Vacheron Constantin (Vacheron Constantin) is one of the top Swiss watch brands with a history of more than 250 years. For more than two centuries, it has been adhering to the oldest and most authentic watchmaking tradition given to this Swiss watch in Geneva. Therefore, whether it is Vacheron Constantin two hundred years ago or today’s continuous technical innovation, their There is no change in taste; it is like an opera. Whoever sings and how they sing must be the taste of opera. Art knows no borders; Vacheron Constantin said that watchmaking also has no borders!
Previous life
All along, Patrimony’s heritage series is Vacheron Constantin’s most famous series, and it is also the favorite of collectors. Because it combines the unique essence, outstanding tradition and superb craftsmanship that Vacheron Constantin has carefully cultivated for more than 250 years, and at the same time symbolizes perfection and elegance, which is the true meaning of Vacheron Constantin’s recognized brand connotation. With its unique round case and timeless classic design, this series completely inherits the purest tradition of fine watchmaking.
The Patrimony Traditionnelle series we are talking about today was born in 2007, and its design inspiration is inspired by the aesthetic characteristics of Vacheron Constantin’s exquisite classic watch styles. It not only maintains the brand’s pure tradition and solid quality, but also conveys the brand’s precious values. In addition, this series is not only equipped with ordinary mechanical movements with small seconds, but also with highly complex movements. Vacheron Constantin’s designers, watchmakers and professional staff try to interpret the essence of Vacheron Constantin through this series.
In the 19th century, under the long-term threat of counterfeit watch products, the Swiss watchmaking industry launched the ‘Hallmark of Geneva’ certification program. Today, the mark has become the supreme concept of watchmaking and is the ultimate A symbol of perfect clockwork. This mark may be one of the oldest certification marks in the industry. It was officially recognized in law in 1886. It is not only a label of Swiss origin, but also a special guarantee of excellent quality.
Although the Geneva mark was widely recognized in the high-end watch industry at the time, not every watchmaking company was eligible to join this exclusive group of only a few watchmakers. The Geneva Seal is based on 12 relevant guidelines and has been continuously revised to meet changes in the watchmaking industry. Only a movement that fully complies with these standards can get this mark. Not only that, the Geneva Seal is only awarded to movements assembled and commissioned locally in Geneva, Switzerland, and the watchmaker’s headquarters must be located locally. Therefore, there are only a handful of manufacturers that can put the ‘Geneva mark’ on their top watch series, and Vacheron Constantin is naturally one of them.
In fact, the seven members of the “Geneva Seal” committee, an independent body responsible for continuously increasing its certification value, are individually appointed by the City of Geneva for a four-year term. The composition of each certified movement component ranges from as few as 100 to as many as 800, depending on the specific model, but it must first be approved by the committee. Only after all components have been approved can the assembly and commissioning of the movement be carried out for a series of final tests. Finally, the watches that passed all tests were engraved with the ‘Geneva Mark’ on their movement splint.
Bezel with smooth and slightly oblique angle; sapphire crystal caseback with pits; polished trapezoidal hour markers; dauphine hands; silver dial with orbiting ring; simple and smooth lines Clear case and crown; it is these little bit of iconic features that show the rich modern flavor of Patrimony Traditionnelle series, and also reveals Vacheron Constantin’s loyalty to the tradition, but no lack of modern brand characteristics. This Traditionnelle watch is 38 mm in size. While following the true horological tradition, it is like a hymn dedicated to Vacheron Constantin from the 1930s to the 1950s. The ratio of pure lines to harmony highlights its most important classic aesthetic features. The 18K red gold case of this watch, through the sapphire crystal case back, you can enjoy the beautiful decorative treatment of the movement, but also interpret the original watchmaking tradition of Vacheron Constantin. Because this watch has both technical characteristics and aesthetic qualities, it can become a standard for measuring classic high-end watches.
This watch is equipped with Vacheron Constantin’s new 4400 manual winding movement (more aggressive than 1400), which was independently designed and produced by Vacheron Constantin’s R & D department in Joux Valley. Although this movement only uses a single barrel, we can see that this barrel is very large, occupying almost a third of the entire movement, so its maximum power reserve has reached an astonishing 65. Hours, which is not only more practical, the key is to extend the time of close contact with it (the time for the chain will be longer).
The 4400 movement not only adhering to Vacheron Constantin’s unique decorative processing technology, it has always maintained a low-key, rustic style in appearance, and is engraved with the prestigious Geneva mark. It not only follows the purest traditions of haute horlogerie, but also uses modern cutting-edge watchmaking techniques. In order to particularly fit the size of the modern case, the movement diameter reaches 28.5 mm (everyone likes thin skin and large filling). Vacheron Constantin’s designers and watchmakers can say that this size has been used to the extreme, achieving technical and aesthetic Perfect fusion.
The movement fully complies with the 12 standards of the Geneva Seal and meets even higher requirements for decoration and finishing. For Vacheron Constantin’s tradition, the main substrate, plywood and other major components must be surface-decorated by hand. It is these high-quality hand-decorations that have become an important part of Vacheron Constantin’s watchmaking philosophy.
this life
Just a while ago, this Patrimony Traditionnelle small seconds watch released its 950 platinum version. We must not think that it is simply a case change. The most important thing is that this watch fully meets the latest standards of the Geneva Seal. Its guidelines are no longer limited to the requirements of the movement, but must also consider the decoration and the whole of the watch (such as the matching and production standards of the case, lugs, bezel, bracelet, and even the buckle). This is a major change made by the Mark of Geneva to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2011 in an effort to satisfy the increasingly demanding distinguished guests.
The platinum version can be said to have sublimated the aesthetic standards of the series to another level, while adhering to the tradition of real high-end watches, it also shows a minimalist taste. The dial adopts a very modern dark blue gray. If not, No one would think that its material is platinum, which is extremely low-key. The hour scale and hands are made of 18K gold, and the minute track scale circle in black and white creates a pleasing and rhythmic visual effect.
There is no change in the movement. It is still the classic 4400 manual winding movement. Unlike the previous one, the Geneva imprint is not only on the movement, but also on the case back. In order to highlight the dignity of this watch, Vacheron Constantin specially equipped it with a black Mississippi double-sided crocodile leather strap and a 950 platinum pin buckle, which can be described as platinum to teeth.
Summary: The appearance of the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle watch continues the simple and low-key style of the series. Although the movement is not complicatedly carved, the grinding and chamfering are fully in line. The strict standards of the Geneva mark also show us the watchmaking attitude of Vacheron Constantin. Whether in platinum or red gold, this watch can be easily adapted to various formal occasions.