Vacheron Constantin: Stars of excellence shining in the fine watchmaking sky

Patrimony moon phase and retrograde date
Case : pink or white gold

Diameter: 42.5mm

Movement : mechanical self-winding, Caliber 2460 R31L, 40h power reserve, Hallmark of Geneva

Functions : hours, minutes, retrograde date, precision moon phase, age of the moon

Dial : opaline silver-toned
Caseback : sapphire crystal STRAP : black alligator Mississipiensis leather
Water resistance : 30m

Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar
Case : 950 platinum
Diameter : 43mm
Movement : mechanical manual-winding, Caliber 1142QP, 48h power reserve, Hallmark of Geneva
Functions : hours, minutes, small seconds, perpetual calendar (day of the week, date, month, leap year, moon phase), chronograph with olumn wheel
Dial : opaline slate gray, white gold moon disk
Caseback : sapphire crystal
Strap : black alligator Mississipiensis leather
Water resistance : 30m

What if it were time to take the high road ? To look skywards to the infinitely large expanses of space, where stars vie with the radiance of the moon, where the origins and the measurement of time have their source. Watchmakers have consistently drawn inspiration from the vast universe and its fascinating mysteries, from planetary cycles and the incredible interaction of the heavenly bodies, in order to transpose the science of astronomy into infinitely small watches. Watchmaking thus acts as a mirror of the universe, reproducing the magic of time. The equation of time, moon phases, perpetual calendar and annual calendar are all mechanical complications based on celestial movements. A technical and incredibly fascinating world that Vacheron Constantin has been consistently exploring since its founding in 1755.

For the Geneva watchmaking Maison, the year 2017 is resolutely placed under the benevolent sign of the heavenly bodies, with a galaxy of models combining technical sophistication with marvelous aestheticism, fresh heights of mechanical and the poetry of time. Vacheron Constantin has thus provided an incredible glimpse of its virtuosity with the one-of-akind Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600 model and its 23 essentially astronomical complications. The mastery of the in-house watchmakers has also been illustrated through the series of three Métiers d’Art Copernicus Celestial Spheres 2460 RT models paying tribute to Nicolas Copernicus and to the history of the great astronomical discoveries, through poetic dials imbued with the beauty of artistic crafts.

Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual CalendarIn keeping with the tradition of excellence characterizing its creations for more than 260 years, Vacheron Constantin is also revisiting one of its iconic models, the Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar. Framed by an elegant platinum case, two complications are displayed in an eminently legible manner. The moon phase disk in 22K white gold is handfinished in keeping with the finest tradition of artistic crafts cultivated by Vacheron Constanstin. Positioned at the center of the dark grayrimmed date display, it features a symbolic depiction of an alternately smiling or melancholy moon – depending on the evolution of the Earth’s satellite – representing a nod to vintage pocket watches. This accomplished aesthetic approach is matched by technical evolution in the shape of Caliber 1142 QP. This state-of-theart movement entirely designed and developed within the Manufacture powers the perpetual calendar function with indications of the date, day, month, leap-year cycle and moon phases, along with the chronograph function featuring a central seconds hand and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, facing the small seconds display at 9 o’clock. This mechanical gem bearing the Hallmark of Geneva will be able to cope with all the vagaries of the Gregorian calendar without any need for correction until March 1st 2100.

Patrimony Perpetual CalendarIn the Patrimony collection, whose elegant and slender lines are constantly reinvented through varying seasons and horological complications, technical sophistication once again takes center stage. But this time it appears enhanced with an original aesthetic touch in a pink gold interpretation of the Patrimony Perpetual Calendar. Behind the scenes of this great watchmaking classic beats Caliber 1120 QP, developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin. Acknowledged by connoisseurs as one of the most emblematic perpetual calendar models on the market, it provides indications of the hours, minutes, moon phases at 6 o’clock, as well as the perpetual calendar with the day of the week appearing in a counter at 9 o’clock, the date in a 3 o’clock counter, and a 48-month counter with leap-year indication at 12 o’clock. It will also be able to cope with all the vagaries of the calendar without any need for correction until March 1st 2100. Beneath the dial, the moon disk is graced with an 18K gold sky chart enhanced with a blue galvanic treatment. Each star has been delicately fashioned so as to exactly depict the night sky. A subtle and poetic vision honoring the origins of time.

Imbued with the same sense of poetry, the Patrimony moon phase and retrograde date also extends an invitation to look skywards. Its dial indicates the cycle and age of the moon, requiring no correction for a comfortable 122 years. Vacheron Constantin associates this elegant complication with a retrograde date indication running across a scale graduated from 1 to 31 around the upper rim of the dial. Equipped with a new in-house caliber, this precious watch available in white or pink gold bears the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. The latter is a token of excellence for Vacheron Constantin, which – in the name of Fine Watchmaking values along with its passion for excellence – tirelessly continues reaching for the moon.

Patrimony Perpetual Calendar
Case : pink gold
Diameter : 41mm
Movement : mechanical self-winding, Caliber 1120 QP, 40h power reserve, Hallmark of Geneva
Functions : hours, minutes, perpetual calendar (day of the week, date, 48-month counter with leap-year indication), moon phase
Dial : opaline slate gray
Caseback : sapphire crystal
Strap : black alligator Mississipiensis leather
Water resistance : 30m

Malte Moon Phase and Power Reserve
Case : pink gold
Diameter : 36.70 x 48.10mm
Movement : mechanical manual-winding, Caliber 1410, 40h power reserve, Hallmark of Geneva
Functions : hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve, precision moon phase,
dial : sandblasted silvertoned
Caseback : sapphire crystal
Strap : brown alligator Mississipiensis leather
Water resistance : 30m

Malte Moon Phase and Power ReserveFrom the airy geometry of the Malte line to the sporting temperament of the Overseas, Vacheron Constantin continues taking the high road by offering devotees of Fine Watchmaking a journey into the heart of complications inspired by astronomy. A fascinating blend of purity and sophistication, the new Malte Moon Phase and Power Reserve model flaunts the bold personality and elegant style of creations from the eponymous collection. This refined watch, bearing the Hallmark of Geneva, features a tonneau-shaped pink gold case measuring 36.7 x 48.1mm. This model beats to the rhythm of manual-winding Caliber 1410, entirely developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin. Overseas ultra-thin perpetual calendarEquipped with a highprecision gear train, the moon-phase mechanism – also referred to as an “astronomical moon” – requires just one correction every 122 years. In a sportier vein corresponding to the needs of inveterate travelers, Vacheron Constantin brings the complexity of astronomy to the heart of the Overseas ultra-thin perpetual calendar. This Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece, available exclusively in Vacheron Constantin Boutiques, houses the iconic Vacheron Constantin Caliber 1120 QP, an ultra-thin mechanical self-winding movement featuring a perpetual calendar with a moon-phase display. This function calls for impressive feats of miniaturization in order to cope with the irregular nature of the calendar with no need for correction until 2100, and accommodating its 276 components within a space barely 4.05mm thick. This technical performance is equaled only by the dynamic elegance of the 41.5mm case in 18K white gold, framing a gray dial punctuated by subtle blue accents.

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Brice Lechevalier is editor-in-chief of GMT and Skippers, which he co-founded in 2000 and 2001 respectively. He has also been CEO of WorldTempus since it joined the GMT Publishing stable, of which he is director and joint shareholder. In 2012 he created the Geneva Watch Tour, and he has been an advisor to the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève since 2011. Also closely involved in sailing, he has published the magazine of the Société Nautique de Genève since 2003, and was one of the founders of the SUI Sailing Awards in 2009 and the Concours d’Elégance for motor boats at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2015.

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