Vacheron Constantin - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Vacheron Constantin, founded in 1755 in Geneva, is the oldest watch manufacture in the world with uninterrupted production. Since its creation, the house has been able to combine tradition and innovation, producing watches of exceptional quality. Vacheron Constantin is recognized for its watchmaking know-how but also in all artisan craftsmanship enabling watchmaking precision to be sublimated.

History of the Vacheron Constantin brand

In 1755, Jean-Marc Vacheron, a Geneva watchmaker, founded his workshop. He created complicated watches, integrating mechanisms such as the calendar and minute repeater. In 1770, he designed the house's first complicated watch. In 1810, Jacques-Barthélemy Vacheron, grandson of the founder, took over the management of the company and sought to extend the brand's presence beyond Swiss borders.

Association with François Constantin: 1819-1880

In 1819, Jacques-Barthélemy Vacheron joined forces with François Constantin, an experienced businessman. This collaboration gave birth to the company Vacheron & Constantin. François Constantin, during his travels, wrote the house motto in 1819: “Do better if possible, which is always possible”, reflecting the brand's ongoing commitment to excellence. In 1839, Vacheron & Constantin hired Georges-Auguste Leschot, a talented engineer who revolutionized watch production by introducing machines capable of standardizing watch components. His invention of the pantograph made it possible to reproduce parts with unprecedented precision, paving the way for high-quality mass production. This technical advance earned Leschot a gold medal from the Société des Arts de Genève in 1844. In 1880, the house adopted the symbol of the Maltese cross as its logo, inspired by a component of the winding mechanism limiting the tension of the mainspring.

International recognition: 1880-1960

At the beginning of the 20th century, Vacheron & Constantin continued to innovate by presenting increasingly sophisticated watches with complications. In 1906, the house opened its first boutique in Geneva, strengthening its local and international presence. In 1929, she created a pocket watch for King Fouad I of Egypt, incorporating 14 complications, testifying to her exceptional expertise. In 1955, to celebrate its bicentenary, the house presented the caliber 1003, the thinnest mechanical hand-wound movement in the world at the time, measuring just 1.64 mm thick.

The 1960s: Innovations and Expansion

In the 1960s, Vacheron Constantin continued to innovate in terms of design and technology. In 1965, Georges Ketterer, from the Jaeger-LeCoultre group, bought the majority of the shares of Vacheron & Constantin, thus restoring complete independence to the company. This period is marked by the creation of emblematic watches, notably ultra-thin models which demonstrate the exceptional know-how of the manufacture. In 1968, the brand launched the ultra-thin automatic wristwatch, equipped with caliber 1120, a movement which attracted the attention of specialists and collectors.

The 1970s: Quartz Crisis and Adaptation

The 1970s were marked by the quartz crisis, a period when the Swiss watch industry faced competition from cheaper and more precise Japanese quartz watches. Vacheron Constantin, like many other watchmaking houses, must adapt to this new reality. In 1970, the company officially changed its name to Vacheron Constantin. In 1972, the brand received the “Prestige Diploma of France”, recognition of its excellence and know-how. In 1977, Vacheron Constantin launched the “222” model, a sporty steel watch with integrated bracelet, precursor to the Overseas collection.

1980s: Ownership Changes and Renewal

In 1987, after the death of Jacques Ketterer, Vacheron Constantin changed hands. Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani, former Saudi Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources and avid watch collector, becomes the company's majority shareholder. This period is marked by a desire to preserve the brand's heritage while adapting to market developments.

1990s: Integration into the Richemont Group

In 1996, Vacheron Constantin joined the Swiss Richemont group, a conglomerate of luxury brands. This integration allows the manufacture to benefit from increased resources to strengthen its position in the luxury market. In 1998, Vacheron Constantin inaugurates the Vacheron Constantin Ateliers in the Vallée de Joux, thus reinforcing its commitment to watchmaking excellence.

2000s: Tradition and Innovation

At the start of the 21st century, Vacheron Constantin continued its quest for excellence by combining tradition and innovation. In 2004, the factory moved to its international headquarters in Plan-les-Ouates, thus uniting production, research and development activities under one roof. In 2005, to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the house unveiled the "Tour de l'Île", a pocket watch incorporating 16 complications, including the tourbillon, perpetual calendar and minute repeater. This exceptional piece illustrates the unparalleled know-how of the manufacture.

Since the 2000s, Vacheron Constantin has enriched its catalog with emblematic collections and models, combining watchmaking tradition and technical innovation. Here is an overview of the main collections and models introduced during this period:

Vacheron Constantin Overseas

Launched in 1996, the Overseas collection was revisited in 2004 and 2016 to meet the expectations of lovers of elegant sports watches. These models are distinguished by their robustness, their waterproofness and their sleek design. However, this collection finds its roots in the reference 222, designed by Jorg Hysek, in the purest style Sport-Chic watches with integrated bracelet like the Patek Philippe Nautilus or the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony

Inspired by designs from the 1950s, the Patrimony collection embodies timeless elegance and minimalism. Note the Automatic Heritage Featuring a refined design, this watch offers a clear reading of the time, reflecting the traditional know-how of the house. Their Patrimony Moon Phase and Retrograde Date offers the display of the phases of the moon with a retrograde date, illustrating the historical mastery of watchmaking complications by Vacheron Constantin.

Vacheron Constantin Historical Collection

Vacheron Constantin revisits its iconic models of the past with this collection, adapting them to contemporary standards. One of the best known is the American 1921 : Inspired by a model from the 1920s, this watch is distinguished by its offset dial and bold design. There Vacheron Constantin Cornes de Vache 1955 is a reinterpretation of a chronograph from the 1950s, this model is recognizable by its handles in the shape of cow horns.

Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix

Introduced in 2018, the Fiftysix collection is inspired by a 1956 model, combining vintage and modernity. There Fiftysix Automatic offers a retro aesthetic with modern functionality, ideal for everyday use. The model to Complete Calendar meanwhile, displaying the day, date, month and phases of the moon, for a model combining elegance and practicality.

Vacheron Constantin: The oldest watch Manufacture in the world

The brand Vacheron Constantin is owned by the Richemont Group in the same way as IWC or Jaeger-LeCoultre. It produces around 30,000 watches per year, all models combined. To choose a Vacheron Constantin that best suits you, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.

(Updated November 2024)