Most of us know Vacheron Constantin for its eminence as one of the torchbearers of traditional haute horlogerie. An institute of fine craftsmanship, and a guardian of Genevan watchmaking heritage. Now, we wouldn’t exactly be wrong, but look a little closer and you might gain a deeper perspective on the maison’s true personality.
With a staggering portfolio of watches in every shape and style imaginable, Vacheron Constantin however didn’t reach these enviable heights by following trends or conforming blindly to tradition.
Rather, in all of its watches, there is a palpable sense of timelessness that’s always tinged with a hint of audacity. Just a hint—it could be anything from a special finish on the dial, an unusual style of chamfering on the case, an unexpected choice of colour or material, or an offset detail that challenges the norm.
In the manufacture’s own words, it’s classic with a twist.
Guiding the manufacture since its earliest years, this unique design identity well permeates Vacheron Constantin’s contemporary icons too. Égérie, its 21st century feminine collection, brims with creative energy drawn from the point where haute horlogerie and haute couture intersect.
There is a palpable sense of timelessness that’s always tinged with a hint of audacity.
Here, the “twist” in question manifests in the watch’s off-centred layout which brings to mind soft cascading fabric on an asymmetric gown, such as those hand-sculpted by Chinese-born Paris-based couturier Yiqing Yin, who also happens to front the Égérie in Vacheron Constantin’s ‘One of Not Many’ campaign.
Vacheron Constantin introduced Égérie, a new collection dedicated to women, in 2020, releasing a self-winding date model as well as a very poetic and feminine moon phase model. These pieces featured elegantly guillochéd mother-of-pearl dials evoking the pleated “tapestry” technique favoured by Yin, while its sloping scalloped numerals remind us of fine lace.
This year, the maison followed up with full diamond pavé models for women who really want to pamper their wrists. Unveiled at Watches & Wonders Geneva, the new Égérie also offers a smart quick-change strap system that lets you choose between satin or alligator leather.
But we can’t have a conversation about avant-gardist Vacheron Constantin without talking about its Historique American 1921.
Literally the OG watch with a twisted crown, this cushion-shaped timepiece which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year has been described by some as the ultimate Vacheron Constantin.
Produced for the American market between 1919 and 1921, it embodies the spirit of the Roaring Twenties—a decade of booming prosperity and unbridled excess.
Historiques American 1921 might have started life as a gentleman’s driving watch, but now with a svelte 36.5mm model in the midst, ladies could definitely give it a go.
The watch’s off-centred crown and slender silhouette in white gold coupled with a beautiful smoky red strap far distinguishes it from any other ladies watch today.
At the same time it retains all the signature hallmarks of a trusty Vacheron Constantin. So for all you left-leaning fashion mavens out there, it’s classic with a twist designed for your wrist.
