03
December
2020
|
15:25
Europe/Amsterdam

"Les Collectionneurs" in Geneva & Zürich - November 2020

  • "Les Collectionneurs" in Geneva and Zürich, November 2020
  • A representative selection of vintage watches covering the entire 20th century
  • Models “hunted down” by Vacheron Constantin's experts, then restored and delivered with a certificate of authenticity and a two-year guarantee.

 

Geneva, November 2020 - 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 260 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 Style & 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 Maisonaround this same passion, leading to the creation of "Les Collectionneurs": an approach consisting inusing 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 Constantinboutiques 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.


Les Collectionneurs, Vacheron Constantin Geneva & Zürich
Ten exclusive "Les Collectionneurs" vintage timepieces will be available for sale in our boutiques in Switzerland. The pieces from this collection will be available for purchase, come with a 2 year warranty as well as a digital certification of authentication with Blockchain technology. 


Watches Highlight

Triple Calendar Wristwatch, model 4240
Year 1945
Reference 12117 
18K yellow gold complete calendar wristwatch. Two-tone silvered dial, 5 Arabic numerals and 6 cabochon indexes in gold, day and month indication under 12 o'clock in English, date indicated by an external circle in red Arabic numerals, small seconds at 6 o'clock, external minute-circle.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.


Ultra-thin minute Repeater Wristwach, model 4261
Year 1950
Reference 10958
The model 4261 was the first ultra-thin minute repeater produced by Vacheron Constantin. When it was launched in 1943 it was considered as one of the thinnest minute repeaters ever made with less than 3.2mm thinness and less than 40 pieces were produced between 1944-1951, in yellow gold, pink gold and platinum.

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Vacheron Constantin Switzerland 
Place de Longemalle 1 
1204 Geneva