LA BELLE HAUTE HORLOGERIE* * BEAUTIFUL HIGH WATCHMAKING P 09 — TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE & ARTISTIC CRAFTS P 13 – LES CABINOTIERS P 31 – MÉTIERS D’ART P 43 — ONE OF NOT MANY. P 51 – PATRIMONY P 69 – TRADITIONNELLE P 91 – FIFTYSIX P 103 – OVERSEAS P 121 – MALTE P 131 – HISTORIQUES P 143 – HEURES CRÉATIVES P 147 — THE RESTORATION SERVICE & LES COLLECTIONNEURS P 153 — CALIBRES & COMPLICATIONS 3 ‘‘ DO BETTER IF POSSIBLE, AND THAT IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE. Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin is the world’s oldest Manufacture with uninterrupted activity for over 260 years. Bequeathed to posterity, François Constantin’s words from July 5th 1819 clearly reveal the‘‘ spirit that drives the Maison: “Do better if possible, and that is always possible.” 5 Over the centuries, skilfully combining tradition and innovation, the Maison Vacheron Constantin has nurtured its vocation for La Belle Haute Horlogerie (Beautiful High Watchmaking) by combining technical developments, aesthetic mastery, artistic prowess and human destinies in shaping its vision of time as well as its love of work well done and of manual craftsmanship. A true encyclopaedia of art, science and culture since its creation, Vacheron Constantin has been committed to enhancing the watch, a precious object characterised by technical excellence. Endowed with a rich heritage based on the transmission of Haute Horlogerie, combined with stylistic research undertaken by generations of Master craftsmen, Vacheron Constantin’s creations illustrate the high demands, relentless innovation and aesthetic finesse that have become the signatures of the Maison, like the Maltese cross. Chosen as the emblem of the Manufacture in 1880, the latter echoes the eponymous watch component which was inseparable from movements at the time and ensured watches’ precision and longevity, two values expressing the continuity of Vacheron Constantin watches. Hailed by a clientele of initiated amateurs and connoisseurs, Vacheron Constantin watches reflect the sophistication, exclusivity and sobriety of these wearers and collectors. 7 TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE & ARTISTIC CRAFTS The Vacheron Constantin Manufacture has forged its destiny through a quest for excellence and by highlighting traditional crafts that have been magnified through watchmaking history. To this end, the Manufacture draws on its heritage in order to perpetuate and enrich the know-how acquired in the course of its uninterrupted activity. 9 Guided by this spirit of creativity and innovation, Vacheron Constantin continues to cultivate simplicity and balance as applied to the most complex creations. Today as always, this approach remains the hallmark of artistic mastery. Pure, refined designs are at the very core of the Maison’s stylistic challenges and its historical identity. Promoting the techniques of ancestral decorative arts with unique expertise in associating different crafts – such as gemsetting, engraving, guilloché work and enamelling – is one of the cardinal virtues of the Maison. Thanks to its mastery of watchmaking sciences and techniques, Vacheron Constantin continues to feature both traditional complications and original functions, taking on perpetually renewed challenges. This philosophy enabled the Manufacture, after eight years of development, to create the Reference 57260 watch, the most complicated timepiece in the world. As various complications emerge – from ultra-thin calibres to striking movements – the making of the resulting watches calls for flawless dexterity and tireless concentration. Each of the delicate finishing operations specific to Geneva’s Haute Horlogerie tradition, such as mirror polishing, bevelling, circular graining or Côtes de Genève, is still done by hand at Vacheron Constantin. 11 LES CABINOTIERS Bringing the wildest dreams to life. Since the 18th century, Vacheron Constantin has perpetuated the tradition of the “cabinotiers’’, the name given to the prestigious and cultivated watchmakers who plied their craft in workshops bathed in light, called “cabinets”, located on the top floors of Geneva buildings. The expertise of these accomplished masters was backed by vast scientific knowledge and a curiosity for new ideas, nurtured by the philosophy of the Enlightenment. Their deft hands gave rise to exceptional timepieces of rare technical and aesthetic complexity, inspired by astronomy, science and art. Vacheron Constantin continues to meet these major technical and creative challenges within its Les Cabinotiers department. There, unique creations are crafted, offered to customers and collectors, along with bespoke watches specifically ordered by such connoisseurs. Engineers, designers, watchmakers and Master craftsmen combine their imagination, expertise and passion in bringing this extremely refined watchmaking excellence to life. 13 Les Cabinotiers Reference 57260 Unique piece Manual-winding 18K white gold, Ø 98 mm Double-sided pocket watch, 57 complications 57260/000G-B046 Calibre 3750 15 Les Cabinotiers Mécaniques Sauvages Grande Complication Phoenix Unique piece Manual-winding 18K 5N pink gold, Ø 47 mm Double-sided watch, 15 complications 9700C/003R-B187 Calibre 2755 GC15 17 Les Cabinotiers Mécaniques Sauvages Armillary Tourbillon Snake Unique piece Manual-winding 18K 5N pink gold, Ø 45 mm Double-axis Tourbillon 9810C/000R-B369 Calibre 1990 19 21 Les Cabinotiers Mécaniques Sauvages Grisaille Enamel Horse Unique piece Self-winding 18K 5N pink gold, Ø 40 mm Grisaille Grand Feu enamelled dial 86090/000R-B542 Calibre 2460 SC 23 Les Cabinotiers Mécaniques Sauvages Wild Panda Unique piece Self-winding 18K 5N pink gold, Ø 41 mm Hand-crafted wood marquetry dial 7600C/000R-B451 Calibre 2460 G4 25 Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky Chart Unique piece Manual-winding 18K white gold, Ø 45 mm Set with 121 baguette-cut diamonds (~6.00 ct) Double-sided watch, Super-LumiNova® sky chart 9737C/000G-B480 Calibre 2755 TMRCC 27 Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar Unique piece Manual-winding 18K white gold, Ø 42 mm 6610C/000G-B511 Calibre 1731 QP 5.70 mm thick 29 MÉTIERS D’ART A window on the world. Celebrating decorative techniques applied to watchmaking and jewellery, the watches of which the Métiers d’Art collection is composed derive their inspiration from Art, History and Culture. Beautifully enhanced by the Master craftsmen of the Manufacture, these authentic works of art testify to creativity that is open to the world, as well as to know-how passed down through generations. 31 MÉTIERS D’ART LES AÉROSTIERS Paris 1783 Numbered 5-piece limited edition Self-winding Paris 1784 18K white gold, Ø 40 mm Numbered 5-piece limited edition Plique-à-jour enamelled dial, Self-winding hand-engraved 18K gold applied balloon 18K white gold, Ø 40 mm 7610U/000G-B210 Plique-à-jour enamelled dial, Calibre 2460 G4/1 hand-engraved 18K gold applied balloon 7610U/000G-B243 Calibre 2460 G4/1 Versailles 1783 Numbered 5-piece limited edition 7610U/000G-B244 33 Bordeaux 1784 Numbered 5-piece limited edition 7610U/000G-B246 MÉTIERS D’ART LES AÉROSTIERS Bagnols 1785 Numbered 5-piece limited edition Self-winding 18K white gold, Ø 40 mm Plique-à-jour enamelled dial, hand-engraved 18K gold applied balloon 7610U/000G-B245 Calibre 2460 G4/1 35 MÉTIERS D’ART THE LEGEND OF THE CHINESE ZODIAC Year of the rat 12-piece limited edition Self-winding Year of the rat 950 platinum, Ø 40 mm 12-piece limited edition Hand-engraved and Grand Feu Self-winding enamelled 18K gold dial, hand- 18K 5N pink gold, Ø 40 mm engraved platinum applied animal Hand-engraved and Grand Feu 86073/000P-B521 enamelled 18K gold dial, hand- Calibre 2460 G4 engraved 18K gold applied animal 86073/000R-B520 Calibre 2460 G4 Year of the pig 12-piece limited edition 86073/000P-B429 37 18K gold hand-painted dial (sky) Hand-engraved 22K gold Earth 22K 5N gold stamped Sun Laser & hand-engraved sapphire crystal Constellations - Super-LumiNova® 7600U/000G-B226 MÉTIERS D’ART COPERNICUS CELESTIAL SPHERES 2460 RT Self-winding 18K white gold, Ø 43 mm Self-winding Grand Feu enamelled 22K gold dial 18K white gold, Ø 43 mm Champlevé Grand Feu enamelled 22K gold Earth 22K 5N gold stamped Sun Hand-engraved 18K gold dial and 22K gold Earth 7600U/000G-B212 22K 5N gold stamped Sun Calibre 2460 RT 7600U/000G-B211 Calibre 2460 RT 39 41 CORY RICHARDS Photographer and explorer ONE OF NOT MANY. Within the prestigious setting of Haute Horlogerie, Vacheron Constantin embodies virtuosity. It is a minority in its own community. A Maison of insiders and enlightened enthusiasts, an acknowledged expert in its field, it constantly seeks to excel. To embody this unique spirit and pay tribute to the exceptional character of its clientele and collectors, Vacheron Constantin has chosen to collaborate with talents whose personality and work express openness to the world, along with a spirit of innovation and creation. Visionary and passionate, they are recognised aesthetes in their own field, also reflecting the idea of being ONE OF NOT MANY. These human and artistic encounters follow naturally in the wake of those that have punctuated the history of the Maison. 43 BENJAMIN CLEMENTINE Musical artist 45 ORA ÏTO Creator of shapes 47 JAMES BAY Musician and songwriter 49 PATRIMONY Simplicity in a noisy world. Reflecting a minimalist approach mingling taut lines and curves in a contemporary spirit, the Patrimony collection asserts its personality through slender cases radiating by their elegance and sobriety. 51 PATRIMONY MINUTE REPEATER ULTRA-THIN Manual-winding 18K 5N pink gold, Ø 41 mm 8.1 mm thick 30110/000R-9793