Vacheron Constantin

I had the privilege this past May of joining other members of the watch press in Geneva to attend a presentation of the three special edition watches that Vacheron Constantin is creating for its New York Boutique.Now that the boutique is officially open for business, I can finally share these extraordinary timepieces with you.

All three watches are variations on existing references in current production.

It is no surprise that Vacheron Constantin would take the Historiques American 1921 as one model for the New York boutique, as the original design was created for the American market. The 1921 is one of the most sought after watches being made today, with its whimsical tilting of the dial from the usual orientation, exclusive manufacture movement, and elegant size. The standard production piece is in rose gold and has black printed numbers on a silvered dial. This boutique edition features a yellow gold case(more true to the original watches of the 1920’s), and beige colored Arabic numerals and hands that also mimic the original design, and recall another watch with an American connection: the Corps of Engineers pocket watches from WWI.

The beige color imparts a vintage flavor to the watch. The New York Boutique Historiques American 1921 is limited to 64 timepieces.

The Overseas Chronograph Perpetual Calendar is based on a model that was only introduced this year, and which is for sale exclusively at Vacheron Constantin boutiques worldwide and limited to 80 watches. 

Photo of Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph Perpetual Calendar for worldwide boutiques

courtesy of Alex Ghotbi

 

The New York Boutique will get twenty watches of its own,which feature the red white and blue of the American flag. This watch is stunning!

 

 

Like all men’s Overesas models, the case is 42 mm in diameter and protects the automatic movement from magnetic fields by surrounding it with a soft-iron core. Even with the calendar corrector pushers along the side of the case, water resistance is still 150 meters.

 

 

While it also comes with a brown barenia strap, I think it looks fantastic on the blue alligator strap with a sporty red leather inner lining.

The third watch in the NY Boutique collection is a unique Patrimony Traditionnelle Caliber 2755. This masterpiece showcases Vacheron Constantin at its technical and aesthetic best, combining tourbillon, perpetual calendar, and minute repeater, along with power reserve, which is indicated on the back. The sound of this particular repeater, like with all caliber 2755 watches, is strong and resonant with both a pleasing pitch and pace.

 

 

The dial of this rose gold watch is slightly different from the usual production pieces, with a platinum color .

 

The case is unique with the hand engraved pattern along the crown side and on the repeater lever, taking its inspiration from the design of the building at 64 Madison that houses Vacheron Constantin’s New York boutique.

 

I am looking forward to making a trip down to New York in the near future to visit the boutique, spend more time with these exclusive New York Boutique watches, and perhaps see other rarely seen watches that can make the boutique shopping experience exceptional.

 

Bill

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