Prestige (Singapore)

A REGAL PRESENCE

Whether i t’s d aily w ear for a glamorous evening gala or as part of trendy athleisure, f ine watchmakin­g adds sophistica­tion to your style and ensures you rise above the crowd.

- Text: NG HAN MIN, Translatio­n: DARREN HO

As the oldest watchmaker that has been in continuous operation in the world, Vacheron Constantin holds an eminent position in the realm of haute horlogerie. To be frank, when a watchmaker ascends to such heights of excellence, it no longer needs to adhere to short- lived trends or resort to artifice to draw attention. Standing firmly by its identity and maintainin­g its superlativ­e quality are more than sufficient to earn the admiring gaze of its watchmakin­g peers.

Vacheron Constantin has a wealth of designs that cater to the diverse preference­s of watch enthusiast­s today. From the fluid and elegant minimalism of the Traditionn­elle collection to the effortless­ly stylish and sporty Overseas, there’s something to satisfy the desires of collectors of all genders and styles.

OVERSEAS SELF-WINDING

The bezel of the Overseas collection, inspired by the brand’s iconic Maltese cross, sets it apart from other luxury sports watches. The Overseas is a sports- chic model that remembers its roots. Like a gentleman on the green, who maintains his composure during a challengin­g game, the watch exudes an air of elegance.

The latest Overseas Self-winding model is available in a royal blue or gentle pink dial, set with 84 diamonds on the bezel. A little- known fact about the Overseas: a second row of diamonds is added on the notches of the bezel which follows the form of the Maltese cross. To ensure the size and carat of the diamonds are the same, Vacheron Constantin enlarged the bezel slightly to accommodat­e them, set in a prong setting.

OVERSEAS CHRONOGRAP­H

The “panda” or black- and- white chronograp­h display is a much beloved design among watch collectors. This year, the Overseas inducts a new chronograp­h model featuring this particular dial execution.

There are three snailed black counters set against a sunray- brushed silver dial, encircled by a velvety, black minute track on the flange. The distinct colours offer superb legibility on the dial. The hands and hour indexes are crafted from white gold. Super- Luminova is applied on the hour and minute hands as well as the hour markers, with needle hands for the small seconds and chronograp­h totalisers.

The watch is equipped with the self- winding, in- house manufactur­ed Calibre 5200 with a 22K gold rotor. A compass rose

motif is stamped on the rotor, symbolisin­g the spirit of travel and exploratio­n the Overseas exemplifie­s. Strap options for the watch include a three- link, half- Maltese cross bracelet as well as alternativ­es in calf leather or a black Elasto NBR strap, all fitted with interchang­eable lugs for convenienc­e.

PATRIMONY RETROGRADE DAY- DATE

The day- date complicati­on is most often displayed using windows. However, in the style of the Patrimony, this watch uses two retrograde hands to display the date on the upper half, and the day of the week on the lower half of the dial. The unconventi­onal dial arrangemen­t gives the watch a certain gravitas and sophistica­tion. In fact, the retrograde display is an icon of Vacheron Constantin, used in its watches since the 1920s. This is a complicati­on that is appreciate­d by watch aficionado­s deeply familiar with the brand’s history.

The watch case is in 950 platinum with a rose gold or salmon dial colour, giving it a vintage flavour. This watch is produced in only limited numbers each year and available exclusivel­y at Vacheron Constantin boutiques.

TRADITIONN­ELLE TOURBILLON

Sharply- faceted dauphine hands housed in a stepped gold case with a mirror finish. On the dial, applied “bâton de Genève” hour markers are positioned along the chemin de fer minute track. The slim bezel and debossed caseback are all defining characteri­stics of the Traditionn­elle collection. What makes this Traditionn­elle Tourbillon reference stand out is the shade of olive green the dial possesses, emanating the calm of the forest without being gloomy.

At 6 o’clock, a large cut- out reveals a generously- sized tourbillon. The tourbillon carriage is fashioned in the shape of a skeletonis­ed Maltese cross, one of the most recognisab­le features of Vacheron Constantin tourbillon­s. The black oxidised screw on the carriage acts as a small seconds indicator, allowing you to read off the seconds.

The balance of the in- house Calibre 2160 tourbillon movement paces steadily at 2.5Hz – a total of 18,000 vibrations per hour. It runs more slowly than other modern movements, but this steady and unrushed rhythm enables one to admire the balance’s oscillatio­n as the tourbillon carriage rotates even better.

ÉGÉRIE CREATIVE EDITION

The Égérie collection is dedicated to ladies and takes its inspiratio­n from haute couture. Embracing artisanal values of fine craftsmans­hip, every component of each timepiece is painstakin­gly hand- crafted and perfected, placing it on a par with haute couture in every way. The haute horlogerie pieces in the collection feature rare handcrafts rather than technical complicati­ons, with elaborate work on each dial, from tapisserie and engraving to gemsetting and enamelling.

This particular model features a skeletonis­ed and hand- engraved dial in the style of Burano lace, which originates in Venice. In using a combinatio­n of skeletonis­ation, engraving and gemsetting, Vacheron Constantin artisans are able to mimic the look of hand- woven Burano lace with its pearl- like sheen and intricate patterns. The dial’s tapisserie motif is carved by an expert in guilloché à main (rose engine engraving), followed by grand feu enamelling in a deep black, exactly like the pleats on a couture fabric. The delicate floral patterns of the dial are outlined in white gold, as fine as spun lace, and hand- carved by a master jeweller to set each diamond in place. The moonphase window features a plique- à- jour enamel cloud that is merely 0.27mm thick, with mother- of- pearl stars and the Moon.

ÉGÉRIE MOON PHASE

At just 37mm in diameter, this watch with a moonphase complicati­on suits every wrist. Housed in 18K 5N rose gold, the lavish watch features 845 brilliant- cut diamonds that are set all over the case, lugs, dial and the inner bezel which acts as the minute track.

The moonphase display of the Égérie collection is positioned between 1 and 2 o’clock, rather than the bottom of the dial, enhancing its prominence. Two mother- ofpearl moons reveal the waxing and waning of the moon as they appear and hide under a layer of translucen­t sapphire crystal on a midnight blue background decorated with stars. This exquisite complicati­on embellishe­s the bejewelled timepiece with a poetic beauty.

The watch comes with two easily interchang­eable straps in alligator leather or satin fabric, to perfectly complement your wardrobe for any occasion.

PATRIMONY SELF-WINDING

The 1950s saw a mélange of design philosophi­es flourish, but also gave birth to a minimalist, mid- century modernism. The Patrimony collection inherited this aspect of the Vacheron Constantin genetics. This watch features 72 round diamonds on the bezel – a simple yet glamorous touch. The dial is in a gradient shade of ultramarin­e with applied white gold bar and narrow triangular indexes at the quarters, matched with white gold beads for the minute track. With a c ompact date window at 6 o’clock, this watch offers a purity in design that does away with the unnecessar­y and focuses on the essential.

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 ?? ?? From left: Vacheron Constantin Traditionn­elle Tourbillon Patrimony Retrograde Day-date Opposite: Overseas Chronograp­h
From left: Vacheron Constantin Traditionn­elle Tourbillon Patrimony Retrograde Day-date Opposite: Overseas Chronograp­h

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