Vacheron Constantin, one of the indisputable historical references and one of the world of fine watchmaking (the result of the association in 1819 of Jacques Barthélémi Vacheron, grandson of the founder, with the businessman François Constantin is the oldest manufacture) has contributed in its most With 260 years of tradition, unique watches with all kinds of complications, paying attention not only to masculine tastes, but also to women’s demands.
Aware that they, women, have shown an interest in watchmaking from the beginning (without ignoring practical aspects such as the calendar or the chime) and celebrating that they were precisely the authentic precursors of the wristwatch, the Swiss firm has left its mark in every era. From the first ladies’ pocket watches (from the early 18th century) to elegant contemporary creations, Vacheron Constantin’s women’s creations have reflected the evolution of artistic sensibility over time, without ignoring trends and fashion.
They are watches that testify to an aesthetic in perpetual renewal and a technical creativity that draw the particular anatomy of the house whose first commissions (as can be seen in the Vacheron archives) include a feminine one in sculpted yellow gold, with repeating quarters and eccentric small seconds hand, dating back to 1838. The decades that followed witnessed a succession of creations, sometimes with horological complications and frequently with metals and precious stones in sabonete cases, which eventually led to the appearance of the original wristwatches, a feminine accessory whose first example in the Vacheron Constantin collection dates from 1889.
Now, to this incredible legacy, the manufacture that has just opened its first and so far the only boutique in Madrid (at number 68 Calle Serrano and with the windows designed by the expert artist in light and time that is Mercedes Lara) adds new two models Traditionnelle and Patrimony.
These exceptional pieces can be seen at the Serrano headquarters where exceptional pieces from the Heritage collection can also be admired. A tour that starts from two gold-worked pocket watches, dating from the early 19th century, going through the classic and timeless elegance of the 1930s and Art Deco, to the innovative and sporty character of the already converted icon of fashion. house: a 1996 Overseas model. In total, an exquisite selection of six watches that reflect the DNA of Vacheron Constantin and its pursuit of excellence throughout its more than two centuries of history.
With the arrival of the 20th century, the feminine creations of the House constituted admirable representations of the spirit of the times, initially inspired by Art Nouveau, and later by Art Deco, with a clear predisposition towards jewelery watches. The collaboration with Verger Frères, the house’s French agent, which lasted until 1938, also brought its share of novelties dedicated to women, with pieces featuring cameos inspired by Asian art or ancient Greece.
Starting in 1940, women began to wear watches on their wrists almost exclusively. The geometric lines of the Art Deco period gradually gave way to more voluptuous forms. Designed as timepieces, secret watches, with covers concealing the hour face, enjoyed great popularity during this time, and Vacheron Constantin demonstrated impressive stylistic flair through designs that vividly reflected the modern era.
Following in the footsteps of the 1970s, Vacheron Constantin dared to experiment with women’s watches in new and uninhibited ways, before adopting the sportier lines of the Overseas range, dedicated to the contemporary woman. Additionally, she designed the Traditionnelle and Patrimony collections as a means of transferring technical sophistication and aesthetic refinement to the field of time measurement for women. This way of acting has been accentuated recently with the launch of Égérie watches; Inspired by Haute Couture, they are a manifestation of watchmaking expertise and a delicate interpretation of feminine codes confirmed uninterruptedly throughout the centuries.
