Watches and Wonders 2022: Vacheron Constantin: A Traditionnelle perpetual calendar ultra-thin and Patrimony self-winding for the contemporary woman
6 min read
In keeping with their 2022 theme, “The Anatomy of Beauty”, Vacheron Constantin has launched two new timepieces for the modern woman at Watches & Wonders 2022: the Traditionnelle perpetual calendar ultra-thin and Patrimony self-winding. The watches cater to every women’s desire for breathtaking pieces that don’t compromise on technique.
In the 18th century, the Manufacture was among the first to introduce ladies’ pocket watches, and, over 200 years on, it continues to create contemporary timepieces that reflect women’s aesthetic desires. Vacheron Constantin has been challenging the idea that a complex woman’s watch is an anomaly. If anything, today’s woman deserves a watch that boasts sophisticated movement and a refined visual appeal. The Patrimony and Traditionelle collections are an example of such a timepiece.
Patrimony self-winding for the elegant and inquisitive woman
The timepiece offers four iterations in white gold and pink gold, in shades of blush pink and deep blue. The precise craftsmanship is evident on the domed, slightly convex dial, which boasts a gradient effect—with the colours going from light to dark, from the centre to the edge of the dial. Gem setting on the bezel or dial enhances the timepiece’s aesthetic and paves the way for the four references of the collection—two for each shade. In one iteration for each timepiece, there are 72 round-cut diamonds on the bezel with 48 18-karat gold “pearls” lining the minute track between the applied gold leafy hour markers. In another, there is a plain gold bezel with 48 round-cut diamonds dotting the minute track between the applied gold hour markers. The watch also has a date disc at six o’ clock.
It’s all in the details
Giving due attention to the finishing, the timepiece has hand-bevelled bridges displaying the “Côtes de Genève” (Hallmark of Geneva) motif. With levelled springs and a going train with polished sinks and burnished pinions, the Patrimony self-winding watch has been designed to suit a woman’s sensible design preferences. Through the transparent case back, the wearer can view the 22-karat gold openworked rotor inspired by the Maltese cross. Powered by calibre 2450 Q6/3, the watch features a 40-hour power reserve and 196 carefully-placed components. There are interchangeable straps in night blue or rosy beige satin-finished alligator leather. These are conveniently removed and replaced thanks to the push button on the strap.
Traditionnelle perpetual calendar ultra-thin honouring Vacheron’s 1950s legacy
The timepiece is powered by calibre 1120 QP, boasting a very slim movement of just 4.05 mm thickness. This is elevated by the thin case size (read: 8.4 mm thickness) and a large diameter of 36.5 mm diameter. These ideal proportions enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the timepiece, while also carrying forth Vacheron Constantin’s legacy of producing ultra-thin watches. Since the 1950s, the Maison has set several records for slimness of movement, and the timepiece reflects that legacy.
The collection comprises two gem-set versions in white gold with a blue-grey tinted mother-of-pearl dial and pink gold with a white mother-of-pearl dial. Inspired by the Maison’s pieces from the first half of the last century, these watches are understated with a few distinctive aspects.
Gregorian calendar-inspired dial
The dial displays days, dates, months and years on a four-year cycle, and it includes the leap year indication that won’t require correcting till 2100. At six o’ clock, you will find the moon phase indication bearing a dazzling opaline finish. The calendar indications are clear and easy to read, thanks to the slimmed down bezel dotted with round-cut diamonds enhancing the size of the dial. Dauphine-style hands trace the railway minutes track on the dial with baton-type hour-markers.
Painstaking finishing rounds up the timepiece
A “Côtes de Genève” motif is engraved on the back of the timepiece’s mainplate and bridges. Meticulous detailing takes centre stage in the form of a going train with polished train, hand-bevelling and more. The 22-karat gold segment rotor bears the same motif and is openworked in the shape of the Maison’s Maltese Cross emblem. The wearer can view the 276 components of the watch through the sapphire crystal caseback.
Additionally, for the first time in this collection, Vacheron Constantin is offering interchangeable straps in grey blue and rose beige alligator leather that can be removed and replaced using a push button.
While creating timepieces that are complex and refined, the Maison promises accuracy, efficiency and allure to match the contemporary woman’s style sensibilities.
