Vacheron Constantin Patrimony

Purity meets Manufacture-style elegance in this beautifully nuanced interpretation of the Patrimony collection enshrining the full range of Vacheron Constantin talents. An apparently classic yet intrinsically complex watch offering peerless refinement, intended for the most expert and discerning connoisseurs.

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony manual-winding, hours and minutes, Calibre 1400

This slender 6.8 mm thick case asserts its own demands, such as curving hands sweeping around the gently domed dial and embracing its own curves. Despite the constraints and aesthetic tensions of this distinctive design, the watch is endowed with a comfortable 40-hour power reserve. The in-house-crafted spirit is also reflected in the applied hour-markers, including cone-shaped quarter-hour-markers engaging in an elegant dialogue with the signature ‘pearl’ minute track.

The Patrimony collection had never yet been graced with azure. The sunburst finish lends a fascinating shimmer to the subtle midnight blue shade of the dial. The pin buckle securing the midnight blue alligator leather strap picks up the Vacheron Constantin emblem immediately recognisable by connoisseurs. The solid caseback may be personalised at will to make this watch THE companion of precious and elegant moments.

Calibre 1400 remains a model of efficiency by fitting all 98 finely decorated components inside a space merely mere 2.6 mm thick. Corresponding to a 4 Hertz frequency, its oscillating rate of 28,800 vibrations/hour guarantees first-rate precision.

Patrimony self-winding hours, minutes, seconds and date, Calibre 2450 Q6

For those who prefer the convenience of a self-winding movement, Vacheron Constantin offers a version in the same shade of blue, displaying the hour, minute and seconds, along with a date window.

This ineffably chic watch proclaims its refinement through its transparent caseback revealing the 196 components of Calibre 2450 Q6, including a 22K gold oscillating weight. The superlative movement finishing thereby accentuates the wearer’s pleasure, while the alligator leather strap and its pin buckle reflect the timeless style of watches inspired by the aesthetic codes of the 1950s.

Beating at the rate of 28,800 vibrations/hour – the best compromise between the quest for precision and a determination to ensure long-term reliability –, Calibre 2450 Q6 enjoys a full 40 hours of operating automomy. Its finishes meet the highest craftsmanship standards upheld by Vacheron Constantin. Polished, bevelled, burnished and chamfered, the teeth of each wheel, each pivot and each sharp angle reflect the values of inner beauty cherished by the Maison.

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony  retrograde day-date, self-winding Calibre 2460 R31R7/2

As original as it is technically complicated, the double retrograde display of the Patrimony retrograde day-date is a delight to observe during the transition from the 31st of one month to the 1st of the next, or from Sunday to Monday.

At 42.5 mm in diameter and just 9.7mm thick, this horological wonder bears the imprint of the talented watchmakers within the Manufacture who have so skilfully preserved the pleasing proportions of the Patrimony collection. By entrusting the single crown with controlling all functions, they have eliminated any protuberance and thus maintained the smooth lines of this historical case. The alligator strap fitted with a folding clasp ensures the continuity of the delightfully 1950s-tinged style.

The undeniably complex self-winding Calibre 2460 R31R7/2 is visible through the transparent sapphire crystal case-back. Its 276 components operate within a thickness of just 5.4 mm, while ensuring optimal reliability and power reserve.

As part of the Holy Trinity (of Watchmaking), you can expect Vacheron Constantin to have a long history of producing the world’s finest tourbillon watches. From the Saint-Gervais timepiece, that combined a perpetual calendar and a 250-hour power reserve, to the famous and rare Tour de l’Ile timepiece, that was named for the historic home of the company’s name sake, we can confirm that the company is well-versed in the complication. But, the new 41mm Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Tourbillon goes above and beyond anything seen in the history books.

To give you a little more of an idea for how far this new timepiece has come, we must first look at it’s predecessor, the Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-Day Tourbillon. Released at SIHH in 2012, the 14-Day debuted a stunning tourbillon mechanism with a cage inspired by the brand’s emblem, the Maltese Cross, that also increased the case height of the timepiece out of the range of ultra slim. At the time, it also showcased a classic 42mm dial and an impressive two-week power reserve on a manual winding movement.

Unlike the former, the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Tourbillon features an automatic movement with an 80 hour reserve – and yes, we did the math. While that may seem like a negative selling point, remember that this type of moment is constantly being wound as you move throughout the day which means you don’t need to stop to reset the time. The new Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Tourbillon showcases a peripherally mounted 22k gold rotor engineered allow for a slim profile (5.65mm to be exact) while still allowing the owner to sneak a peak at the movement. This peripheral rotor tourbillon, a combination not often seen in the market, is located at the 6’o clock position and is the cherry on top to Vacheron’s own caliber 2160. The rotor is finished with hobnailing, the company’s name and the Maltese cross and the entire movement was developed in compliance with the criteria that allows the watch (and the brand) to carry the Hallmark of Geneva.

As the newest edition to the Patrimony Traditionnelle family, this timepiece continues the simplistic look and feel that characterizes the collection. Other than the viewport for the tourbillon complication, the silvered opaline dial features the company’s name and Maltese Cross at the 12 o’clock position. It’s also adorned by rose gold hands and a printed track for minutes and seconds. Available in rose gold and limited edition platinum, the timepiece is completed with a transparent caseback, sapphire glass and dark brown alligator strap with a deployment buckle. One thing to note is that while a 41mm diameter might seem large for a gentleman’s dress watch, but in our opinion the quality of design and proportion of details allow for easy wear on the wrist.

There is something about a tourbillon that evokes a must-see reaction out of friends and colleagues and the new Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Tourbillon is no exception. Stop by our San Francisco location and judge this work of expert engineering for yourself.