Pisa Orologeria - SIHH, Geneva 2009

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SIHH, Geneva 2009

Vacheron Constantin

The New Patrimony Models: Consummate Purity and Elegance

The Patrimony line encapsulates Vacheron Constantin's very DNA, its heritage and its savoir-faire, patiently accumulated for over 250 years. It is also a symbol of the purest kind of elegance, a recognised and longstanding signature of Vacheron Constantin.

With its round cases and timeless classicism, the Patrimony is rooted in the purest tradition of watchmaking.

Patrimony Traditionnelle

The Traditionnelle line of the Patrimony collection, which was introduced in 2007, is inspired by the aesthetic features that have distinguished some of Vacheron Constantin's most beautiful historical models.

Stamped with purism and rigour, it also adheres to those fundamental values which are important for true connoisseurs and which distinguish the Geneva Manufacture's most exclusive pieces.

A fine bezel, knurling around the screw-down sapphire crystal back, faceted trapezoid hourmarkers, dauphine hands and dials in several historically-inspired shades of silver, and a tiered case and horns with pure, straight lines. These identifying characteristics of the Patrimony Traditionnelle line, expressed in a contemporary style, remind us that tradition and modernity are natural bedfellows at Vacheron Constantin.

All the new models in the Patrimony Traditionnelle line meet these clearly defined characteristics. As a result, this prestige line can house a mechanical movement that features a small seconds as well as a major complication.

The Manufacture's engineers, designers and master watchmakers use this line as a vehicle to express the very best of the Vacheron Constantin tradition.

A new example of this dynamic is offered with this year's launching of some new exceptional timepieces in the Patrimony Traditionnelle line, timepieces that express Vacheron Constantin's savoir-faire and its commitment to the patient construction of a reference line.

The Patrimony Traditionnelle line is offering some extraordinary new major pieces in 2009: from a new exclusive manual-winding movement to the most emblematic of chronographs to skeleton and jewellery models.

«Historiques American 1921»

The Les Historiques line was born out of the desire to highlight the richness of Vacheron Constantin's heritage by reviving emblematic legendary models conveying the brand's spirit and savoir-faire in contemporary reinterpretations.

So, following last year's presentation of the reinterpretation of the Chronomètre Royal 1907 to celebrate that watch's 100th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin is now presenting the Historiques American 1921. This timepiece is inspired by an avant-garde cushion-shaped wristwatch featuring a crown at one o'clock and produced in very limited numbers by the Geneva-based manufacture specifically for the American market during the Roaring Twenties.

Respecting the spirit of that era, Vacheron Constantin has once again returned to basics by combining creativity and historical accuracy. The new Historiques American 1921, therefore, pays homage to the bold style of the 1920's.

Classically inspired, elegant, unpretentious but original, and a real dandy of a watch, this model features a case that is faithful to the original and still cushion-shaped, but now crafted in 18K pink gold and with a diameter of 40 mm. Its most distinguishing characteristic is the diagonal reading of the time, with the crown positioned at one o'clock like the original model.

The dial, with its sand-blasted finish, has 12 Arabic numerals painted in black and a minute-track, also painted in black. The Breguet hour and minute hands are in black oxidized 18K gold. The seconds-counter hand at 4 o'clock, however, is baton-shaped, though also in black oxidized 18K gold.

The case, featuring a slightly convex sapphire crystal, has a transparent back through which one can admire the exceptional finishing of the brand new manual-winding 4400 movement, developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin and stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. The movement, which is 28 mm in diameter and 2.8 mm high, indicates hours and minutes, with the seconds on a subdial, and has a frequency of 28,800 vibrations / hour and a power reserve of around 65 hours.

Water-resistant to 3 bar, the approximate equivalent of 30 metres, this new model comes on a dark-brown, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, square-scaled alligator leather strap adorned with an 18K pink gold buckle in the shape of a half Maltese cross.

The production of the Historiques American 1921 will be limited. It should particularly appeal to connoisseurs and to enthusiasts of bold, classical Haute Horlogerie timepieces looking for watches that whet their curiosity due to the timelessness of their aesthetic and functional qualities.