As the oldest watchmaker that has been in continuous operation in the world, Vacheron Constantin holds an eminent position in the realm of haute horlogerie. To be frank, when a watchmaker ascends to such heights of excellence, it no longer needs to adhere to short-lived trends or resort to artifice to draw attention. Standing firmly by its identity and maintaining its superlative quality are more than sufficient to earn the admiring gaze of its watchmaking peers. Read on as we discover the best Vacheron Constantin watches every collector needs to get their hands on, today.
Vacheron Constantin has a wealth of designs that cater to the diverse preferences of watch enthusiasts today. Whether it’s daily wear for a glamorous evening gala or as part of trendy athleisure, fine watchmaking adds sophistication to your style and ensures you rise above the crowd. From the fluid and elegant minimalism of the Traditionnelle collection to the effortlessly stylish and sporty Overseas, there’s something to satisfy the desires of collectors of all genders and styles.
Best Vacheron Constantin watches to add to your collection
#1 : OVERSEAS SELF-WINDING
The bezel of the Overseas collection, inspired by the brand’s iconic Maltese cross, sets it apart from other luxury sports watches. The Overseas is a sports-chic model that remembers its roots. Like a gentleman on the green, who maintains his composure during a challenging game, the watch exudes an air of elegance.
The latest Overseas Self-Winding model is available in a royal blue or gentle pink dial, set with 84 diamonds on the bezel. A little-known fact about the Overseas: a second row of diamonds is added on the notches of the bezel which follows the form of the Maltese cross. To ensure the size and carat of the diamonds are the same, Vacheron Constantin enlarged the bezel slightly to accommodate them, set in a prong setting.
#2: OVERSEAS CHRONOGRAPH
The “panda” or black-and-white chronograph display is a much beloved design among watch collectors. This year, the Overseas inducts a new chronograph model featuring this particular dial execution.
There are three snailed black counters set against a sunray-brushed silver dial, encircled by a velvety, black minute track on the flange. The distinct colours offer superb legibility on the dial. The hands and hour indexes are crafted from white gold. Super-LumiNova is applied on the hour and minute hands as well as the hour markers, with needle hands for the small seconds and chronograph totalisers.
The watch is equipped with the self-winding, in-house manufactured Calibre 5200 with a 22K gold rotor. A compass rose motif is stamped on the rotor, symbolising the spirit of travel and exploration the Overseas exemplifies. Strap options for the watch include a three-link, half-Maltese cross bracelet as well as alternatives in calf leather or a black Elasto NBR strap, all fitted with interchangeable lugs for convenience.
#3: PATRIMONY RETROGRADE DAY-DATE
The day-date complication is most often displayed using windows. However, in the style of the Patrimony, this watch uses two retrograde hands to display the date on the upper half, and the day of the week on the lower half of the dial. The unconventional dial arrangement gives the watch a certain gravitas and sophistication. In fact, the retrograde display is an icon of Vacheron Constantin, used in its watches since the 1920s. This is a complication that is appreciated by watch aficionados deeply familiar with the brand’s history.
The watch case is in 950 platinum with a rose gold or salmon dial colour, giving it a vintage flavour. This watch is produced in only limited numbers each year and available exclusively at Vacheron Constantin boutiques.
#4: TRADITIONNELLE TOURBILLON
Sharply-faceted dauphine hands housed in a stepped gold case with a mirror finish. On the dial, applied “bâton de Genève” hour markers are positioned along the chemin de fer minute track. The slim bezel and debossed caseback are all defining characteristics of the Traditionnelle collection. What makes this Traditionnelle Tourbillon reference stand out is the shade of olive green the dial possesses, emanating the calm of the forest without being gloomy.
At 6 o’clock, a large cut-out reveals a generously-sized tourbillon. The tourbillon carriage is fashioned in the shape of a skeletonised Maltese cross, one of the most recognisable features of Vacheron Constantin tourbillons. The black oxidised screw on the carriage acts as a small seconds indicator, allowing you to read off the seconds.
The balance of the in-house Calibre 2160 tourbillon movement paces steadily at 2.5Hz – a total of 18,000 vibrations per hour. It runs more slowly than other modern movements, but this steady and unrushed rhythm enables one to admire the balance’s oscillation as the tourbillon carriage rotates even better.
#5: ÉGÉRIE CREATIVE EDITION
The Égérie collection is dedicated to ladies and takes its inspiration from haute couture. Embracing artisanal values of fine craftsmanship, every component of each timepiece is painstakingly hand-crafted and perfected, placing it on a par with haute couture in every way. The haute horlogerie pieces in the collection feature rare handcrafts rather than technical complications, with elaborate work on each dial, from tapisserie and engraving to gemsetting and enamelling.
This particular model features a skeletonised and hand-engraved dial in the style of Burano lace, which originates in Venice. In using a combination of skeletonisation, engraving and gemsetting, Vacheron Constantin artisans are able to mimic the look of hand-woven Burano lace with its pearl-like sheen and intricate patterns. The dial’s tapisserie motif is carved by an expert in guilloché à main (rose engine engraving), followed by grand feu enamelling in a deep black, exactly like the pleats on a couture fabric. The delicate floral patterns of the dial are outlined in white gold, as fine as spun lace, and hand-carved by a master jeweller to set each diamond in place. The moonphase window features a plique-à-jour enamel cloud that is merely 0.27mm thick, with mother-of-pearl stars and the Moon.
#6: ÉGÉRIE MOON PHASE
At just 37mm in diameter, this watch with a moonphase complication suits every wrist. Housed in 18K 5N rose gold, the lavish watch features 845 brilliant-cut diamonds that are set all over the case, lugs, dial and the inner bezel which acts as the minute track.
The moonphase display of the Égérie collection is positioned between 1 and 2 o’clock, rather than the bottom of the dial, enhancing its prominence. Two mother-of- pearl moons reveal the waxing and waning of the moon as they appear and hide under a layer of translucent sapphire crystal on a midnight blue background decorated with stars. This exquisite complication embellishes the bejewelled timepiece with a poetic beauty.
The watch comes with two easily interchangeable straps in alligator leather or satin fabric, to perfectly complement your wardrobe for any occasion.
#7: PATRIMONY SELF-WINDING
The 1950s saw a mélange of design philosophies flourish, but also gave birth to a minimalist, mid-century modernism. The Patrimony collection inherited this aspect of the Vacheron Constantin genetics. This watch features 72 round diamonds on the bezel – a simple yet glamorous touch. The dial is in a gradient shade of ultramarine with applied white gold bar and narrow triangular indexes at the quarters, matched with white gold beads for the minute track. With a compact date window at 6 o’clock, this watch offers a purity in design that does away with the unnecessary and focuses on the essential.
Discover more from Vacheron Constantin here.
Art Direction: ING
Photography: CHING/GREEN PLASTIC SOLDIERS
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