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Epitome of Class
In the 18th century, platinum’s rarity made King Louis XV of
France declare it the only metal fit for a king. Wedding rings,
earrings or necklaces made of gold do not carry the prestige they
once did, platinum is the most desired metal for jewelry. However,
t his fall, platinum, the metal of royalty, is not just for jewelry anymore. Plati-
num, more precious than gold and more exclusive because of its rarity, is not
o ften found in the luxury timepiece market. Platinum is incredibly difficult
t o masterin watchmaking, becauseofitspurity. Vacheron Constantin,
t he world”s oldest continuous watchmaker, has mastered its use, and is a
l eader creating the most coveted Platinum timepieces.
For 252 years, Vacheron Constantin has created timeless watches
that are stylish, chic and technologically superior. They recently
introduced a Platinum Excellence Collection which featured a world
first—the only solid platinum watch dial ever made—a truly amazing
feat. The uniqueness of these watches has made them sought after by
w atchcollectors, connoisseurs, and Hollywood elite. Vacheron Constantinhas
u pdatedtheclassicPatrimonylinebyintroducingaPlatinumSkeletonwatch
w ithPerpetualCalendar.Notonlyisitgorgeousinplatinum,buteverylast
d etail is visible, including all the complicated movements. Vacheron Con-
stantinisknownthroughoutthe world forcreating themost spectacular
skeletons and this watch is no exception. The sophistication of its execu-
t ion has created a new benchmark in the world of skeleton watches.✠
Métiers d’Art “Les Masques” Collection
Two years ago, in 2005, Vacheron Constantin celebrated 250 years of uninterrupted history. This jubilee event, unique in
the annals of watchmaking history, was a perfect opportunity for the Geneva-based manufacture to demonstrate its mastery of horological art with exploits that rede ned the limits of what is possible. Having proudly turned to its past, Vacheron
Constantin continued its steady march towards the future, in an ongoing quest for the extraordinary. To create, astound and
enchant, these are the challenges for the years to come.
Watchmaking is an art requiring fresh starts and continual improvement. How else can one go on creating surprises?
Thanks in particular to one of its founders, François Constantin, the manufacture’s name and reputation are synonymous
with distant horizons. An accomplished ambassador and tireless traveller, he crisscrossed the world in the hazardous conditions of the times to spread the company’s watchmaking expertise on other continents. By 1820, he was already exploring
opportunities in China and, in 1833, the rst Vacheron & Constantin watches were crossing the Atlantic. The company had
realized very early on the necessity of gaining a foothold in the New World and opened a subsidiary in New York before
going on to open other markets: in Brazil in 1840, and India ten years later.
Can a timepiece serve as a cultural bridge between nations? Both the company’s founders believed so. In 2007, the
manufacture felt the need to go back to basics, paying homage to man when he verges on the sublime. It was a long
journey, taking its watchmakers through time and space
in search of man’s roots and focusing on one of the most
beautiful expressions of his soul.
PLATINUM is a precious metal
chosen when only the best is judged
sufficiently good — which is why
Vacheron Constantin naturally has
a long tradition of creating beautiful platinum watches and why it
has created its Platinum Patrimony
Skeleton with Perpetual Calendar.
The company initiated the use of
platinum in 1820, and has created
masterpieces in the precious metal
ever since, choosing the metal to
meet the unremitting demands of
its most creative and complex designs. Unlike 18k gold, which is 75%
pure, platinum is 95% pure and is
found in very few places around
the world; in fact it is 30 times more
rare than gold. Platinum is the perfect choice for a lifetime of wear
— its density and weight making
it more durable than other metals.
If a platinum piece is scratched the
metal is merely displaced and none
of its volume is lost, so it remains
what it always was – a symbol of
all things eternal. Platinum is the
discrete choice of kings, queens,
tsars, maharajas and very discerning individuals — to own an object
in platinum brings with it a special
prestige, recognizable only to a select few — to fellow connoisseurs
and discerning collectors. ✠
Above: Epitomizing the rarity and purity of Vacheron
Constantin’s Excellence Collection, The Vacheron
Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine watch
in platinum 950, with pure, round, oversized case
o setting its micro-grain nished platinum dial in a
discreet play of brilliant re ecting light only achievable
in platinum – simply perfection. $26,000.00. Limited
edition of 150 pieces.
THREE YEARS, T WELVE MASKS, T WENT Y FIVE PIECES EACH
What would be the best subject to subtly evoke the human experience? The manufacture’s master
watchmakers and designers considered several possibilities. As it turned out, the choice of masks was an
obvious one, for Geneva is extremely fortunate in having one of the world’s nest museums of primitive
