Vacheron Constantin has chosen today to revive some of the finest moments in the quest for ultra-thinness. The brand is enriching its “Historiques” collection with two new creations directly inspired by its heritage, each lending a new and distinctively modern touch to one of two legendary calibres.

“Historique Ultra-fine 1955”
currently the world’s thinnest mechanical hand-wound watch
measuring just 4.10 mm thick

It is equipped with the mechanical hand-wound 1003 movement
the thinnest in the world at just 1.64 mm thick
rebuilt in 2010 – for its 55th anniversary – in 18-carat gold, and bearing the Hallmark of Geneva

“Historique Ultra-fine 1968”
equipped with the ultra-thin mechanical self-winding 1120 movement
featuring a new decorated oscillating weight, and bearing the Hallmark of Geneva

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For Vacheron Constantin, celebrating the 55th anniversary of the birth of the ultra-thin Calibre 1003 provides an opportunity to revisit its heritage.

Considered to be one of the most beautiful and refined ultra-thin movements on the market, Calibre 1003 has been defying mechanical laws for over 50 years. It is extremely complex to produce and its adjustment calls upon the full measure of expertise cultivated by a fine watch manufacturer.

The decoration is extremely meticulous: Côtes de Genève, bevelling and chamfering, and drawing the steel parts with a file are all performed by hand. This exceptional degree of finishing earns the new version of Calibre 1003 the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva, an independent and sovereign certification awarded by the State of Geneva which thereby guarantees the origin, precision, durability and fine craftsmanship of models from a handful of Geneva-based watch companies.

For its 2010 re-edition, Calibre 1003 is presented in a round watch in 4N 18-carat pink gold measuring 36 mm in diameter, inspired by one of the three historical models introduced in 1955, reference 6099. The latter has been selected because of a design that already embodied a decidedly modern touch at the time of its launch.

Reference
Historique Ultra-fine 1955
33155/000R-9588

The World’s thinnest mechanical hand-wound watch
measuring just 4.10 mm thick to date

Movement
1003
Rebuilt in 18-carat gold for its 55th anniversary in 2010
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva
Mechanical, manual-winding
The thinnest in the world at just 1.64 mm thick

Thickness of movement
1.64 mm

Diameter of movement
20.80 mm

Jewels
18 jewels

Frequency
18′000 vibrations/hour

Indications
Hours, minutes

Power reserve
More than 30 hours

Case
18 carat 4N rose gold
Diameter: 36.00 mm. Thickness: 4.1 mm

Water resistance
3 bar, equivalent to 30 meters

Dial    18 carat gold, silvered opaline
Mirror-polished Maltese Cross and indexes

Strap
Black hand-stitched, saddle-finished
Square-shape scales alligator leather.

Clasp
Buckle in 18 carat 4N rose gold, polished half Maltese Cross

Vacheron Constantin has chosen to make 2010 a tribute year to its ultra-thin timepieces by reissuing, again within its “Historiques” collection, a square-shaped model dating from 1968 and equipped with the famous ultra-thin self-winding Calibre 1120.

In revisiting this watch, the Manufacture has adopted an extremely distinctive style: that of the 1960s. This 4N 18-carat rose gold timepiece creates a striking contrast between the strict square dial opening and the slightly curving case flanks.

Compared to the original 1968 watch (reference 7614), the watch now presented features updated technical characteristics in tune with modern times: water resistance to 3 bar, equivalent to around 30 metres; a sapphire crystal, and a clipped-down solid case-back exactly like the original model.

Despite such improvements, which generally tend to increase bulk, this watch measuring 35.2 mm along its sides is even thinner than its historical predecessor: 5.5 mm compared with 6.52 mm, making it one of the thinnest watches in its category.

Like the 1968 model, the contemporary version is equipped with the ultra-thin self-winding Calibre 1120. This exceptional movement driving hour and minute hands has powered some of the most prestigious ultra-thin self-winding watches in horological history.

Vacheron Constantin has chosen in 2010 re-issue two ultra-thin watches that have made their mark on its history, duly christened “Historique Ultra-fine 1955” and “Historique Ultra-fine 1968”.

Reference
Historique Ultra-fine 1968
43043/000R-9592

Movement
1120, Vacheron Constantin
Stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva
Energy    Mechanical, self-winding

Height of movement
2.45 mm

Diameter of movement
28.00 mm

Jewels
36 jewels

Frequency
19′800 vibrations/hour

Indications
Hours, minutes

Power reserve
More than 40 hours

Case
18 carat 4N rose gold
Square-shaped 35.2 x 35.2 mm, thickness: 5.5 mm

Water resistance
3 bar, equivalent to 30 meters

Dial
Silvered, 18 carat black finished indexes
Mirror-polished Maltese Cross

Strap
Black hand-stitched, saddle-finished
Square-shape scales alligator leather.

Clasp
Buckle in 18 carat 4N rose gold
Polished half Maltese Cross

[Vacheron Constantin Press Release]

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Silvio Berlusconi’s Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch

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(Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar)
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The most expensive watch worth US$540,000 Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar, worn by Italian Prime Minister and mega-wealthy industrialist Silvio Berlusconi. This Vacheron Constantin watch is worth over five hundred thousand dollars.
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The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar was produced from 1946 through 2006. The discontinuance was a good strike news to those collectors fortunate enough to own one. This watch is in platinum, with the Vacheron Constantin reference number 30020/000P/7596.
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It features a platinum case, with Vacheron’s familiar flared lugs. Its front crystal is a sapphire one while the back crystal one is made of acrylic permitting the repeater tone to sound more purely and louder. Case dimensions: 37mm diameter by 10.5mm thick.
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Dial is silver with applied hour markers and sunken subdials. The following calendar information is shown: day, date, month, leap year, moonphase and age of the moon.
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Its movement: the manual winding Vacheron Constantin Caliber 1755 with 30 jewels and adjusted to five positions and temperature. The construction of this movement and its finishing are extremely beautiful. The repeater hammer and gongs can be seen at work, when the repeater is activated.
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Silvio Berlusconi was born in September 29^th, 1936. He is an Italian politician, the current Prime Minister of Italy as well as a billionaire entrepreneur. He is the longest-serving Prime Minister of Italy, a position he has held on three separate occasions: from 1994 to 1995, from 2001 to 2006 and currently since 2008. He is the leader of the People of Freedom political movement, a centre-right party he founded in 2009. As of November 2009, he is the longest-serving current leader of a G8 country.
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[Vacheron Constantine Home Page]
[Interwatches' Vacheron Constantine' Gallery]

Vacheron & Constantin dates back to 1819 when Jean-Marc Vacheron and Francois Constantin joined to create the Swiss watch making company in Geneva. It is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world. In 1974, the name was then changed to just, Vacheron Constantin. Vacheron Constantin is responsible for inventing winding crowns, among other first watch innovations.

also features handcrafted leather, alligator-patterned strap complete with a standard tang buckle. It is one of the year, and 4-digit year. It also features handcrafted leather, alligator-patterned strap complete with a standard tang buckle. It is well suited for your father, brother, son, husband, or boyfriend. If you are struggling to find a Christmas gift this season, look no further. Men will think Santa’s got extremely good taste, when they find Replica Vacheron Constantin is responsible for inventing winding crowns, among other first watch innovations.

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Vacheron Constantin Tourbillon watches impressed elite members of the Royal Courts of all Europe during centuries. In 1755, Jean-Marc Vacheron, a young apprentice to a Master Watchmaker was being recognized for building classy pocket watches at just 24 years old. The young Vacheron started signing watches in 1760.

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Some of the most exquisite Vacheron replica watches for you or your loved one this coming Christmas. Our site offers you the highest quality in watches, along with a fast and safe delivery for your watch. *2 Sub dials in the watch’s white face: A chrono and 24 hours counter. These features are detailed to perfection. *The Mineral Crystal Glass: Perfect for resistance in the watches. Vacheron Constantin Tourbillon watches impressed elite members of the most complex and highly detailed watches, you can’t miss the opportunity to buy the Vacheron Constantin Tourbillon more interesting are: *Water resistant: You can use the watch industry in Swiss.

It was one of the first companies that added this mechanism called the Tourbillon to some of their models. The Tourbillon is a complex but witty mechanism invented in 1795 by Abraham-Louis Breguet that counters effectively the effects of gravity in the watch’s white face: A chrono and 24 hours counter. These features are detailed to perfection. *The Mineral Crystal Glass: Perfect for resistance in the face of your watch. This makes the glass hardened and more scratch-resistant than any regular glass.

*Black leather bands. The design is elegant and long lasting, that is one of these replicas. Remember, even replica Vacheron Constantin replica is the perfect Christmas gift if you want to miss the opportunity to buy the Vacheron Company from 1755 to 1784 are secondary resources and public records, and the Company itself recorded 1785 as its founding date. After several name changes during the years, the Company finally adopts the name that made it famous in 1877: Vacheron & Constantin.

The oldest watch company in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin, also has the singular honor of having produced the single most expensive watch of all time — the “Kallista” (Greek for “the most wonderful”) — which is set with over 130 carats of emerald cut diamonds, each with its own GIA certificate. The Kallista’’s original selling price was over $5 million, and today, its value is estimated at over twice that figure should the watch ever be offered at auction. Needless to say, there are many passionate fans of Vacheron Constantin.

Genevois watchmaker Jean-Mark Vacheron founded the company in 1755 at just 24 years of age. Vacheron was known for expensive and finely finished timepieces. His personal ambition was to create timepieces that would stand out for their elegance and quality. In 1785, Vacheron’’s son Abraham took over the company, which survived the French Revolution, among other economic crises.

By 1814, third-generation watchmaker Jacques Barthelemy Vacheron was leading the company, but Vacheron realized that he needed a partner if the company was to survive. He could not oversee the company’’s day-to-day operations and travel overseas to market the watches. So it was that in 1819, Francois Constantin — son of a wealthy grain merchant — became a partner in the firm. From that point forward, the firm went under the name “Vacheron & Constantin”, a name that is to this day synonymous with the finest quality timepieces.

By all accounts, Francois Constantin led an opulent lifestyle and was quite a flamboyant character. He relished his role as Vacheron & Constantin’’s representative and journeyed around the world selling watches. Whenever Constantin traveled, the firm protected itself by constructing huge shipping cases with all sorts of hidden compartments. Francois Constantin also led the charge in opening new markets overseas, especially in North America, where the Vacheron & Constantin agency was eventually established in 1864. Francois Constantin’’s unique motto remains the company’’s motto to this day: “Do better when possible, and it is always possible!”

Another key protagonist in the Vacheron Constantin story is Georges-Auguste Leschot. A mechanical genius, Leschot had experimented with machines that could be used for series production of watch components. This was a revolutionary concept to be sure, but the watchmaking establishment ridiculed Leschot.

In 1839, Leschot was hired as Technical Director for the House, which wanted to improve their production methods. Thanks to Leschot’’s cost-saving inventions, including a turning and drilling machine that could drill holes in the exact same position every time, Vacheron & Constantin was able to sell their watches for far less than what other comparable watches were selling for. In spite of the cost savings, Leschot insisted that every part still be worked on by hand. As a result, the watchmakers were able to focus more of their attention on finishing, rather than fabrication of component parts.

A series of Vacheron and Constantin heirs took over the company in the wake of Francois Constantin’’s death in 1854, followed by Jacques Barthelemy Vacheron’’s death in 1863. Interestingly enough, the company was even led by two women at one point when Charles Vacheron, an heir apparent, died at the age of 25. Laure Vacheron-Pernessin, the widow of Charles Vacheron, and Catherine-Etienne Vacheron, the 88-year-old widow of Jacques Barthelemy Vacheron, made an unlikely team, but they successfully guided the company into the 20th Century.

In 1877, the name of the firm was officially registered as “Vacheron & Constantin, Fabricants, Geneve”, while salesman Jean-Francois Constantin was promoted to partner. Moreover, the company started using the Maltese cross as its trademark, which is still in use today. After Laure Vacheron-Pernessin and Catherine-Etienne Vacheron passed away, the firm was re-organized as a stock company in 1887. Several years of declining sales ensued, but the firm bounced back in the early part of the 20th Century, when they successfully capitalized on the newfound demand for wristwatches. A number of spectacular pocket watches were also sold, including an ultra-complicated pocket watch that was presented to the Egyptian King Fouad I in 1931.

Although Vacheron & Constantin suffered through lean times during the Great Depression, the one bright spot was that Charles Constantin became president of the company in 1936, the first time that a Constantin had led the company since the mid-1850s. Unfortunately, with the advent of World War II, sales once again plummeted. Georges Ketterer acquired a majority ownership position and under Ketterer’’s watch, Vacheron & Constantin bounced back. It was during Ketterer’’s reign that they produced some of their most famous watches, such as the “Chronometre Royale” wristwatch.

Georges Ketterer died in 1987, and the company changed hands, yet sales have improved and Vacheron is now producing nearly 20,000 watches a year.

Vacheron Constantin (the ampersand was dropped sometime in the late 1970s) recently introduced a number of popular models such as the sporty “Overseas”, as well as the “Les Historiques” series of mechanical wristwatches whose designs are clearly modeled after classic designs from the 1940s and 1950s.

Vacheron Constantin also continues to manufacture a limited number of ultra-complicated watches, such as the Tourbillon watches, the unique “Grand Mercator” and a magnificent minute repeater/perpetual calendar. The prices for these watches are obviously quite high, but for many watch enthusiasts, a Vacheron Constantin represents the ultimate expression of the watchmaker’’s art — an heirloom to be passed down through the generations and treasured by those lucky enough to own one.

View Vacheron Collections

by Marc Hasenfuss, for Fin24, November 13, 2009.

Cape Town – Richemont chairperson Johann Rupert’s decision to assume the role of CEO at the Swiss-based luxury brands group as well has elicited contrasting responses from a shareholder activist and local asset managers.

Richemont announced on Friday that Rupert – who is also chairperson of investment companies Reinet and Remgro – would assume the role of CEO from April 1 2010.

While Rupert retains his chair of Richemont, the group did nominate Lord Renwick of Clifton (who sits on the SABMiller board) as lead independent director.

The appointment of Rupert follows the resignation of Norbert Platt as CEO for health reasons at the end of 2009. The development suggests Richemont could not find a suitable replacement for the well-regarded Platt, who was appointed in 2004…(continue reading)

חודש נובמבר הוא חודש נפלא והרבה דברים טובים מתרחשים בו. אני שמח כי בתחילת החודש משרד יחסי הציבור שבניהולי נבחר לטפל בפעילות יחסי הציבור והתקשורת של כרונוטיים, היבואנית הבלעדית של מותגי שעונים, תכשיטים ועטים יוקרתיים מהמובילים בעולם.

החברה, שהוקמה בשנת 1998 ע”י קבוצת ה.א.ס, משווקת את מותגיה ברשת חנויות כרונוטיים ופועלת בהתאם לקונספט של חנויות המותגים המובילות בעולם, שם מוצגים המותגים כפריטי אומנות בגלריה. בגלריות כרונוטיים ניתן דגש על שירות ויחס VIP לכל לקוח, לצד תצוגה מרשימה של שעונים, תכשיטים, עטים, סדרות מיוחדות, מהדורות מוגבלות ופריטים לאספנים.

בין מותגי העל המיוצגים ע”י כרונוטיים: IWC Schaffhausen, ULYSSE NARDIN, VACHERON CONSTANTIN, ORIS, Van Cleef & Arpels, GIRARD-PERREGAUX ועוד.

בבלוג זה אשמח לספר לכם על פעילות החברה, ועל שעונים מיוחדים, מהדורות מוגבלות, פריטים נדירים ועוד.

מוזמנים לבקר באתר של כרונוטיים: www.chronotime.co.il

ולסיכום, גלריית כרונוטיים הינה היבואנית הבלעדית של מותגי השעונים, תכשיטים ועטים המובילים בעולם. החברה שהוקמה בשנת 1998 ע”י קבוצת ה.א.ס משווקת את מותגיה ברשת חנויות כרונוטיים. גלריית כרונוטיים פועלות בהתאם לקונספט של גלריית המותגים המובילות בעולם שם מוצגים המותגים כפריטי אומנות בגלריה. בגלריות כרונוטיים ניתן דגש על שירות ויחס VIP לכל לקוח, לצד תצוגה מרשימה של שעונים, תכשיטים, עטים, סדרות מיוחדות, מהדורות מוגבלות ופריטים לאספנים.

סניפי כרונוטיים: תל אביב – כיכר המדינה וגן העיר (מרכז שירות). ירושלים – כתר דוד (מול מלון המלך דוד), חיפה -  MULLER.

 כרונוטיים: 03-5446446

www.chronotime.co.il

אשמח לענות על שאלות ולסייע בפרטים נוספים.

רונן הלל  

 www.ronenhilel.co.il

Geneva, Thursday October 29th 2009 – Just two years after being awarded the 2007 Watch of the Year Prize (for the Patrimony Contemporary Retrograde Date and Day model), Vacheron Constantin once again takes the top spot on the winner’s podium with the 2009 Watch of the Year Prize, this time for its ‘Historiques American 1921’ model.

Born of a determination to highlight the wealth of our heritage, its design is inspired by an avant-garde cushion-shaped wristwatch featuring a crown at 1 o’clock, created for the crown in response to the wishes of an American client in during the Roaring Twenties. It blends creativity embodied in the daring style of the 1920s, with rigorous technical sophistication expressed through the new mechanical manual-winding Manufacture 4400 movement bearing the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva to which we are firmly committed.”

‘Historiques American 1921’

Born of a determination to highlight the wealth of the Vacheron Constantin heritage, the ‘Historiques’ line is intended to revive models symbolising the spirit and expertise of the brand through contemporary contemporary reinterpretations.

After presenting the reinterpreted Chronomètre Royal 1907 on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, in 2008 Vacheron Constantin presented the ‘Historiques American 1921’, a piece inspired by an avant-garde cushion-shaped wristwatch featuring a crown placed at 1 o’clock and confidentially produced for an American client during the Roaring Twenties. In keeping with the spirit of that era, Vacheron Constantin has once again returns to creative roots by combining inventive design with rigorous respect for history in this eloquent tribute to the 1920s.

Radiating classic and understated elegance as well as genuine originality, this ultimate ‘dandy-style’ watch faithfully echoes the original with a 40 mm-diameter cushion-shaped case crafted in 18-carat pink gold and distinguished by diagonal time read-off and a crown positioned at 1 o’clock. The sandblasted dial is graced with 12 painted black Arabic numerals arranged around an equally black-painted railway track minute circle. The hands are in black oxidised 18-carat gold. Topped by a slightly convex sapphire crystal, the case is fitted with a transparent back enabling one to admire the exceptional finishing of the mechanical manual-winding Calibre 4400, developed and crafted in-house by Vacheron Constantin and bearing the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. Beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, it measures 28 mm in diameter, 2.8 mm thick, and is endowed with an approximately 65-hour power reserve. This new model is water-resistant to pressures of 3 bar – equivalent to 30 metres – and is teamed with a hand-sewn saddle-stitched strap in dark brown alligator leather fitted with an 18-carat pink gold pin buckle shaped like a half Maltese Cross.

Produced in limited quantities, the ‘Historiques American 1921’ is bound to delight connoisseurs and devotees of classic and daring fine watchmaking who are looking for distinctive timepieces and whose horological curiosity naturally draws them to its timeless aesthetic and functional qualities.

[Source: Vacheron Constantin International – Press Communication]

E toamna. Sindicatele isi numara salariatii in strada. Ce multi oameni mai au serviciu in Romania! Crin are motiune de cenzura. Ce faci cu motiunea, Crin? Vine Emil. El are o coasa. Sa cosesti bine, Emile! Bunicuta e suparata. De ce esti suparata, Bunicuto?

Parlamentul are doua camere. Ce multe camere are Parlamentul! Copii, voi stiti ce este un referendum?

Elena are mere. Merele sunt de aur.

CONTINUARE…………

Shop 14, Level 7
MLC Centre
Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000

Date : Friday 2 Oct 2009

The location was Ambar, coincidentally also the choice of the Richemont crowd that night. Being made of sterner stuff, the Richemont-ers were outside on this slightly chilly night, whilst we were tucked inside, talking watches, food, travel, bikes, and the madness of the Paneristi

 

(Zsa Zsa Gabor and Maron Brando)

New York, NY – 24th septembre, 2009 – For more than 250 years, the favorite timepiece of discerning royalty and celebrities alike has been Vacheron Constantin, as an object of stature, superiority, and pure elegance. In 1954, renowned actress Zsa Zsa Gabor chose a Vacheron Constantin timepiece as a special gift for actor Marlon Brando to commemorate the release of “On the Waterfront” for which Brando won an Oscar.

Its case back engraved “To Marlon Love Zsa Zsa June 24, 1954,” the timepiece sold at The Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, Pocket Watches & Clocks auction held by Antiquorum on September 17th in New York for six times its estimated value. The 18K yellow gold wristwatch sold for a final price of $18,000 to an unknown buyer.

Vacheron Constantin timepieces are hand-crafted works of mechanical wizardry that can take months – even years – to realize. With excellence evident in every aspect of these timepieces’ aesthetic design, Vacheron Constantin has distinguished itself as the timepiece of discerning distinction adored by today’s Hollywood royalty. As the world’s oldest watch manufacture, Vacheron Constantin and its timepieces have proven to be among the most sought-after items on the market, both as genuine masterpieces of horology and as value-generating investments.

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Les vrais hommes portent-ils des belles montres ? Une récente vente aux enchères démontre que oui. En 1954, pour fêter la sortie du film d’Elia Kazan Sur les quais, l’actrice Zsa Zsa Gabor offrit une montre en or de la marque Vacheron Constantin à Marlon Brando. Sur le fond de la boîte, elle avait fait graver ces quelques mots : « To Marlon Love Zsa Zsa June 24, 1954 ». Le 24 septembre, cette montre unique a été vendue aux enchères à New York chez Antiquorum pour la modique somme de 18 000 dollars, soit environ 12 500 euros. L’acquéreur a voulu rester anonyme. Seule certitude : l’actrice avait bon goût…

Pa.M.

Walking along Geneva’s lakefront at night, you might think the canon of Geneva watch brands are represented in the lighted signs atop the buildings along the shore. But while the multiplicity of brands remind you that you are in the capital city of watchmaking, the top of the pyramid is occupied by just two of them. (Robb Report)

On the occasion of ONLY WATCH 2009,
organised on behalf of the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy,
Vacheron Constantin makes its first-ever introduction of a watch made from tantalum.

This one-of-kind Quai de l’Ile model,
testifying to the latest technological breakthroughs from the Geneva-based manufacturer,
will be presented at the charity auction to be held in Monaco on September 24th 2009.

In a fascinating new sequel to the official launch of the new Quai de l’Ile collection in Geneva at the April 2008 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, Vacheron Constantin now presents the first-ever one-of-a-kind Quai de l’Ile model. Dedicated to the ONLY WATCH 2009 charity auction that will take place in Monaco on September 24th, this unique watch features a tantalum case also representing a major first in the history of the Geneva-based manufacturer.

Technical details

Vacheron Constantin Quai de l’Ile
Only Watch 2009 one-of-a-kind creation
Date: self-winding
Reference: 86050/000M9560

CASE
Material: tantalum, 950 palladium
Dimensions: 41.00 x 50.50 mm, 12.90 mm thick
Strap width: 23.00 mm
Shape and construction: cambered rectangle, modular construction
Back: transparent, sapphire crystal, screwed-down
Finishing: satin-brushed
Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating on under side, convex
Water resistance: 3 Atm, equivalent to a depth of 30 meters

DIAL AND HANDS
Dial material: sapphire crystal
Finishing: sapphire crystal; galvanic growth of nickel, metallization, laser engraving and inking
Hours : 3,6,9 and 12: galvanic growth of nickel, rhodium layer
1,2,4,5,7,8,10 and 11: engraving and black or white engraving
Material and type of hands: hours and minutes: satin-finished 18K white gold with white luminescent material;
seconds: satin-brushed pfinodal

MOVEMENT
Reference 2460H410QH, Hallmark of Geneva
Rhodiumed snail-shaped outer ring
Energy: mechanical, self-winding
Diameter and thickness: 25.60 mm , 5.70 mm
Number of jewels: 27
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations / hour (4Hz)
Power reserve: approximately 43 hours
Indications: central hour, minute and seconds hands
Additional functions: date disc featuring optimal readability

OTHER ELEMENTS
Strap: black hand-stitched, saddle-finish, square-scaled, ultra-shiny alligator leather
Delivered with an additional strap in black vulcanised rubber
Clasp: palladium triple-blade folding clasp with polished half Maltese cross.

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Five different finishes for an ultra-sophisticated new dial: the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin once again demonstrates its superlative mastery of the watchmaking art with its new Malte Moon Phase and Power-Reserve model.

The Malte Moon Phase and Power-Reserve is available with a case in 18-carat white gold or 5N pink gold. The satin-brushed case-back is secured by screws. The dial is protected by a glareproofed cambered sapphire crystal. Naturally guaranteed water-resistant to a depth of 30 metres, this timepiece is fitted with a square-scale alligator-leather strap in black for the white gold model and chestnut brown for the rose gold model – both equipped with a gold folding clasp matching the case colour.

Technical Data

References Malte moon phase and power-reserve

83080/000G-9408 et 83080/000R-9407

Energy Mechanical, manual-winding

Height of movement 4.2 mm

Diameter of movement 26.00 mm

Jewels 22 rubies

Frequency 28′800 vibrations/hours

Indications Hours, minutes

Small seconds at 6 o’clock

Precision moon phase

Power-reserve

Power-reserve Approx. 40 hours

Case 18 K white or 5N pink gold

39 mm x 49 mm tonneau shape

Water-resistance 3 bar, equivalent to 30 meters

Dial 18 K white or 5N pink gold

Silvered, « Clou de Paris » hand-guilloché interior zone

Vertical satin finished exterior zone

Applied Maltese cross in 18K white gold or 5N pink gold

Strap Black or brown hand-stitched, saddle-finish, square-scaled alligator leather

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Two things convinced Jean Paul Barbier-Mueller of the project’s, its beauty and significance as he and the Vacheron Constantin team headed by Juan-Carlos Torres were able to share their common passion for beautiful objects and also the manufacture’s philosophy.

Twelve masks were selected from the Barbier-Mueller collection for small-scale reproduction in gold. They repose at the centre of each timepiece in a collection that extends over two thousand years and also four continents.

As Vacheron Constantin understands perfectly well the value of time, the company respected patiently the time needed to create such exceptional pieces. They took plenty of time for questioning, reflection and invention so as to assure themselves that the spirit of this special tribute to ancient societies.

A complete set of the twelve timepieces reproducing the twelve masks – from the limited edition of 300 exceptional timepieces – is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, an exhibition sponsored by Vacheron Constantin and called “A Legacy of Collecting: African and Oceanic Art from the Barbier-Mueller Museum, Geneva” in tribute to Jean Paul Barbier-Mueller.

According to these unique timepieces, each wristwatch is equipped with an automatic Calibre 2460G4 movement, manufactured by Poinçon de Genève, through which time can be read without any hands (by means of a set of wheels and gears, four discs indicate the hours, minutes, day and date in windows) leaving in the centre of the dial the masks as the central attraction remaining as sculptures, as silent guardians of ancestral secrets.

Michel Butor’s was the one who gave voice to the masks through magnificent short poems in prose dedicated to each mask. The writer’s lines rise as mysterious messages that can only be read when the light strikes it from a certain angle. This effect was achieved by vacuum metallization, a sophisticated technological process in which the gold letters are sprayed onto a sapphire crystal.

OCEANIA – INDONESIA

Facial Mask

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I dance the duration the wait
patience the resistance
to suffering and to evil
the slowness of the days and nights
stammerings recognition
resignation but vigilance
the hasty passage of the months
and the devouring of the months
Michel Butor

ASIA – CHINA

Zangs-Bag facial Mask
Tibet region, Tantric Buddhism. 16th-17th century
Partially-gilt copper, pigments
Height: 22.2 cm
Inv. 2504-168

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With my ornaments I surround
the emptiness opening in your eyes
and in your mouth a third
eye appearing on the forehead
to guide you in your labours
in the labyrinth of your lives
and those of your children
who continue your adventures
Michel Butor

AMERICA – MEXICO

Pendant Mask
State of Guerrero
Mezcala culture (300 – 100 BC)
Basalt
Height: 12.8 cm
Inv. 505-26

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At regular intervals
during the dance I come and strike
the heart whose pulse
races at the screams
reverberating off the walls
that protect us from the ghosts
of felines and enemies
who venture onto our land
Michel Butor

AFRICA – GABON

Ngontang Mask
Western Gabon, Fang people
Soft wood covered with white kaolin, specks of crystallisation
Height: 31 cm
Inv. 1019-76

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The line of my nose extending
between the eyebrows on my forehead
and on the other side to
my chin across my mouth
is like an arrow fi red
by a bow towards the celestial heights
beyond the clouds
or naturally the bird
into which your soul changes
Michel Butor

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Antiquorum announced in Geneva, last June 10^th, its upcoming event: the “Important Collector’s Wristwatches, Pocket Watches and Clocks” sale prepared to be celebrated on June 27th, 2009 at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. The auction will feature 479 lots and will bring together a remarkable selection of the finest timepieces by world-renowned watchmakers.

Between the highlights we can find:

Lot 479 / Patek Philippe

Ref. 3974, a 18K yellow gold minute-repeating gentleman’s wristwatch with black dial, perpetual calendar, leap year indications and moon phases, estimated between 2,000,000 and 2,700,000 HKD (300,000 and 400,000 Sfr).

Lot 360 / Patek Philippe

Ref. 3450, an 18K yellow gold wristwatch, made in 1982, with perpetual calendar, moon phases and a red dot for the leap year indication, estimated between 1,350,000 and 1,700,000 HKD (200,000 and 250,000 Sfr).

Lot 110 / Horological Machine No.1″, No. 15, by Busser & Friends

Tourbillon with 7-Day Power-Reserve Maximilian Busser & Friends, “Horological Machine No.1″, Ref. 10.TR41. Made in a limited number, circa 2006. Extremely fine and innovative, oversized, self-winding and manual, water-resistant, 18K pink gold wristwatch in the form of an eight, with four mainspring barrels providing 7-day power-reserve and visible one-minute tourbillon regulator.

Estimate: 400,000 HKD – 550,000 HKD

Lot 272 / Grande and Petite Sonnerie, Minute Repeater – Perpetual Calendar (made in 1997 by Franck Muller)

Caliber 97, Grande et Petite Sonnerie Minute-Repeater, Perpetual Calendar Franck Muller, Geneve, “Grande et Petite Sonnerie, Minute-Repeater – Perpetual Calendar.” Made in 1997. Unique, fine and rare, astronomic, grande et petite sonnerie minute-repeating, platinum and diamond-set wristwatch with retrograde perpetual calendar, equation of time, moon phases and 24 hour display.

Estimate: 1,750,000 HKD – 2,500,000 HKD

Lot 173 / Piaget Diamond & Sapphire Rocaille

Diamond & Sapphire Rocaille Piaget, Ref. 3259. Made in the 1960’s. Extremely fine, rare and elegant, 18K yellow gold, diamond and sapphire-set lady’s bracelet watch with an integral 18K yellow gold, diamond.

Estimate: 60,000 HKD – 87,000 HKD

Lot 290 / Vacheron Constantin Platinum, sapphires and diamonds
Platinum, Sapphires and Diamonds Vacheron & Constantin, movement. Made in 1923. Very fine and rare, sapphire and diamond-set platinum lady’s wristwatch.

Estimate: 55,000 HKD – 85,000 HKD

Lot 379 / Mirror Image Pair “Farewell to the Beloved”

Mirror Image Pair – Farewell to the Beloved Swiss, Geneva. Made for the Chinese market circa 1830, and attributed to the Frères Oltramare. Extremely fine and very rare, mirror-image pair of 18K gold and painted on enamel, pearl-set center seconds, musical, quarterrepeating pocket watches playing music on the hour or at will.

Estimate: 900,000 HKD – 1,200,000 HKD

AUCTION
Saturday June 27, 2009
MANDARIN ORIENTAL HONG KONG
2nd Floor, Victoria & Chater Room, 5 Connaught Road,
Central, Hong Kong
Tel. + 852 2522 0111 Fax + 852 2810 6190
Antiquorum Auctioneers (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Suite 1405, 9 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel. + 852 25 22 41 68 Fax. + 852 25 22 41 38

Session 1: lots 1 – 110, at 11 a.m.
Session 2: lots 111 – 479, at 2 p.m.

7 Markets: China, Japan, United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany

25 Luxury Brands : Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Blancpain, Breguet, Breitling, Bulgari, Cartier, Chopard, Ebel, Franck Müller, Girard-Perregaux, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Longines, Montblanc, Omega, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Rado, Raymond Weil, Rolex, Tag Heuer, Vacheron Constantin, Zenith.

If you want to order the WorldWatchReport 2009 click here

On May 20, 2009, the Korean market officially launched Quai de l’ile collection in Cine de Chef. The collection was launched through a selective press conference and launcheon in which guests were specially attended during a gala dinner where the Quai de l’ile was introduced as a symbol of the ultimate luxury.

Hosts were welcomed in the main hall where they could encounter Quai de I’ile watches for the first time. They were next guided to the theatre right next door moved by the mystic dial and dynamic design of the Quai de I’ile collection. Mr, Yann Bouilonnec, Asia Pacific managing director made a speech to announce the launching of this new collection in Korea market and then all the guests could go through the revolutionary technology. The stunning animation, the understanding of the respected values, the personalization and security made, from the Quai de l’ile collection laucheon, a very fine one in which guests were specially attended.

During dinner glamorous and dazzling models showed the watches walking around tables and letting the guests appreciate the close look of the timepieces being able to try them on as well as configuring their own personalized watches by the simulating programs in the tablet PC.

[Source: Vacheron Constantine Press Release]

Two sessions offer outstanding pocket watches, vintage and modern wristwatch, with NO buyer’s commission and simultaneos Internet bidding.

Gerald Genta (Lot 292) –
Estimate: $ 400,000 – $ 500,000

On June 4 in New York, Patrizzi & Co Auctioneers will present “Important Pocket Watches, Vintage and Modern Wristwatches” comprised of some 290 timepieces of outstanding quality, provenance and rarity. The auction follows two highly successful Patrizzi & Co auctions in Europe — the Davide Blei Vintage Rolex Collection, which was held March 22 in Milan and totaled more than $3.7 million with 114 timepieces, and the April 19 auction in Geneva with sales totaling over $6.7 million with 80% of the 263 lots sold.

Patek Philippe (Lot 196) –
Estimate: $ 80,000 – $ 100,000

Patrizzi & Co was founded last year by Osvaldo Patrizzi with the purpose of bringing transparency at an auction. He also achieved fully integrating online communications with the traditional auction format and, most importantly for Patrizzi & Co’s clients, eliminated fees and simplified the auction process.

NO buyer’s commission: This represents the saving to buyers of between 20–25% of the hammer price, which most other major auction houses currently charge.

Vacheron Constantin (Lot 247) – Estimate: $ 3,000 – $ 4,000

Five-year guarantee of authenticity: This guarantee eliminates what is often perceived to be the “risk factor” in buying important pieces via the Internet and includes an accurate and very detailed description of the quality of the piece(s) being purchased.

A choice of catalogs: Clients have a choice of purchasing a special commemorative catalog or a digitally printed color catalog or downloading their own personalized version of the online catalog onto their personal computer or new generation e-Book.

Vacheron Constantin (Lot 249) –
Estimate: $ 1,500 – $ 2,200

Auction
Thursday, 4 June 2009, 10:30 a.m. (lots 1 – 100) and 2 p.m. (lots 101 – 293)
Patrizzi & Co, 595 Madison Avenue, 6th floor, New York

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The venerable Swiss watchmaking house of Vacheron Constantin has presented new variations of its distinguished Overseas Automatic and Overseas Chronograph watches. These models in stainless steel and titanium use the elegant sobriety of grey to ideally emphasize the sophistication inherent in the Overseas design.

Both Overseas watch models feature 42mm stainless steel cases whose form is closely based upon the distinctive Vacheron Constantin 222 watch from 1977. The bezel, a continuation of the Maltese Cross symbol that is the hallmark of the brand, is wrought from titanium and provides a subtle but pleasing contrast against the finely brushed steel. Slate colored dials present the familiar baton hands and wedge-shaped hour markers, all of which display ample luminous material for unquestioned legibility in low-light conditions.

For full details, check out The Watch Lounge

the stolen set of Vacheron Constantin Les Masques

from Cortina seeks to turn tide in time of pain by Jamie Lee, The Business Times|13 January 2009

the stolen Patek Philippe 3939

Christmas gifts do not come more poisoned than this. A trusted senior employee has gone missing, as have timepieces worth almost $8 million. More than two weeks on, the one word that keeps springing to the lips of the general manager of Cortina Holdings, Jeremy Lim, is – painful.

The heist last month – one of the biggest in Singapore in recent memory – caused the company to lose some 386 watches as well as some cash in one clean swoop sometime between Christmas and Boxing Day.

In an exclusive interview with BT yesterday, Mr Lim revealed that the missing timepieces include a Patek Philippe 3939 – worth around half-a-million dollars – and a set of Vacheron Constantin Les Masques watches that cost roughly the same. There are just 25 such sets available worldwide.

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