trend towards the tonneau shape and in 1912 tempted discerning customers with its first elongated models. Vacheron Constantin showed a flair for international trends in the early 1920s: for the American market, it developed a wristwatch with a pillow-shaped case and eye-catching hands and indices. In 1952, a bold Vacheron Constantin design with a rectangular-shaped case and rounded corners appeared. It hit the mark again, becoming a great success. The Aronde launched in the mid-1950s caught the eye with its unusual curved shape. This swallow-shape was the result of an era marked by creative daring. A few years later, the manufacturer returned to classic simplicity with timelessly beautiful wristwatches featuring minimalist dials and clean lines. The Patrimony, issued in 2004, represents a contemporary interpretation of those classic wristwatches.

One way the company demonstrated its unprecedented expertise in the field of watchmaking was by the development of extremely slim wristwatches. In 1968, an impressive square-cased model appeared with a caliber of only 2.45mm. In 1992, Vacheron Constantin presented the slimmest minute repeater of all time with the 1755 caliber. The 'extra-slim' models from the current Historiques collection pay tribute to these innovative movements.

In 1996, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas model became the first sports chronograph in the brand's watch collection. The focus of the Overseas watches is on a combination of uncompromising functionality and stylish design: perfect readability, useful complications, anti-magnetism and robustness ensure these models are faithful companions on even the most adventurous of trips. And, in no way do these features compromise the watch's aesthetic appeal.

From Fiftysix to Traditionnelle: Vacheron Constantin's watches are masterpieces of traditional watchmaking, successfully demonstrating fine craftsmanship combined with a spirit of technical innovation. Discover the most coveted models at CHRONEXT:

• Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix
• Vacheron Constantin Harmony
• Vacheron Constantin Historiques
• Vacheron Constantin Malte
• Vacheron Constantin Oversize
• Vacheron Constantin Patrimony
• Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle
• Vacheron Constantin Vintage-Uhren