29
June
2021
|
03:00
Europe/Amsterdam

“Les Collectionneurs” in Taipei, from 1st July to 10th August 2021

  • A representative selection of vintage watches covering the entire 20th century;
  • Taipei, from 1st July to 10th August, at Vacheron Constantin Taipei 101 boutique
  • Models “hunted down” by Vacheron Constantin's experts, then restored and delivered with a certificate of authenticity and a two-year guarantee.

 

Taipei, June 2021 - 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 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 Two-tone Gold “Tonneau” Shape Wristwatch (Ref. Inv. 11531) – 1927

Silvered dial, twelve Arabic numerals in gold applied, external railway minute circle enamelled. Gold “Cathedral” type hours and minutes hands.

It was within the framework of structural research that tonneau-shaped, trapezium-shaped, tortoise-shaped wristwatches made their appearance. It represented an obvious way of integrating lugs into a case.​ Straight bars on a circular-shaped case proved to be a hybrid and unattractive solution. Vacheron Constantin borrowed proportions and straight geometric lines from Art Deco in the design of its pieces from late 1920's until the 1940s. At that time, they combined precision, functionality, discretion and ergonomics.​ To consolidate the aesthetic break with conventions, watch cases with flat and/or arched shapes to match the curve of the wrist were introduced in square or rectangular versions.

These watches were stylistic feats that also demonstrated technical watchmaking prowess, since they provided long-awaited proof of success in miniaturizing calibres and understanding the new constraints involved in wrist wear such as shocks, movements, temperature and humidity. A wristwatch could thus be just as accurate as a pocket watch.


18K Yellow Gold Wristwatch (Ref. Inv. 10102) – 1942

Silvered dial with five Roman numerals in gold, black enameled external "railroad" minute-track, small seconds at 6 o'clock and 6 straight baton markers applied

As a purely Genevan brand, Vacheron Constantin shown elegant and refined designs during 1940’s and 1950’s as this reference 4050.

A perfect example with taught lines and elegant dial displaying five classical Roman numerals in yellow gold.The Reference 4050 houses the calibre 453, considered as one of the best designs of this period.

In that case, calibre 12’’ ½ 453 version distinguishes itself with a non-fixed end stone plate, non-fixed escapement wheel end stone plate and a swan’s neck micrometric regulator.


18K Yellow Gold Gentleman’s Wristwatch (Ref. Inv. 12086) – 1973

Silvered sunray satin finished dial with twelve gold markers applied, gold baton type hands with black lacquered highlight.

This fine 7595Q tonneau-shape wristwatch (quite sporty design) houses an early ultra-thin self-winding calibre with date indication. Thanks to its design, this mechanical achievement make this watch considered as an ultra-thin one.

The quest of thinness started at our Maison in the 1950’s. It reached the automatic calibres in 1967 with the first use of the ultra-thin calibre 1120, being only 2.45mm thick. The same calibre was improved the following year by adding the date indication and it became calibre 1121 with 3.05mm thinness.

Watch stamped by the Hallmark of Geneva: proof of fine mastering, finishing and precision.

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Schedule

Vacheron Constantin Taipei 101 Boutique
Date:1 Jul - 10 Aug, 2021
Address: No. 45, Shifu Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City
Tel: +886 (02) 8101 8658

Special Collaboration: Vacheron Constantin x Oak Room
Date: 13 Jul – 24 Jul, 2021
Address: No.10, Lane 42, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City
Tel: +886 (02) 2567 7089

Business days and hours may change depending on circumstances.