Vacheron Constantin
They say that to have a Vacheron Constantin watch is almost the same as having a Rolls – Royce. Why? Because you can absolutely be confident about the quality, it is very prestigious and extremely expensive. This is the company that is among the Big Three in the watchmaking business in Switzerland.
The creation of the company
The creation of the company was first dated to 1785 when the Swiss watchmaker traced the company's foundation to 1785. The company was headed by Abraham Vacheron duging that period. However, later they have traced their history to the year 1755 when they have discovered the Jean – Marc Vacheron's contract.
Jean – Marc Vacheron the founder of the company was born in Geneva and he opened his workshop in 1755. He was 24 years old when he started his business. Being a good businessman he was also a great craftsman and in the year 1770 his company created its first complication watch. Then after nine years Vacheron has created the first engine – turned dials.
From 1785 to 1810 the header of the company was the son of Jean – Mark Vacheron, Abraham. Under his control the company had survived the French Revolution and was able to make more and more masterpieces. Later on, there were many headers of this company and they all made this company prosper.
When Francois Constantin became the partner of Jacques – Barthelemy they began selling their products to other countries especially overseas. The company was renamed to "Vacheroon & Constantin" and its main market was North America.
The history of the name of the company continued and then in 1970 the "&" was deleted from the name of the company and there is only "Vacheron Constantin" nowadays.
The clients and selling
From the very beginning the watches of Jean – Marc Vacheron were popular and expensive. They were popular among French and Italian aristocrats. Then later, when Vacheron began selling in all the main countries of Europe his brand became popular all over Europe.
Among other clients of Vacheron's there was the French imperator Napoleon and his both wives (Josephine and Maria – Louis). They made the name of the company a symbol of richness and quality.
After taking Francois Constanin as a partner the Company continued widening its market and in 1955 it was selling its watches in 110 countries all over the world.
The most important timepieces, records and awards
The firs award that Vacheron Constantin won is that their watch is the most precise. Geneva Observatory has began a contest of the most precise watch in the year 1872. This was the first award won by Vacheron Constantin. There were many more awards after that.
Well, the biggest work of Swiss wathcmaking was the "Kalista". Vacheron Constantin was always creating remarkable timepieces however the "Kalista" is the top one. Kalista is translated from Greek as "The most wonder". Endeed this watch is the most perfect and it is most expensive. This timepiece is recognized to be the most expensive watch on the planet.
When it was created it cost 5 million dollars and it costs even more now. Nowadays its cost is 11 million dollars.
The mechanism of this watch is quite simple: a mechanical movement that is wounded by hand. The main reason it is so expensive are the material it is made of.
Its frame is made from pure gold and it has more than 118 emerald cut diamonds. The "Kalista" has been built by hands of the best masters of the Vacheron Constantin Company. It took them 20 months to build this watch which 6,000 man hours. Isn't that incredible?
The other masterpiece they have created is not that remarkable but it is the thinnest watch in the world. The Patrimony watches are only 5.25 mm thick.
Here are some examples of Patrimony watches that are one of the most remarkable watches. They hold the world record as the thinnest watches in the world. They are called respectively: Patrimony Small Seconds, Patrimony Grand Taille, and Patrimony Chronometer Royal.
The Collections
- Malte
- Overseas
- Patrimony
- Les Historiques
- Les Cabinotiers
- Les Metiers D'Arts
- 1972
- Egerie
The Malte Collection
This collection bears the name of the emblem of the House of Vacheron Constantin which is the Maltese Cross. This collection is one of the main collections – so called pillar collections of the company. It confirms the firm's force and strength. And here are some examples of this collection:
The Overseas Collection
This collection is one of the smallest collections of Vacheron Constantin however it is one of the most beautiful and modern style ones. They look sporty and stylish. To let you see for yourself how beautiful they are here are some models of them:
The Patrimony Collection
The Patrimony Collection is a collection of the thinnest watches in the world. Its style is elegant. The fundamentals of these watches reflect the Vacheron Constantin's founding values. These watches reveal the Vacheron Constantin's expertise and skill.
The Les Historiques Collection
This collection reflects all the traditions of the Company. Every company has a past and all their traditions have been built during two and a half centuries and these watches show the entire fine and the most genuine horological tradition.
The Les Cabinotiers
This collection is filled with history. Back in 1755 the complications were one of the most important parts of thee watch. So Vacheron Constantine (Just Vacheron at that time) has combined the beauty of design and the complications. Complications like perpetual calendar with date, day of the week, month, leap year, and moon phases indications.
The Les Metiers D'Art Collection
This collection is the piece of art made by Vacheron Constantin. It is a quintessential know – how in the world of decorative applied arts. This showed all the master – craftsmanship of vacheron Constantin. See some examples of the the Les Metiers D’Art collection:
