Vacheron Constantin’s latest chapter puts the hype in Horology.
Images courtesy of Vacheron Constantin
Newness! Newness! Newness! Let’s lay down some context here. It’s Watches and Wonders Week, which for the horologically uninitiated, non-Swiss, zero clue about watches amongst you, consider it Couture season in the fashion calendar. It’s a time when the encyclopaedia of watch brands (one for each letter of the alphabet I’ll have you know), congregate to debut their new launches for the year ahead. It’s exciting, all bets are on, and the ‘will they, won’t they’ chatter fills the streets of the watchmaking capital.
Kicking off the catwalk, as I like to think of it, the esteemed Swiss watchmakers’ lead the charge with a mammoth roster of newness that I’ve had to add another page to my grail list. A lottery ticket has never been needed more. Get to grips with the latest and greatest inauguration of the 2024 season. Drum roll, please…
Grand Lady Kalla High Jewellery Watch
Images courtesy of Vacheron Constantin
When Gwen Stefani sang ‘What You Waiting For?’ back in 2004 (shudders with wrinkles), it turns out we wouldn’t get the answer until two decades later, but the answer is, in fact, this. A major mic drop moment, the Grand Lady Kalla watch nods to the brand’s iconography throughout the 70s when the Kallista range was in full bloom. Opulent and then some, 131 diamonds make up this haute joaillerie masterpiece. Impressive enough, but what makes this model earn the spotlight this week is the adaptability of the timepiece. Leaning into the renaissance of the watch as a moveable object, be it wrist, neck, brooch, necklace (kind regards to Rihanna for inciting the movement once more), the watch can also be worn on a sautoir necklace, paved with, you guessed it, more diamonds. It doesn’t just double up in function, rather quadruples, though, with options to remove the watch from the bracelet or necklace to emphasise the transformative powers.
Overseas
Images courtesy of Vacheron Constantin
Confirming its spot in the pantones of the year, Vacheron Constantin brings the warming hues of green to their signature Overseas collection, a first for the brand. Think chic yet sporty, you can bag yourself one of these green-eyed glories in 35mm gem set, 41mm self-winding with date display, a 42.5mm chronograph, finished off with a 41mm dual time iteration. Fair to say, you’re spoiled for choice. And in the interest of today’s modern consumer, with versatility a precedent, you can shapeshift with your watch with a calfskin leather strap or green rubber too. Green means good.
Overseas Tourbillon Titanium
Images courtesy of Vacheron Constantin
Much like the watch industry’s luxury neighbours (we’re looking at you fashion), trends come and go. But titanium seems to be the top ticket when it comes to all things watches that’s here to stay. For the most part, its attraction comes down to its lightweight capabilities, because sometimes, let’s be frank, a watch can look great, but what’s the point if you’re taking it off every time you turn to type on your laptop. Expanding its homage to chemical elements. This all new model, complete with a tourbillon (the fidget-spinner-looking-thing on a watch that is counteracting the effects of gravity so a watch is more accurate) boasts a super slim movement, ushered towards the travel-dedicated wrists amongst you, that light to keep things nice and easy.
Patrimony manual-winding and Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date
Images courtesy of Vacheron Constantin
I’m probably about to say something blasphemous that the watch gods will burden me with karma for, but when it comes to donning the ultimate round watch, the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony fits the bill. (I still love you Patek Phillipe Calatrava). Which is why I’m thrilled by the news of the Patrimony extension, now with three new iterations that boast subtle silver-toned dials and fresh strap colours that make me realise I’m treating straps all too often as an afterthought. Celebrating 20 years of this iconic model, it comes in at a slicker 39mm this time around, with two manual models donning a closed caseback for you to inscribe “Property of X, Hands Off” on the back, while a new white gold model with moon phase and a retrograde dates is complimented by a humbling olive-green alligator strap. There’ll be no need for any flying to the moon here, just VacheronConstantin.com will do.
Égérie Moonphase x Yiqing Yin
Images courtesy of Vacheron Constantin
I’ve saved the best till last on purpose. Rarely do I get speechless. My friends can attest to that. But I’ve finally met my silencer: the Égérie Moonphase x Yiqing Yin. I could wax poetic on how a watch isn’t just a tool, but if there’s any model out there right now that causes me to persuade you, it’s this fine thang. Epitomising couture craftsmanship at its most optimum, the Égérie – The Pleats of Time watch, created in collaboration with artist Yiqing Yin, unites three disciplines: haute horology, haute couture and haute parfumerie. In such a pairing, you get a watch that fastens with a unique embroidered strap containing mother-of-pearl shards, but here’s the part that makes you question the boundaries of human invention. How so? The watch has its own smell. Not the kind a sports watch that’s accompanied you on a run has, but a unique scent crafted into the straps of the watch that is released in tandem with wrist movements. For any Colette fans in the house (rip), you’ll know the power olfactory accessorising has on the memory. Scent latches itself onto our memories, and this is a watch that deserves to be remembered forever. I have nothing more to add to this, due to my sheer awestruckness. Other than the fact that I will relish the day that this watch breathes on my own arm.
