Source:
https://scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3176611/watches-wonders-edit-vacheron-constantin-unveils-11
Style/ Luxury

Watches & Wonders Edit: Vacheron Constantin unveils 11 sophisticated new timepieces, from the new 222 Historiques 18K yellow gold version to complex Les Cabinotiers and Métiers d’Art models

  • The oldest Swiss watch manufacture in continuous operation has kept up with trends, evidenced in the new Patrimony and Traditionnelle women’s models
  • Other 2022 pieces include the Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton and Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar, as well as the Historiques 18K yellow gold version of the 222
In contrast to 10 other new Vacheron Constantin models launched at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022, the 222 retains its classic understated look. Photos: Vacheron Constantin

For historical watchmakers Vacheron Constantin, Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022 was truly emblematic of the brand’s motto: “One of not many”. The brand announced a total of 11 new timepieces for the coming year, with selective novelties added to each collection to offer further diversity to their clientele.

“We don’t produce a lot. The objective is to showcase that we can be strong and powerful even with a limited number of references. It’s not about the volume but the value,” says chief executive officer Louis Ferla.

Vacheron Constantin is the oldest Swiss watch manufacture in continuous operation since its founding in 1755. With a rich 267-year history, the maison has produced some of the most amazingly complicated timepieces, including their Les Cabinotiers and Métiers d’Art collections.

The made-to-order Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Split Seconds Monopusher Chronograph was a highlight of Watches and Wonders 2022.
The made-to-order Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Split Seconds Monopusher Chronograph was a highlight of Watches and Wonders 2022.

The made-to-order Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Split Seconds Monopusher Chronograph announced at Watches and Wonders this year is a prime example of the way watchmakers at the maison continue to push the boundaries with complications. This rare and complex combination, featuring the new in-house Calibre 2757, takes what had mainly been seen only in pocket watches and put it on the wrists of true connoisseurs.

The Les Cabinotiers Les Royaumes Aquatiques adds a nod to the aquatic kingdom with some stunningly intricate métiers d’art with self-winding, tourbillon and a minute repeater tourbillon options.

Les Cabinotiers Sea Horse is a 18-carat 5N pink gold creation using four métiers d’art techniques: hand-engraving, hand-guillochage, hand-enamelling and gem-setting to highlight the seahorse parading around the tourbillon.
Les Cabinotiers Sea Horse is a 18-carat 5N pink gold creation using four métiers d’art techniques: hand-engraving, hand-guillochage, hand-enamelling and gem-setting to highlight the seahorse parading around the tourbillon.

“The Les Cabinotiers collection really offers the best of both worlds with the métiers d’art and the high complications, the two pillars of Vacheron Constantin. It showcases what we can do in complications and how we have elevated ourselves constantly to challenge ourselves with new movements,” says Ferla.

Also significantly, Vacheron Constantin presented a strong showing for their ladies choices with stellar interpretations of the elegant self-winding Patrimony, which comes in a classical blue and white gold combination, and a pink gold version with pink blush dial, with diamond-set bezel options.

Vacheron Constantin’s women’s watches include the Patrimony, presented in two shades here.
Vacheron Constantin’s women’s watches include the Patrimony, presented in two shades here.

Taking into consideration feedback from their female clientele who wanted feminine pieces that weren’t just embodied by fully paved dials or bracelets, the maison set out to design something with a timeless yet contemporary style that even men with smaller wrists might choose.

For the stylish woman after a more complicated watch, consider the Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Ultra Thin.
For the stylish woman after a more complicated watch, consider the Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Ultra Thin.

Another exceptional piece in this range is the Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Ultra Thin which answers women’s growing desire for more complicated mechanical timepieces. The 36.5mm timepiece houses the 4.05mm in-house Calibre 1120QP in a slim 8.43mm case that comes in white and pink gold options with matching mother-of-pearl dials.

“There’s been a lot of discussion about gender equality and unisex watches have been part of our offer. We want to offer the best in quality and highest level of complication for both men and women to showcase the strong know-how of Vacheron Constantin,” adds Ferla.

The titanium model of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton.
The titanium model of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton.

The maison also pushed the boundaries with their Overseas collection by adding two new tourbillon novelties with skeleton movements: the Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton and a new interpretation of the Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar. The 42.5mm Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton is powered by the in-house Calibre 2160 and comes in 18k 5N pink gold or titanium, the latter featuring the first fully integrated bracelet in the material.

“The skeleton display is deeply rooted in Vacheron Constantin’s DNA, albeit more in classic than in sport. It shows what outstanding work our watchmakers are able to do and it is in high demand by our clients,” says Ferla. “The two options again offer the best of both worlds. Some clients like to have the weight of the watch on their wrists, so we have the pink gold, but others will love the lightness of the titanium version because it feels like you are wearing nothing.”

Rounding up the year’s novelties is the maison’s tribute to the Vacheron Constantin 222, which remains as relevant today as at its inception 22 years ago. The new Historiques 18K yellow gold version retains much of the elegance of the original sports piece, with a fully integrated gold bracelet, but houses the new Calibre 2455/2 which operates at 4 hertz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and boasts a 40-hour power reserve.

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