Wednesday 10 December 2014

Vacheron Constantin Immersion... A Look At Some Traditionnelle Pieces, A Collectionneurs Pocketwatch and An Exclusive Goat! :)

Apologies if the title misled :) i meant a boutique exclusive Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art
The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Goat timepiece (now that's a mouthful...) this 
picture titled 'The Fearless Goat & The Blue Dragon' ;) [Limited edition of 12 pieces for each
 model. Each year will see the zodiac animal for the year and 12 pieces in rose gold and 12
 in platinum. The series started off last year in 2014 with the year of the horse]
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So from the wonderful evening of Vacheron Constantin's gala opening and exhibition LINK, i had a hankering to get some pics of the traditionelle pieces and have a feel of them in the metal and possibly other pieces that had caught my eye. I would like to thank Vacheron Constantin for the opportunity to spend some time with these pieces and enhancing my appreciation for their wonderful offerings. 


First up let's look at the excellent Traditionnelle range with the Chronograph in Pink Gold. 
A comfortable piece at a good sized 42mm with the Calibre 1141, manual handwind  [Price S$82,600]
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the Traditionnelle range has a great patrimony and has strong dna from past lines
featuring similar complications... definitely a winner from the front
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and the back... oh my what do we have here... 
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a lemania after my own heart... the lemania 2310 finished to geneve seal standards no less
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one of my fave chronograph movements with variants of it found in my speedmaster 
cal321 LINK and the Patek 5070 LINK and to Roger Dubuis LINK...  
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next up the traditionnelle perpetual calendar chronograph. Platinum 950 in a 43mm case
Handwind perpetuals are interesting as you gotta make sure it's always wound to be powered up. i 
have seen a contraption before that winds the crown and it was made for these watches in mind
but that will probably not come cheap too... a magnificent piece nonetheless
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deep and nice grey dial with different tones of grey and silver and white at play 
Retail is S$223,100 
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another piece of note at the boutique is the boutique exclusive Traditionnelle model with 950
 platinum case, opaline silver-toned dial and baguette-cut diamond hour-markers(totalling 
approximately 0.3 carats) which was presented at the inauguration of the Singapore ION Orchard boutique

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i wasn't able to take decent shots of this piece but it's a simple classic piece in the metal. 
the baguette diamond markers are rather subtle which is interesting. the diamonds 
and the plat case go towards the pricing of it at S$87,400
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movement is exceptionally finished as with all geneva seal movements from VC. not a good shot 
as the caseback sticker was still on but you get the idea ;)
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as the shoot was done at the Ion boutique it afforded me more time to have a look see...
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the tree is up as u can see from the bokeh'ed lights in the background :)
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there's interesting supersized watch movements and old skool machines & lathes 
to make watch components
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and literature for the more studious ones amongst us ;) 
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And we come back to The Goat... at first glance it didn't grab me but the more i held it and 
took pics of it the more i appreciated it. Métiers d’Art is an ongoing collection showcasing artistic
 crafts in timepieces. Vacheron Constantin presents The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac - a series
 of captivating timepieces based on the 12-year cycle and this year we have him... A symbol
 of a vivacious, independent spirit, the sign of the goat will take over from the horse on February
 19th 2014. To mark this occasion, the Manufacture presents two new watch creations 
magnificently enhanced by enamelling and engraving.

Since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has excelled in the field of precious ornamental
 techniques and cultivates passionate ties with the artistic crafts that it has consistently promoted
 by nurturing the transmission of expertise from one generation to the next. This know-how provides
 the Geneva-based watchmaking House with the opportunity to highlight its fundamental values –
 including of course its constant quest for excellence, as well as sharing passion, passing 
on knowledge and openness to the world expressed through unconditional support for both
native and foreign forms of artistic expression.
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A contemporary alliance of traditional artistic crafts for a magnificent dial -  The leaf motif 
appearing on the dial and stemming from classic Chinese iconography, is etched directly
 in the metal. The pattern remains semi-embedded and stands out from its gold base by a subtle
 stage-setting of variously accentuated reliefs creating a depth effect. The raised honeysuckle flowers
 appear to be floating over the dial. With the goat engraving, on which the details of the fleece
 measure a mere fraction of a millimetre, the artisan provides a tangible expression of the
 artistic vision behind this creation. Then comes the stage of Grand Feu enamelling, a 
technique invented in Geneva and which remains the exclusive preserve of a rare breed of 
artisans. By applying the enamel in successive layers, the enamel specialist further enhances
 the visual intensity of the blue or bronze-toned dial. The necessity of maintaining tight
 control of the colour and the reactions to the firing process that takes place in a kiln at around
 800 to 900°C, calls for a specific way of reasoning that takes years to acquire. A final layer
 of enamel is then applied before a final firing operation that vitrifies the dial and lends a shiny
 glazed effect that gives added definition to the floral motif. The goat is delicately applied
 to the centre of the dial, exuding a sense of calm and serenity through the sapphire crystal
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A calibre focusing on space with an original display ~ hands-free display of time through 
four windows respectively revealing the hour, the minutes, the day and the date. The first
 two indications are of the dragging kind and the last two of the jumping type, and each appears
 through one of the four apertures arranged around the central dial motif. Beating at a rate
 of 28,800 vibrations per hour, the mechanical self-winding movement is equipped with 
a 22-carat gold oscillating weight adorned with a dynamic geometrical motif inspired by the
 shape of the Maltese Cross, the historical House emblem. All its parts are treated to exceptionally
 sophisticated finishing that meets the criteria laid down by the Hallmark of Geneva – one of the
 highest tokens of horological craftsmanship created in 1886 and recognised around the world. 
This requirement now applies to the entire timepiece, which is duly certified by the Hallmark of Geneva
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The Year of the Goat model, part of the Métiers d’Art Légende du Zodiaque Chinois collection,
 is endowed with that unique touch of soul possessed by watches bearing the Hallmark of Geneva.
With this exceptional collection, Vacheron Constantin intends to pursue its special ongoing 
dialogue with collectors and devotees of Fine Watchmaking.[Priced at $165,000 for the Pink Gold] 
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to end off this post, i wanted to post 2 pics of a pocketwatch and post up some of the changes 
in the font and brand logo through the years for Vacheron Constantin. Next year will be 
it's 260th anniversary and it has had an amazing legacy and fine pieces throughout it's history.
 “Vacheron Constantin Collectionneurs” timepieces are carefully chosen and screened by 
Vacheron Constantin heritage specialists, they are superbly presented in Vacheron Constantin
 cases, come fully serviced with a certificate of authenticity, a free one year guarantee and 
access to the highly experienced Vacheron Constantin after-sales service and restoration teams
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 Each timepiece is a part of vacheron constantin’s 260 years of heritage ~ With “Vacheron Constantin
 Collectionneurs”, you are not only buying a timepiece, you are also buying an important piece of 
Vacheron Constantin’s 260 years of heritage, and as such benefit from the company’s vast and 
comprehensive archives and the exceptional talent of its master watchmakers. As a consequence, 
“Vacheron Constantin Collectionneurs” is able to offer its clients timepieces that have been 
fully and lovingly serviced and restored. And what better place than at the Vacheron Constantin
 Boutique in ION Orchard to find “Vacheron Constantin Collectionneurs”, to discover such jewels
 in the crown of Vacheron Constantin – timepieces that have been preciously guarded for generations.  
Pocket watch, minute-repeater in 18K yellow gold . Silvered dial, black enamelled Arabic 
numerals, small seconds at 6 o'clock and external railroad minute-circle. Year 1920, Calibre 
RA 17" 29/12. Price S$116,000
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and some of the logos from before (not in any chronological order)... 
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that last one i really like. hope u enjoyed the post and uhm, which VC were you planning on getting? ;) cheers, raph

2 comments:

Stefano said...

This post shows that VC is still amongst the top in the watch world. I had lost faith in VC, but your post has given me hope that this brand has a bright future in addition to its glorious past.

raphael too said...

Hi Stefano
Thanks for your comment. I think VC has a lot of good things going for it that it can build on and look forward to their journey ahead.
cheers, raph

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