There was a lot happening in the horology world during the 1950s. Movements were developing and becoming notably slimmer, and a timepiece’s design was as important as the mechanics that run it.
With this in mind, Vacheron Constantin launched references 6179 and 6187 in 1957, where ultra-thin manual-winding 1001 and 1003 calibres were incorporated within a minimalist dress watch.
“Vacheron Constantin’s history is dotted with timepieces in which the quest for thinness holds pride of place,” says Christian Selmoni, the brand’s style and heritage director.
“Slimness is not just a question of technique, but also a design philosophy that embeds our creations in a rich vein of elegance running through successive ages.”
Adored by VC and collectors alike, those retro models prompted the maison to launch Patrimony in 2004, a collection of timepieces inspired by the style’s technical prowess and beauty. Marking the assortment were their round cases, slim bezels as well as refined, domed dials with slender, curved applied hour-markers, baton-type hands and ‘pearl’ minutes track.
Twenty years later, a new member of the family has been released to celebrate its anniversary, designed in collaboration with the French designer Ora ïto.
Driving the hours, minutes, seconds and date is an in-house self-winding calibre 2450. But in keeping with the simplicity of the collection, this limited edition (there’s only 100 available) comes in a 18k yellow-gold case with a coordinated dial topped with concentric circles. Vacheron Constantin were going for gold – fitting for an Olympic year – as it makes the applied hour-markers, ‘pearl’ minutes track as well as its hands.
No doubt that this will inspire another watch seventy years down the line, too.