In 1886, Geneva launched an authority
for inspecting watches manufactured and carried the sign of Geneva after a
series of counterfeit models and copies increasingly spread, compromising the
reputation of the Genevan watch making.
The Official Hallmark since then, is
submitted by this authority only to watchmakers within the territory of the
canton of Geneva. With a particularly demanding standards in terms of
production and excellence, covering every part and component of the movement
they ensure both accuracy and dependability of the movement, the finish the
polish and overall beauty.
Vacheron Constantin earned its first
certification in 1901 and has ranked since then among a handful watch
manufacturers complying the demanding conditions horological excellence calls
for.
Since its objective is to create
aesthetically and mechanically impeccable timepieces – a guarantee of
exceptional longevity, reliability and precision – the company has been able to
push the design and finish of its timepieces to extremes.
From Research and development to
component finishing to final adjustment, a spirit of craftsmanship backed by
efficient industrial facilities confirm Vacheron Constantin’s position as one
of the leading proponents of the Hallmark of Geneva.
The legend started in the early 1755
by Jean Marc Vacheron who decided to open his own watch making workshop.
He
founded a business that was to become, two and a half centuries later, one of
the most renowned in the science of time.
15 years later he created his first
complication watches.
In 1810 the grandson of Jean Marc,
Jaques Barthelemy started the first exports to France and Italy.
In 1819 Jaques Barthelemy together
with Francois Constantin created the company name Vacheron et Constantin.
In the same year the company motto
was created from Francois Constantin in one of his letters to Vacheroncontaining the words : “Do better if possible and that is always possible”.
In 1872 Geneva’s Observatory hosted
a precision contest for timepieces when Vacheron Constantin entered a number of
its watches and won. The first prize in a long line of awards and international
recognition.
The Maltese Cross as a logo was
adopted in 1880 taken from the shape of a component of the movement fixed to
the barrel.
The first Boutique was launched in
1906 at the same place as it is today in Quai de l’Ile, in Geneva.
In 1935 Vacheron Constantin created
the most complex pocket watch ever sold and was commissioned by King Farouk of
Egypt. It took 5 years to make while in 1955 they designed and built one of the
thinnest watches ever produced with a caliber only 1.64 mm deep.
The innovations have just started! In 1972 the daring design for that period, “Diplome du Prestige de la France” appeared and awarded in Paris.
In 1994 the collectible watch in memory of Mercator (mathematician and geographer) and the 400th anniversary of his death was launched, featuring maps of the hemispheres and a pair of compass like, watch hands.
In 1996 Vacheron introduced its highly successful Overseas sports line while the Richemont group acquires the entire share capital of the company.
The launch of the first collection
for women comes in 2003 named “Egerie”.
The New Headquarters and Manufacture
Vacheron Constantin, located in Plan les Ouates, Geniva is called “Chemin du
Tourbillon” and opened in 2004.
In 2006 the very first VacheronConstantin boutique celebrates its 100th anniversary and still located en
“l’Ile, the brand’s historic birthplace at the heart of Geneva.
© Les Bons Viveurs 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment