Vacheron Constantin article Status Magazine 2013

VACHERON CONSTANTIN
The Malte Tourbillon’s rose gold case
measures 38 x 48mm, and is the largest
model in the Malte collection. It features
a hand-wound movement with a 45hour power reserve and has earned the
celebrated Geneva Seal.
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Bending
TI
TIME
A
s one of the first to produce tonneau-shaped
watches in the early 1900s, the historic
Genevoise manufacture quickly appreciated
the possibilities of this barrel-shaped form.
In 2012, Vacheron Constantin celebrated the centennial
of its first tonneau watch by redesigning the elegant
Malte case, a modern heir to the legacy.
The current Malte collection was introduced in
2000. In 2012 the shape was further refined with a more
tapered contour that gives the Malte a more tailored
and contemporary look. To showcase this new style,
Vacheron Constantin unveiled the Malte Tourbillon in
rose gold. The case, which measures 38 x 48mm, is the
largest in the Malte collection.
To further commemorate the 100th Anniversary, the
maison also introduced a new tourbillon movement,
Caliber 2795. The intricate rotating cage of the tourbillon contains highly refined components responsible for
maintaining a steady timekeeping rate. The cage rotates
to diffuse gravity’s force on the movement, giving the
watch an even higher degree of accuracy. In keeping
with Vacheron Constantin tradition, the tourbillon cage
is in the shape of a Maltese cross, the brand’s signature.
Vacheron Constantin updates tradition
with the sleek look of the Malte.
BY SCOTT HICKEY
timepieces, like Caliber 2795, to outside scrutiny in order
to earn the Geneva Seal (or Poinçon de Genève).
For more than a century, this prestigious certification has been given to watches — made exclusively in
Geneva — that meet vigorous watchmaking criteria. To
qualify, Vacheron Constantin submits its watches to the
Geneva Laboratory of Horology and Microengineering,
which in turn administers a series of tests designed to
determine if the watch meets standards for finishing,
construction and performance.
MORE THAN WORDS
The movement reflects the maison’s formidable technical expertise, and, at the same time, exhibits its commitment to exceptional traditional craftsmanship. Caliber
2795, which was designed specifically to fit the Malte’s
curves, is an exquisite example of high horology. It’s
what you would expect from a brand dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of watchmaking.
For Vacheron Constantin, actions speak louder than
words. So its watchmakers go a step further and independently verify the quality of their work by subjecting
The Malte Tourbillon’s clear caseback permits a close
inspection of Vacheron Constantin’s hand-finishing, including the côtes de Genève on the main plates.
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VACHERON CONSTANTIN
ORCHESTRATING RESTRAINT
Vacheron Constantin knows what all great musicians know, which is that the
notes you play are just as important as those you don’t. This kind of
tasteful less-is-more aesthetic is emblematic of the Patrimony
collection and its dedication to timeless classicism.
Vacheron Constantin finds creative freedom within these
refined parameters, and offers two lines within the Patrimony Collection: the Traditionelle and the Contemporaine.
The differences between these round-cased siblings
are subtle but telling. The Traditionelle draws its inspiration from Vacheron Constantin’s rich history, including
the dauphine-shaped hands, railway-style minute circle
and smaller case diameter. The Contemporaine line features baton-shaped hands, gold-dot minute markers
and a larger dial to define its modern aesthetic.
Two distinctive models from the Patrimony collection
bring these concepts into sharp focus. First is the
Patrimony Traditionelle Small Seconds with a new
model in platinum introduced this year. Its design is
beautifully understated, from the slim case (7.9mm thick)
to the sophisticated simplicity of its slate-gray dial.
Similar to a pocket watch, the dial features a traditional railway (chemin de fer) minute circle. The minutes are indicated on a black track with white minute
markers. This pattern is repeated in the small seconds
display, which is decorated with circular graining that
echoes the watch’s circle-within-a-circle motif.
The minute markers on the
silvered opaline dial match
the rose gold case used for
the Patrimony Contemporaine
Date Self-Winding.
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The Patrimony Traditionelle
Small Seconds is housed
inside a 38mm platinum case
that is less than 8mm thick.
The watch bears the prestigious
Geneva Seal.
The back of the Patrimony Traditionelle Small
Seconds has a sapphire crystal that allows the wearer
to view the exquisite decoration that adorns the
hand-wound movement. The watch is produced exclusively at the firm’s historic manufacture and bears the
Geneva Seal.
The Patrimony Contemporaine Date SelfWinding has also earned the Geneva Seal, but its
design follows a different path. Here, the focus
is sleek and refined, from the case and
hour markers to the silvered opaline dial. Its clean modern arrangement includes an aperture
at 6 o’clock where the date is displayed.
The view from the back is just as
magnificent. Look no further than the
gold winding rotor and its captivating
decorative pattern. When the watch is
worn, the owner’s natural wrist movements turn the rotor and wind the mainspring, which holds 40 hours of
power in reserve.
LADIES’ CHOICE
More than 200 years after making its first pocket watch for ladies, Vacheron
Constantin still enjoys a reputation among women who appreciate mechanical
movements as much as beautiful design.
Styles change, but the maison’s dedication to artistic crafts has remained
a constant source of pride since it was founded in 1755. During the 1800s,
it cultivated a department of decorative
artists who specialized in creating ornate
objets d’art, including gem-set pocket
watches, magnificent enamel dials, and
brooches made to conceal miniature
watches.
That high level of artistry remains
an essential element of Vacheron
Constantin’s identity today and
serves as the focal point of its
modern Métiers d’Art collection
— which includes haute joaillerie timepieces — as well as
the new ladies’ models it added to the Patrimony line earlier
this year.
Luxury meets delicate charm
in the Patrimony Traditionelle
Lady Manual-Winding. Its diamondset bezel joins seamlessly with the slim
case, which, at 7.65mm thick, rests lightly on the wrist.
Available in either rose or white gold,
the 33mm case surrounds a mechanical
movement, made exclusively in-house
by Vacheron Constantin, that boasts a 40hour power reserve as well as an engraving
that confirms the timepiece’s Geneva Seal
pedigree.
Middle left: The rose
To satisfy more modern tastes, the firm
gold Patrimony Contemoffers up the Patrimony Contemporaine Lady Autoporaine Lady Automatic
matic in rose gold with a matching bracelet. It shares
shines with diamonds on the
the same aesthetic DNA as the men’s Contemporaine
bezel and dial. Decorative guilloché
line, but remains decidedly feminine thanks to key
adorns the rotor that winds the
differences like the diamonds on the bezel and dial.
manufacture-made
movement.
Women who value mechanical watchmaking will
surely admire the Geneva Seal Certified watch’s selfRight top & bottom: More than 50 diamonds glitter on
winding movement. It features a date display on the
the rose gold bezel that surrounds the opaline dial found
silvered dial, while the clear crystal caseback proin the Patrimony Traditionelle Lady Manual-Winding.
vides a view of the winding rotor, which is dressed
Also available in white gold, both versions of this 33mm
impeccably in decorative guilloché.
model are Geneva Seal certified, and equipped with
With its superlative selection of mechanical timea hand-wound movement that’s made in-house by
pieces for both women and men, Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin.
proves that fine watchmaking is appreciated by all. ¨
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