Vacheron Constantin celebrates 270th anniversary

[SINGAPORE] Good news for those still in the queue for Vacheron Constantin’s Historiques 222. The brand has rolled out a stainless-steel version of the hot timepiece to kick off a year-long celebration of its 270th anniversary.

One of the oldest luxury watch brands, Vacheron Constantin is also among the most prestigious Swiss names in watchmaking. It is one of the holy trinity of watchmakers, along with Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe.

Audemars Piguet, which turns 150 this year, is partying as well. To mark the occasion, it has unveiled new models which include the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked “150th Anniversary”. Patek Philippe, in turn, will be 186 years old this year.

Meanwhile, independent watchmaker Laurent Ferrier is also toasting its 15th birthday with the Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue.

Historiques 222

The new Historiques 222 in steel (S$46,100) is cheaper than the current yellow gold model (S$106,100), introduced in 2022. Collectors also favour steel over gold and, what’s more, the new watch holds greater value, given that it was created specially for the brand’s anniversary.

The Historiques 222 was first launched in 1977 to mark Vacheron Constantin’s 222nd anniversary. Sports watches then were mainly professional models for pilots, divers and explorers. The newcomer departed from the convention at that time, but it captured a new cultural mood that blurred the line between formality and sportiness.

Flaunting an integrated bracelet with large hexagonal central links, the Historiques 222 has a steel case that features a functional construction with a flat table, crowned by a prominent fluted bezel. The case is also engraved with a Maltese cross at five o’clock.

The slender timepiece is powered by an even slimmer automatic movement that, because of the monoblock case, has to be fitted from the top. Measuring just 3.05 mm, it was the world’s thinnest full-rotor self-winding movement.

The “Jumbo”, as the first Historiques 222 is nicknamed, is making a comeback equipped with a new movement that tells time more accurately. The bracelet is redesigned for greater comfort. The case-back, which bears a signature representing Vacheron Constantin’s 270th anniversary, has a transparent sapphire crystal that shows off the in-house movement. Engraved on the movement’s oscillating weight is the original 222 logo.

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On the blue dial framed in the 37 mm steel case, the date window is shifted towards the centre so it is no longer in the way of the minutes track.

Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked “150th Anniversary”

This new high complication, inspired by a historical openworked perpetual calendar pocket watch, showcases Audemars Piguet’s rich legacy in design, material and technical exploration. It is also the last timepiece to be fitted with Calibre 5135, the automatic movement that has powered the brand’s 41 mm openworked perpetual calendars for nearly a decade. 

Limited to 150 pieces, the 41 mm watch is dressed for the occasion, with the case-back engraved with the “150” logo. On the blue-toned dial, the moon-phase indication (based on a Nasa photograph) harmoniously integrates an “Audemars Piguet’ signature which is inspired by historical documents. 

Priced at CHF 175,000 (S$264,250), the anniversary timepiece is crafted from ultra-light but sturdy titanium, while the bezel, case-back and bracelet studs are cut out of bulk metallic glass (BMG), which is highly resistant to wear and corrosion. On the watch, the titanium is given a satin-brushed finish with polished chamfers, to bring out an extra shine. The BMG is also mirror-polished to reveal its unwavering glow.

Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue

First unveiled in 2016, this two-time-zone watch powered by a self-winding movement is not just for travel, but is also an artistic interpretation of the earth by night, featuring continents and oceans on its dial.

Revived to honour Laurent Ferrier’s 15th anniversary, the timepiece is given a brand-new enamel dial. The earlier watch was a demonstration of the brand’s expertise in engraving. In the new model, engraving gives way to the art of miniature painting. Price: S$149,120