Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin is the oldest watchmaker in the world with over 250 years of uninterrupted history. Their manufacturing plant, designed by Swiss born French architect Bernard Tschumi, is located in the prestigious Plan-les-Ouates neighbourhood of Geneva, home to many of the finest watch & jewellery brands, surrounded by breathtaking views, close to Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps.

Among other crafts, such as enamelling, Vacheron Constantin are a specialist in the most complicated of movements; perpetual calendars, tourbillons and minute repeaters (not to be attempted by the faint hearted I can assure you!) using craftsmanship passed on throughout these two and a half centuries enabling them to produce beautiful timepieces of the highest standard.

A perfect example of their proficiency can be seen in the special 250th anniversary model, the Tour de l’Ile. The most intricate watch ever produced with a double face and 16 separate complications and astronomical dials. Its exceptional calibre of 834 components involved Vacheron Constantin’s designers, engineers, constructors and watchmakers in more than 10,000 hours of research and development. It bears the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva and only seven of these timepieces were produced.

The first piece, which sold at auction for 1.9 million Swiss francs, still holds the record for the most expensive mechanical contemporary timepiece ever sold.

Their story began in the middle of the 18th century in the city of Geneva: a young man called Jean-Marc Vacheron decided to create his own company and hire his first apprentice. This exceptional craftsman founded a business that was to become, two and a half centuries later, one of the most renowned in the science of time. In 1810 the grandson of Jean-Marc Vacheron, Jaques-Barthelemy, took charge of the family business and later in 1819 begAACan his partnership with the talented salesman Francois Constantin and they renamed the company Vacheron et Constantin.

A history in travel
Much of Vacheron Constantin’s history is routed in travel and as soon as Francois Constantin joined the company he began making trips as far a field as Asia and America in the early 19th century. This contributed to the extraordinary international development of the company, which now boasts 16 boutiques based throughout Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Including of course, their native Geneva where the original boutique has stood since 1906 at 7 Quai de l’Ile.

The history of the brand is invaluable and is incorporated in more ways than one, when considering the introduction of a new line to their existing range. The existing collection includes two main lines, Patrimony and Malte.

Timeless timepieces
Classic design is the Patrimony Collection’s essence, its fundamentals clearly reflecting Vacheron Constantin’s founding values. Beating mechanical rhythms both simple and highly sophisticated, its timepieces also express the brand’s contemporary elegance. Every Patrimony model provides an absolute demonstration of Vacheron Constantin’s unique skills and expertise.

However it is their new collection, which is to be launched worldwide in December and was previewed at this year’s SIHH in Geneva (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie), that has captured the industry’s interest – Quai de l’Ile.

For those who have been paying attention you will see that the name of the collection is taken from the address of the original Vacheron Constantin boutique in Geneva, Quai de l’Ile, literally translating this it means Quay of the Island.

Even though the look of this watch is modern in appearance, the name reminds you that the traditional techniques of Vacheron Constantin are incorporated in this timepiece despite its stunningly technical appearance.

The case of the watch itself is completely unique. It is cushion shaped (between tonneau and round) and made of 7 parts, most watch cases are made of only 2 or 3. It is the 7 part design that gives one of the many exciting aspects for this timepiece – it can be customised. If you are a watch enthusiast you will understand that this is not something offered at every jewellers on Bond Street, this is a rare opportunity which Vacheron Constantin are proud to offer.

The collection will be launched in only 100 retailers worldwide. This includes just two showrooms in the UK, Wempe Jewellers on Bond Street and Theo Fennell at Harrods. Both of these showrooms will be equipped with a touch screen PC that allows the client to create his own watch. The client can choose from three metals (Palladium, Pink Gold and Titanium), two dials and two finishes and two straps in Alligator leather and rubber (one for spare). Once he has made his final selection the order will be directly transferred to the Vacheron Constantin manufacture in Geneva (the unique case allows for a number of combinations, there are close to 400 possibilities available for the launch). From this point on it will take approximately 2-3 months for the watch to be produced and delivered.

The second exciting aspect of this new line are the new technologies Vacheron Constantin has incorporated. The innovative transparent dial, which reveals the beauty of the Vacheron Constantin calibres has four patents pending, and is the heart of this amazing collection.

It is a result of collaboration between two industries, high watch making (Vacheron Constantin) and anti-counterfeiting security printing. Namely Orell Fuessli, the company currently producing the Swiss bank notes and Mr Roger Pfund, an internationally renowned Swiss designer who, among other things, has produced the graphics for many bank notes, both Swiss and foreign. He has also designed the present Swiss passport.

Some of the most secret anti-counterfeiting technologies have been employed to produce the ‘safest’ dials ever conceived using graphics loyal to the character of Vacheron Constantin. The dial is comprised of two main elements, a sapphire crystal and a transparent film which utilises techniques including micro-printing, security inks, UV marking using invisible ink and secret texts. The result is semi-transparent layers allowing controlled visibility of the beautiful movement inside.

Individually styled
If all this weren’t enough, each watch is accompanied by its very own individual passport. But, don’t attempt to have this one stamped at customs. The Vacheron Constantin passport for the Quai de l’Ile watch has been subject to the same strict security printing and procedures as a real passport. The purpose of this document however is to hold the guarantee, identity file (unique reference, case and movement number), certificate of authenticity, service card and Hallmark of Geneva certificate (the highest accolade available to a Geneva based watch manufacturer, strict criteria must be adhered to). Along with the passport the client will find a USB key containing vital information on the watch and the brand, various tools and the second strap in either Alligator leather or rubber.

Simply inspired
Vacheron Constantin has created a watch collection beyond our imaginations. The possibility of personalisation of the watch and to offer an ever more exclusive product to their clients is truly remarkable. The transparency of the dial is inspired, created from a motivation to allow their clients to take advantage of the inner beauty of the product: the movements and the exceptional level of finishing. Finally the security printing technologies allowed Vacheron Constantin to add anti-counterfeiting protection to the Quai de l’Ile watch – even though they are not really exposed to counterfeiting, it is reassuring to know that you hold genuine Vacheron Constantin watch, a unique work of art.

Useful information
Stockists Information Telephone: 020 7312 6830
Website: www.vacheron-constantin.com