- A representative selection of vintage watches covering the entire 20th century period.
- Singapore, 7 to 28 February 2022, at Vacheron Constantin boutiques, ION Orchard & Marina Bay Sands
- Models “hunted down” by Vacheron Constantin’s experts, then restored and delivered with a certificate of authenticity and a two-year guarantee.
Singapore, February 2022 – Chosen with patience and talent by the Maison’s heritage department specialists, vintage watches covering the entire 20th century are now part of the aptly named “Les Collectionneurs” collection. The latter continues to evolve over time and is regularly offered for sale to brand aficionados at dedicated events organised in Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world. “Les Collectionneurs” models all come with a certificate of authenticity and a two-year guarantee – an offer unmatched in the watchmaking world.
When vintage is second nature
The notion of vintage is second nature to Vacheron Constantin. It is expressed through a strong attachment to everything relating to its heritage. In more than 267 years of existence, the Maison has accumulated a unique set of archives in the field of time measurement. Engaged in uninterrupted production since its origins, the Manufacture is also able to take care of – and restore if necessary – any watch from its workshops, whatever its age. A closer look at its archives and its private collection of more than 1,500 timepieces offers an excellent insight into this historical depth and the means used to nurture it. From the watchmakers and craftsmen of its restoration workshop to the historians of the Heritage team, the experts at Vacheron Constantin possess all the necessary skills to best serve this vintage watchmaking that now enjoys such an excellent reputation.
“Les Collectionneurs”
Vacheron Constantin quickly felt the need to unite connoisseurs and aficionados of the Maison around this same passion, leading to the creation of Les Collectionneurs: an approach consisting in using the Manufacture’s considerable resources to gather and restore a series of historical Vacheron Constantin pieces, subsequently offered for sale at dedicated events in Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world.
“Les Collectionneurs” represents another facet of Vacheron Constantin,” comments Christian Selmoni, Style & Heritage Director. “The collection perpetuates this precious link between past and present, enabling our clientele of connoisseurs and collectors to acquire restored vintage pieces directly through the Maison, which is a real guarantee. As for the events organised around the world to unveil these pieces, they attract both seasoned collectors and young generations eager to delve more deeply into watchmaking history.”
Watches ready for a new life
The Vacheron Constantin Heritage team works to bring together these vintage watches, whether pocket or wristwatches. The objective is to create a representative range of timepieces offered by Vacheron Constantin over the years. All kinds of channels are used in order to locate them: auction rooms, personal contacts with private individuals – bearing in mind that an expert eye is decisive in the choice of these timepieces, be they simple or striking models, calendars or chronographs… Pocket watches mainly covering the years 1910 to 1930 and wristwatches prior to 1970 – with a preference for the period from 1940 to 1960 – are then subjected to a dual appraisal. First of all, a historical evaluation is undertaken in order to authenticate the piece with reference to the in-house archives, which have been listing cases and movements by serial number for a century and a half. Then comes the technical assessment aimed at determining which interventions may be necessary, from simply cleaning the watch to its restoration – the objective being to preserve these timepieces in a state as close as possible to that of their origins. If necessary, they are restored to working order using period components, of which Vacheron Constantin maintains a large stock, or else reproduced the old-fashioned way and in identical form within the Manufacture. Once the process is complete, each timepiece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a two-year guarantee, the latter being the same as that delivered with all models within the Maison’s standard collections.
Models unveiled at dedicated events
Throughout the year, Vacheron Constantin organises special events or exhibitions of historical models from its private collection in its boutiques. These are all special experiences that give connoisseurs an opportunity to discover this “Les Collectionneurs” collection; and Vacheron Constantin’s experts a chance to share the history related to the “experience” of these models. Thanks to its extremely well documented archives, the Maison can retrace the destiny of these timepieces that have survived through the ages as testimony to their time and to its watchmaking expertise. Rare and doubtless unique for those who cherish them, these Vacheron Constantin watches bearing the patina of age as a badge of honour are thus ready for a new life.
Watches highlight
18K yellow gold wristwatch – 1937
One of the models created for 150th anniversary of Vacheron Constantin which back then, was believed to have been established in 1785. It is only declared decades later that a letter showing that Jean-Marc Vacheron had hired an apprentice in his workshop enabled the brand to date its founding to 1755.
This 18K yellow gold timepiece is fitted with a 11-ligne Lepine-type pocket watch movement: the crown and the second sub dial are on the same axis.
The crown positioned at 12 o’clock confers to the “Jubilee” model a unique character and aesthetics.
18K yellow gold triple calendar wristwatch – 1947
The Reference 4240 has been chosen to be re-designed by the Maison in 2017 within the “Historiques” collection.
Launched in 1942, Reference 4240 became quickly an emblematic model of the Maison thanks to its recognizable “triple godrons” case design and its”claw-shape’ lugs. This model existed in several dial versions (red and blue date scales) and languages (Spanish, French, English, Italian) and with moon-phase indications.
18K yellow gold chronograph wrist watch – 1955
Launched at the end of 1954, this extremely rare chronograph model was only in production for one year: 1955.
The 1950’s model was a decade of elegance and refined designs in watchmaking. The Reference 6026 is a nice example of a pure, clean and balance design from this era. The large case size of 36.5mm fitted with long angular lugs, giving this watch a much more modern feel compared with both Reference 4178 and Reference 4072. It houses the chronograph calibre V492.
Its large diameter and modern appearance makes it particularly collectable. Maybe it is the reason why this model was chosen to inspire 49002 in 1990’s, with rare double tachymetric and telemetric scales on dial.
———————————————————————————
Schedule
VACHERON CONSTANTIN MARINA BAY SANDS BOUTIQUE
Date 7 – 13 February 2022
Hours 11:00AM – 10:00PM Daily
Address Vacheron Constantin Marina Bay Sands boutique
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue #B2M-238 Singapore 018972
VACHERON CONSTANTIN ION ORCHARD BOUTIQUE
Date 15 – 28 February 2022
Hours 10:30 AM – 9.00 PM Daily
Address Vacheron Constantin ION Orchard Boutique
2 Orchard Turn #02-07 Singapore 238801