Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin is one of the world’s longest running Swiss watch manufacturers. The company has been in operation since 1755. The firm’s founder, Jean-Marc Vacheron was a forward thinking innovator and close friend of Enlightenment French philosophers Rousseau and Voltaire. In 1770 he created the world’s first horological complication and nine years later released the first engine turned dial.

In 1785 Jean-Marc’s son, Abraham took over the family business and continued to run it successfully during the turbulence of the French Revolution rippling through Europe and the occupation of Geneva by the French Directory. He also oversaw the initial export of Vacheron watches to France and Italy. Upon his retirement in 1810, Abraham’s son Jacques Barthelemi Vacheron took on the mantle of the family firm.

In 1869 Jacques Barthelemi went into partnership with the businessman, Francois Constantin. The firm was renamed, ‘Vacheron et Constantin’ in honour of its new joint owners. The brand’s signature ‘Maltase cross’ emblem was adopted from the design of a movement component mounted on the barrel cover of a pocket watch to secure a constant force upon the spring. This detail ensured a more precise operation and high level of accuracy. The cross thus embodied the firm’s quest for precision.

In 1996 Vacheron Constantin joined the Richemont Group as a subsidiary.

In 2005, the auction of a Vacheron Constantin pocket watch (no. 402833)  became one of the world’s most expensive watches, going under the hammer for $2.77million. The record breaking watch was made in 1929 and had the prestigious provenance of once belonging to King Faud I of Egypt. The firm has maintained a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship to this day.

Style/Major Collections

In 1906 Vacheron Constantin were awarded the Grand Prix for their collection of fine timepieces displayed at the Milan International Exhibition. In the same  year the firm expanded from its home in Switzerland, to open a luxury boutique in Paris. Top clients included Queen Mary of Romania, Prince Napoleon (Jerome Bonaparte’s grandson) and American author Henry James. Sir Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala, was also a prolific patron of the swiss luxury watchmakers. In 1916 he bought ‘Le Tuyan’ (The Pipe), an exceptional gold and platinum watch studded with diamonds. The oblong movement was a revolutionary feature and forerunner to the baguette movement later designed by Vacheron Constantin.

During the post war period, Vacheron Constantin established themselves as pioneers in modern watches. Their wrist watches were becoming increasingly popular in the United States as emblems of modernism. Today Vacheron Constantin watches are eponymous with European luxury and style. Their sleek contemporary collection ‘Patrimony’, is inspired by the minimalism of 19th century watches, favouring leather straps and simple numberless dials that keep time perfectly, but are timeless in their style and enduring appeal.