Vacheron Constantin Contemporary Patrimony Bi-Retrograde Day Date

Purity is a question of proportion but refinement a question of taste. Recognized as the ultimate expression of modern horological classicism, the Contemporary Patrimony line powerfully affirms this refined kind of styling, which has become the Vacheron Constantin hallmark. An Haute Horlogerie timepiece with classic, aesthetic lines, the timepiece Contemporary Patrimony bi-retrograde day-date is a real Vacheron Constantin thoroughbred. It has a 42.5 mm 18K rose gold case and has baton hands, four polished 18kt gold triangular hour markers shaped at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock, and a minute-circle of applied gold cabochons. The display functions are clearly legible thanks to the generous proportions of the opaline silvered dial and the meticulous care brought to each detail conveys an overall impression of harmony.

It uses the caliber 2460R31R7 automatic mechanical movement which has hour, minute, date and day functions. An innovative ceramic ball-bearing system drives its 22K gold guilloché rotor. The strap is alligator leather and the clasp features Vacheron Constantin's 18kt rose gold Maltese Cross which also appears on the crown. Embossed with the Poinçon de Genève hallmark, this classic ‘hand down to generation’ time-piece is priced at 13,000 euros (approximately $16,800).

History of Vacheron Constantin

The creation of the company was first dated to 1785 when the Swiss watchmaker traced the company's foundation to 1785. The company was headed by Abraham Vacheron duging that period. However, later they have traced their history to the year 1755 when they have discovered the Jean Marc Vacheron's contract.

Jean Marc Vacheron the founder of the company was born in Geneva and he opened his workshop in 1755. He was 24 years old when he started his business. Being a good businessman he was also a great craftsman and in the year 1770 his company created its first complication watch. Then after nine years Vacheron has created the first engine – turned dials.

From 1785 to 1810 the header of the company was the son of Jean – Mark Vacheron, Abraham. Under his control the company had survived the French Revolution and was able to make more and more masterpieces. Later on, there were many headers of this company and they all made this company prosper.

When Francois Constantin became the partner of Jacques – Barthelemy they began selling their products to other countries especially overseas. The company was renamed to "Vacheroon & Constantin" and its main market was North America.

The history of the name of the company continued and then in 1970 the "&" was deleted from the name of the company and there is only "Vacheron Constantin" nowadays.

1755 Foundation by Jean-Marc Vacheron.

1819 François Constantin joins the company.

1839 Hired as a production engineer, Georges-Auguste Leschot revolutionised watchmaking techniques by inventing the pantograph.

1880 Appearance of the “Maltese Cross” in the Vacheron Constantin logotype, based on a movement part fixed to the barrel and which made it possible to limit the degree of winding required for the latter.

1906 Inauguration of the very first Vacheron Constantin boutique, which is still located today on Quai de l’Ile in Geneva.

1935 Creation of one of the most complex pocket-watches ever made by Vacheron Constantin. Ordered by King Farouk of Egypt, this masterpiece took five years to create.

1955 200th anniversary and launch of the Patrimony, the world’s thinnest mechanical watch.

1979 Carved directly from a one-kilo solid gold ingot, the Kallista is set with 118 diamonds totalling 130 carats - five years of patient work. At the time, this was the most expensive watch ever sold.

1996 Vacheron Constantin joins the Richemont Group.

2004 Opening of the new head office and the Vacheron Constantin Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva and renovation of the brand’s historic head office: “La Maison Vacheron Constantin”, including an exclusive Boutique, a heritage center and the “Métiers d’Art” workshops.

2005 250th anniversary of the brand. 2005 Creation of the Tour de l’Ile, the world’s most complicated watch with double-faced display featuring an unprecedented combination of 16 horological complications and astronomical indications, and the Saint Gervais, a watch combining for the very first time a perpetual calendar, a tourbillon and over ten days’ power reserve.

2006 Vacheron Constantin pays tribute to the most noble, rare and precious of metals with the Vacheron Constantin Collection Excellence Platine