KIH[Purist]
12044
Vacheron Constantin Ginza Boutique Opening - First in Japan!
Dec 13, 2014,06:48 AM
Believe or not, there has never been one in Japan for such a long time - Vacheron Constantin is one of the oldest brands for Japanese market and the relationship is so tight that they often issued Japan Edition in the past (so did IWC, Patek, etc.... good old days ).
Why no Vacheron Constantin boutique in Japan - it was always a topic among watch lovers in Japan and one big question......unanswered... until now! I asked the same question to Mr. Gouget, now CEO of Vacheron Constantin Japan, and he has been telling me that they have not found the suitable space in the suitable location. But they have, finally.
So, let's take a look at the boutique (opened Dec. 9th) and the special exhibit, as well as Tokyo Boutique Edition models.
Beautiful outside - two-story boutique, on the super main street of Ginza.
The display windows on the street side.
Heritage Exhibition is going on.
Inside - Ground floor.
Nice taste & atmosphere. I would like these on my apartment walls, too!
Of course..... I would want one at home
There is also Customer Service corner, where a watchmaker can do simple adjustment, etc. on the spot.
On the wall.....
The display case of the current line-up.
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And, Heritage Collection on the floor.....
2005 "Tour de L'ille" double face men's wrist watch. 250th Anniversary model. Minute repeater, striking mechanism, torque display, perpetual calendar, moonphase, tourbillon, power reserve, second time zone, equation of time, sun rise/ sun set indication, sky chart..... everything one can think of... Wow.
1955 Pocket watch with perpetual calendar, moonphase.
1949 Pocket watch with world time.
... and going up to the second floor and the exhibition continues.....
1755 First known pocket watch created by the founder of the manufacture....
1822 Pocket Watch
1835 Pocket Watch, with engraving and guilloche.
1846 Pocket Watch with quarter repeater.
1920 Pocket Watch, with guilloche, engraved, and champleve enamel decoration.
1910 Pocket Watch, hunter case, engraving.
1854 Pocket Watch, hunter case, engraved.
1887 Lady's pendant watch with chain.
1929 Pocket Watch with jumping hours.
1926 Pocket Watch with jumping hours, day and date.
1909 Royal Chronometer Pocket Watch.
1935 Gentlemen's wrist watch, tonneau shaped.
1951 Gentlemen's wristwatch with fan-shaped lugs
1957 Gentlemen's wristwatch, cambered square-shaped, automatic.
1979 "222" Gentlemen's wristwatch.
1972 "Prestige de la France" lady's wristwatch.
1960 Ultra-thin gentlemen's wristwatch.
Wow, what an exhibition. Like having brought Vacheron museum here.
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And, now, relaxing space on the second floor...
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Here are "LIMITED EDITION TOKYO" - Three models.
You will notice... somehow, this market likes black dials (me, too!).
1. TRADITIONNELLE (Ref. 82172)
38mm, Pink Gold case, 7.77mm thick, Cal. 4400AS
LE of 20!
Pay particular attention to the guilloche pattern - surely the creation of this dial involved the members of "Metiers d'Art".
Very subtle, "secret" engraving of "LIMITED EDITION TOKYO" on the top of the watch dial.
Winding feel is a bit heavy, but very smooth.... nice....
Love the size!
2. TRADITIONNELLE 14-DAY TOURBILLON (Ref. 89000) 42mm Pink Gold Case, 12.22mm thick. Cal. 2260
LE of THREE (3) !
336 hours (14 days) power reserve with quad-barrel inside.
Clicking feel of winding is very nice - not heavy at all to hand wind.
Again, look at this guilloche dial done by the craftsman of Metiers d'Art!
Not bad at all
Beautifully done tourbillon.
Again, "secret" engrave "LIMITED EDITION TOKYO" on the top of the dial.
3. OVERSEAS DUAL TIME (Ref. 47450) 42mm SS case, 12.45mm thick, cal. 1222 SC
Anti-Magnetic, Automatic.
Screw in crown, of course. I was impressed, first, the screw in/out is so smooth that you wouldn't feel when it got unscrewed or being screwed in.... And the winding feel is butterly smooth for hand winding..... Wow, handling is believing. Very, very, well made.
White gold dial, and again, look at this guilloche pattern in the subdials - by Metiers d'Art craftsman.
I was really hooked by this..... Never thought Overseas wold be this nice....
From the case to the bracelet - forms nice curve to fit the wrist.
Overseas Iconic Amerigo Vespucci ship on the case back.
... and less "subtle" LIMITED EDITION TOKYO logo on the power reserve indicator. With Pink Gold second hand... nice.....
Perhaps, one of the best, if not THE best, bracelet out in the market today.
Thank you so much, Ms. Mori, Boutique Manager, and Mr. Gouget, the brand CEO of Vacheron Constantin Japan, and all the boutique staff.
Are these Champagne glasses in front of us?
As always, sorry for my longish report, but I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Best,
Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2014-12-15 03:58:14