Haute Time Views Vacheron Constantin’s New Unique Pieces at SIHH
One of the big attractions for SIHH was Vacheron Constantin. I was a fan of the pieces I saw there, as I thought they had some very unique items. Speaking to a couple of top dealers for Vacheron Constantin, they were very happy and excited, as they felt they had some special pieces to show there customers when they got back home.
The first line I got to see was called The Patrimony Contemporaine Lady Gold Bracelet, which has a silver-toned dial with a bezel filled with diamonds. The watch is pink gold, with a pink gold bracelet, using the mechanical self-winding calibre 2450 movement that was built in Vacheron Constantin’s workshops.
The other version was basically the same watch, but had two differences. It had a 2460 caliber equipped with an oscillating mass in pink gold. Plus, the watch has diamonds everywhere—almost 800 diamonds to be exact. Diamonds are throughout the watch, and take over the entire dial and bezel, along with outside the bracelet. This watch is one of my favorites I saw today, and is very tasteful, along with making a huge statement.
Then I got to see the Patrimony Traditionnelle High Jewelry Model. This is available in a 35mm case or 40mm case, and features over 16 carats of claw-set baguette cut diamonds. The diamonds are beautifully set onto the case, dial, bezel, lugs and crown of the watch, covering every inch of the case and creating and amazing pattern on the timepiece. This model is a stunning timepiece equipped with the Caliber 1400 mechanical winding movement. The movement, created and developed by Vacheron Constantin is visible through the sapphire-crystal case back and decorated with the utmost detail and care. Hours and minutes are measured on the dial using 18k white gold hands.
The Malte Collection is dedicated to the curves of a woman, with two contemporary reinterpretations of the classic tonneau-shaped ladies’ model. There are two models, one with a silvered sand-blasted dial, and the other with a diamond-paved center dial, both combining traditional watchmaking elegance with the glittering world of fine jewelry. Ten applied baton-shaped and two applied Roman numeral hour-markers complete the dial. The 28.30 x 38.75mm case of 18K white gold features a bezel is set with a row of diamonds, making this a beautifully feminine piece. A 1202 caliber Quartz movement drives this piece, while an 18K white gold ardillon buckle complements either a warm grey satin strap or a blue Mississippiensis alligator leather strap to complete the look.
The Métiers d’Art Florilège collection features three extraordinary models; the White Lily, the Queen, and the China Limodoron. These three models were inspired by Robert John Thornton’s colored engravings called “The Temple of Flora” – published in 1799, they are a stunning example of the botanical illustrations popularized by British aristocrats during the late eighteenth century. The White Lily model comes alive thanks to the finely guilloché pattern which draws light into the enameled dial. The 37mm-diameter case of 18K white gold features a diamond-set bezel, a 4400 caliber movement and a cream-colored shiny Mississippiensis alligator leather strap.
The Queen model features the beautiful Strelitzia Reginae, a flowering plant indigenous to South Africa. The same case and movement feature here, while a burnt orange colored alligator leather strap finishes the look.
Finally, the China Limodoron model features the flamboyant reds and creamy whites of the orchid. Again, the same case and movement feature, while a cherry red colored alligator leather strap finishes the look. Like the flowers they represent, these models will be rare; only 20 pieces of each model in this collection will be produced.
The Patrimony Traditionnelle Lady manual-winding watch is cut from gold and highlighted by a diamond-set bezel. Plus, the strap is alligator gives the watch a beautiful leather band selection.
I did like the new Vacheron Constantin pocket watch. Nothing fancy, but pure classic, as I see a trend of men wearing this with suits and jeans.
Pieces from the ladies 1972 line.
