VACHERON CONSTANTIN
American 1921 Collection Excellence Platine
THE WATCH THAT inspired Vacheron Constantin’s modern-day Historiques American 1921 collection dates from a century ago, during an optimistic and prosperous interwar period. It was the Roaring Twenties, the time of art deco and surrealism, the genesis of the Jazz Age, and when Hollywood’s silent films were taking the world by storm.
Sandrine Donguy, product marketing director at Vacheron Constantin, calls it a “trend towards liberalism”. Watches of that era were transitioning from pockets to wrists and shedding formal traditionalism for bold styles. “It’s also connected to what people were living at the time,” she says of the concurrent societal changes. “There’s this dimension of freedom, originality, boldness, that is expressed also in fashion… all the different industries had changed their direction and the way they talked to customers at that time. The American 1921 reflects this. It is no trench watch or navy diver or meant for a bomber pilot – it has an urban glamour to it that radiates still today.”
The 100th anniversary of this watch is marked by a 100-piece edition in platinum, part of the maison’s Collection Excellence Platine (€52,000), featuring a sandblasted platinum dial in a polished 40mm case. The numerals are not printed as they usually are, but are applied white gold, polished as well to maintain the contrast of textures. Even the dark blue alligator strap participates in the platinum theme, with stitching in a thread made out of silk and platinum.
The American 1921 looks as effortlessly stylish today as it did in 2008 and in 1921. There is something timeless to the curves of the case and the simplicity of the dial, but with a flair that is not found in traditionally bound timepieces, making it one of the most covetable watches in the Vacheron Constantin collection.