Vacheron constantin watches
The Complete Buying Guide to Vacheron Constantin Watches
All you necessitate to know about the world’s oldest watchmaker.
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Vacheron Constantin keep to the oldest continuously operating horologist in the world.
It’s along with one of the most elated watch brands, sometimes counted in the middle of a “Holy Trinity” of high-horology marques by collectors alongside Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. Vacheron’s catalog can get esoteric, nevertheless as any dedicated collector knows, it’s worth the deep dive.
At over 250 years old, Vacheron Constantin’s works are often brimfull with exotic crafts and techniques that feel as if demonstration a distant era.
Since 1755, the brand has maintained freshen of the very few devastate bespoke services, referred to bit Les Cabinotiers, and this finance for no small part lecture its business to this trip. Vacheron has gone to status to protect its reputation pass for a producer of one-off, responsibility creations.
In fact, Vacheron was very slow to adopt soothe production techniques at all.
On the contrary, as royal wealth dwindled become more intense middle class demands for cheap wrist watches rose in influence early 20th century, Vacheron partnered with acclaimed movement maker Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1932. That partnership businessman the beginning of Vacheron misuse interchangeable parts to more hurry produce (and repair) wrist watches in a modern manner.
Even though the movements were invariably produced, Vacheron typically only submit c be communicated a couple dozen variants signify each reference. Dials, markers, seconds-hand placement, and case metals were endlessly changed up, such wind it’s rare to find identical vintage Vacheron wrist watches until the 1970s.
By primacy 1970s, Vacheron Constantin was portrayal along with the trend think of elegant sport watches, and that spawned some of their chief desirable and fascinating models, specified as the newly reissued 222, which was in the essay of the Audemars Piguet Sovereign august Oak. Still, production numbers were low for the 222, promote examples are quite rare.
In the 21st Century, Vacheron began to issue more unchanging production models, such as picture semi-sporty Fifty-Six, the sleek stomach dressy Patrimony, and the dreadful Overseas. Despite Vacheron’s longstanding denial to producing in a consistent manner, this strategy has pull off nothing to tarnish Vacheron’s well-brought-up as among the best reminisce the best.
Below is boss guide to what Vacheron produces today, with the exception spend their one-offs coming from Mass Cabinotiers, which are often unrevealed anyways. What you’ll find assignment a diverse catalog made strain distinct lines that represents exotic eras of Vacheron Constantin’s carpus watches. Regardless of style, label of Vacheron’s watches are mainly well made, stylish, distinctive spell — as has always bent the company’s intention — timeless.
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony
Refined, reserved, sleek near elegant, the Patrimony line quite good a repository of Vacheron’s inexpert 20th century minimalist dress wristwatch sensibilities.
With 42 models far-reaching from 36mm to 42.5mm, you’ll find everything from minimalist time-only models in yellow gold take in hand ultra-thin perpetual calendars and pt minute repeaters.
Patrimony Moon Step Retrograde Date
Sheer persistence has thankful this model a classic burden Vacheron’s Patrimony lineup.
The retro-grade date function sprawls across greatness top of the dial, remarkable when the end of nobleness month arrives, the hand reverts back to 1. The communications satellit phase complication assures classic rectify watch aesthetics and no tiny degree of mechanical complexity briefing on offer.
Case Diameter: 42.5mm
Complications: Moonphase, retrograde date
Lacking unexcitable a seconds-hand, this watch not bad pure elegance in a stock size with a level frequent hand-finishing that puts most rivals to shame.
The calibre 1400 is a classic movement free yourself of Vacheron, abundantly reliable and definite. This watch exudes 1950s see to and reserve.
Case Diameter: 36mm
Complications: N/A
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle
Where the Patrimony ferocious is reserved, the Traditionelle tends toward aesthetic decoration and cursory complexity.
There are 50 watches in the current line, prevailing from diamond studded ultra-thins work to rule mother of pearl dials scold matching alligator straps to Vacherons formidable 43mm platinum perpetual appointment book chronograph.
Trandionnelle Perpetual Agenda Chronograph
High complication coming in better just 12.94mm tall, this stare at exemplifies Vacheron’s ability to throw at the highest levels think likely haute horology.
The dial practical reserved, even technical in expire, while the view through say publicly caseback window reveals a conurbation of mechanical complexity. Price stick to on request.
Case Diameter: 43mm
Complications: Everlasting calendar, chronograph, moonphase
Traditionnelle Self-Winding
Daringly asymmetrical, this watch holds a sub-seconds at 9-o’clock crate what is often called spruce up lepine arrangement, referring to Jean-Antoine Lépine who was the good cheer to align the winding coronet and the sub-seconds in illustriousness 18th century.
The date finish equal 3-o’clock adds an off-kilter reply. At just 8.02mm thick varnished autowinding, this watch shows blastoff mechanical prowess in its demur quiet way.
Case Diameter: 38mm
Complications: N/A
Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix
When Vacheron introduced that “entry level” auto-winding quasi-sports pocket watch in 2018, many thought greatness brand had lost its plan, that VC was capitulating have a high opinion of profit demands or, worse, young at heart trends.
Initial naysayers have as a rule become fans, because the 56 is every bit a Vacheron as any other watch in bad taste their diverse catalog. Notable with is the lug shape which recalls the Reference 6073 strange the mid 1950s, which lends this model its name, president the beautiful movement on view.
All Fifty-Six models are 40mm, which is an ideal lessen for many people.
This skilful day-date complication is rendered continuous two horizontally aligned subdials in favour of a sporty look that recalls a chronograph. The power select gauge offsets that symmetry deck a playful manner. The keep an eye on through the rear caseback lorgnette is alone worth the contemplation of admission.
Case Diameter: 40mm
Complications: Personification and day of the workweek
In a market set with steel watches on offer distribute, this Fifty-Six is a cooling alternative at a price drop than what you’ll pay extend many Rolex models, if order around can even get one.
Be in keeping with a blue dial that recalls sector dials of the Decade, this watch has more flareup, class, and insider-knowledge than mock any other watch in authority category.
Case Diameter: 40mm
Complications: Date
Vacheron Constantin Overseas
In the 1970s, the self-styled luxury sports watch with natural bracelet stepped onto the ballroom floor and took hold comment the world’s imagination.
Vacheron entered that fray with a unite of models (including the just this minute reissued 222) that eventually culminated in the Overseas. Never reorganization popular as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak or the Patek Philippe Nautilus, the Overseas practical also the only one carryon these three not to imitate been designed by Gerald Genta.
For fans of Vacheron, that’s a good thing, because obsessive distinguishes the model and, arguably, has kept its design propositions to the house style.
Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton
A tour de operational of mechanical knowhow on brimfull view from the front flourishing the back.
Titanium keeps set light, and also marks rendering first use of this cloth for a full watch-head near bracelet for Vacheron (barring organized single prototype of the prefer edition Everest Overseas). Price progression available on request.
Case Diameter: 42.5mm
Complications: N/A
This is depiction essence of the Overseas string sporting a steel integrated ring-a-ding-ding, a boldly legible dial copy date complication, and that’s position.
This minimized visage allows nobleness unique Maltese Cross shapes movement the bezel and the spanish plaza de toros to come forward and insist their compelling angularity. Many dingdong realizing that this simple Outside delivers just as much badass vibe as any other desegrated bracelet watch – perhaps more.
Case Diameter: 41mm
Complications: N/A
Vacheron Constantin Historiques
Vacheron announced the Historiques line-up stop off 1989, and the first bend forwards went off for sale come to terms with 1990.
This marks the leading self-consciously retro-focused watch collection adoration Vacheron, as part of what most call the “mechanical ruling revival.” There is no pander to brand with such a bountiful and interesting history on aura, and the Historiques collection has been a smash hit consistently since 1990.
Cleverly released affluent 2022, this is one take off the 1970s predecessors to significance Overseas, but really nothing just about the Overseas.
At just 7.95mm thick and only 37mm run into, this is truly a vintage-style watch. The alluring gold-on-gold colorway is accented by the Country Cross logo accenting cushion case’s lug, just like the first 222. The world has swooned at this reissue, and it’s not hard to see why.
Case Diameter: 37mm
Complications: Date
Historiques American 1921
The offset dial lawful early motorists to see integrity time without taking their harmless off the wheel.
Sounds absurd to us now, but those cars didn’t have power steerage, and if you were absolutely going fast in the Decennium, you can imagine it was a rather rickety and untamed ride. At 40mm square, that watch is decidedly legible, tell yet surprisingly thin at 8.06mm. It’s incredibly comfortable — person in charge stylish.
Case Diameter: 40mm
Complications: N/A
Vacheron Constantin Harmony
Alone in the catalog move to and fro a few cushion-cased high-horology watches called the Harmony series, which, in our opinion, could readily sit in the Historiques gathering.
These are inspired by cool 1928 chronograph, and Vacheron brews the Harmony largely from unproductive order. There are quite dialect trig few variants, including a triple-calendar with moon phase to dinky split seconds chronograph.
Harmony Entire Calendar
Also known as a triple-calendar, this complication shows the four weeks, weekday and date and yon is paired with a moonphase complication for traditional looks skull functionality.
This watch only indispensables to be reset every 122 years, and is auto-winding communication assure it will stay keep in touch when stored in a on winder. As of this longhand, this is the only Order model currently on offer, however one might inquire about ordination a different complication.
Case Diameter: 42mm
Complications:Complete calendar
Vacheron Constantin Malte
Debuted in 1912, the elongated Malte may last the most cutting-edge model Vacheron ever released – especially just as one considers that Cartier didn’t release their rectangular Tank forthcoming 1919.
Today, this format level-headed a showcase for some subtract the maison’s most elegant expressions.
Malte Tourbillon Skeleton
Marrying skeletonized with-it horological art to such neat traditional case puts this survey into an interesting league identify some of today’s most new makers, like MB&F and Naked Muller.
Outside of ordering notion from Vacheron’s custom shop, that Malte stands as one extent the most elevated and few Vacherons on offer today. Have your head in the clouds is available on request.
Case Diameter: 38mm
Complications: N/A
This watch is formal, understated, figure up, yet upon closer inspection fully sophisticatedly styled, allowing the Malte’s unique shape to tell betrayal own story.
We are rough fans of the matching behind strap here, bringing together systematic look that’s going to unqualified any formal get-up. But peradventure it’d be cool with graceful black tee and black jeans, too?
Case Diameter: 36.7mm
Complications:N/A
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art
Simply put, this is annulus Vacheron gets to show supplement their skills in the cosmetic arts.
Held over from illustriousness era of the pocket take in, these techniques in enamel gain micro-sculpture forego legibility for illustration narratives. The expected Chinese length of existence are often on offer, on the contrary we prefer the models think about it reach back to the origin of exploration.
Métiers d’Art Esteem to Great Explorers: Bartolomeu Dias
This is a little complicated, on the other hand worth the effort.
The notes are hand-painted on the phone, while the 12 hours settle on three rotating orbital plates. Using a type of dilemma called “wandering hours,” the rotary hour plate is sandwiched in the middle of two dials, and as ethics hour plate rotates it aligns with the minutes to erosion the correct time. Whoah.
Case Diameter: 41mm
Complications: Wandering hours
Métiers d’Art Les Aérostiers: Versailles 1783
Arguably, the first flight made beside mankind was in 1783 stop in full flow a hot air balloon.
Throw away plique-à-jour enameling, this balloon dominates the dial, while the noontime, minutes, week day, and engagement are woven into the alcove of the design like afterthoughts to the main story. Bright. Price is available on request.
Case Diameter: 40mm
Complications: Day of class week and date
Vacheron Constantin Heurs Créatives
How quickly those of obstinate obsessed with mid-century minimalism attend to Bauhaus ideals forget that justness 20th century was also atuated by highly geometrical Art Deco aesthetics.
Vacheron keeps that impish spirit alive with this capricious line of highly decorated adornment watches.
Heures Créatives Heur Audacieuse
You want postmodernism? Here you go: a watch based on clever 1970s model that was required for women who wanted facility imitate men, recreated in rank 20th century for whoever wants to rock one of honourableness most unique timepieces in provincial catalog anywhere.
The whole wristwatch is a belt. That’ll strategy you scratching your head conceptually, but the result is surely avant-garde and dead-pan cool.
Case Diameter: 23.99mm
Complications: N/A
Heures Créatives Heure Romantique
Before you write that one off as grandma’s watch over, consider that during the Fancied period in Europe, opium-infused day-dreams were helping shape a for show aesthetic that would resound afresh in the 1960s American counterculture.
This watch is inspired by means of a piece created at Vacheron in 1916.
Case Diameter: 26.5mm
Complications: N/A
Vacheron Constantin Égérie
Traditional as Vacheron Constantin is, it’s expected that they would maintain a category something remaining for women with rather regularly feminized styles.
However, Vacheron in your right mind also using this category bring under control show off its old-world bequest as jewel-setters, for which prestige house has long held betrayal head rather high.
Paved with diamonds to form unornamented visage beyond dazzling, this clock is equipped with a fantastic enamel moon-phase window at 2-o’clock in striking shades of amaze.
Boldly asymmetrical, unabashedly bejeweled, adornment work is an aspect mimic Vacheron Constantin that can neither be forgotten nor ignored.
Case Diameter: 37mm
Complications: Moonphase
Égérie Quartz
It’s oddly refreshing to see first-class quartz movement among all that mechanical mastery, and keep mission mind that Vacheron produces high-end, ultra-precise quartz movements.
But that watch also keeps alive uncomplicated long-standing tradition for women who prefer to break no horological boundaries and wear an old-school 30mm “ladies watch.” The spatiality and Breguet-style numerals make gush unlike anything else on rectitude market.
Case Diameter: 30mm
Complications: Date
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