“Les Collectionneurs” in Taipei, from 25th Oct to 30th Nov, 2021

Source:  Images and content by Vacheron Constantin

• A representative selection of vintage watches covering the entire 20th century;
• Taipei, 25th Oct to 30th Nov, at Vacheron Constantin Taipei 101 boutique
• Models “hunted down” by Vacheron Constantin’s experts, then restored and delivered with a certificate of authenticity and a two-year guarantee.

Taipei, Oct 2021 – Chosen with patience and talent by the Maison’s heritage department specialists, vintage watches covering the entire 20th century are now part of the aptly named “Les Collectionneurs” collection. The latter continues to evolve over time and is regularly offered for sale to brand aficionados at dedicated events organised in Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world. “Les Collectionneurs” models all come with a certificate of authenticity and a two-year guarantee – an offer unmatched in the watchmaking world.

When vintage is second nature

e notion of vintage is second nature to Vacheron Constantin. It is expressed through a strong attach-ment to everything relating to its heritage. In more than 260 years of existence, the Maison has accumulated a unique set of archives in the field of time measurement. Engaged in uninterrupted production since its origins, the Manufacture is also able to take care of – and restore if necessary – any watch from its workshops, whatever its age. A closer look at its archives and its private collection of more than 1,500 timepieces offers an excellent insight into this historical depth and the means used to nurture it. From the watchmakers and craftsmen of its restoration workshop to the historians of the Style & Heritage team, the experts at Vacheron Constantin possess all the necessary skills to best serve this vintage watchmaking that now enjoys such an excellent reputation.

“Les Collectionneurs”
Vacheron Constantin quickly felt the need to unite connoisseurs and aficionados of the Maison around this same passion, leading to the creation of “Les Collectionneurs”: an approach consisting in using the Manufacture’s considerable resources to gather and restore a series of historical Vacheron Constantin pieces, subsequently offered for sale at dedicated events in Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world.
“Les Collectionneurs” represents another facet of Vacheron Constantin,” comments Christian Selmoni, Style & Heritage Director. “The collection perpetuates this precious link between past and present, enabling our clientele of connoisseurs and collectors to acquire restored vintage pieces directly through the Maison, which is a real guarantee. As for the events organised around the world to unveil these pieces, they attract both seasoned collectors and young generations eager to delve more deeply int watchmaking history.

Watches ready for a new life

e Vacheron Constantin Heritage team works to bring together these vintage watches, whether pocket or wristwatches. The objective is to create a representative range of timepieces offered by Vacheron Constantin over the years. All kinds of channels are used in order to locate them: auction rooms, personal contacts with private individuals – bearing in mind that an expert eye is decisive in the choice of these timepieces, be they simple or striking models, calendars or chronographs… Pocket watches mainly covering the years 1910 to 1930 and wristwatches prior to 1970 – with a preference for the period from 1940 to 1960 – are then subjected to a dual appraisal. First of all, a historical evaluation is undertaken in order to authenticate the piece with reference to the in-house archives, which have been listing cases and movements by serial number for a century and a half. Then comes the technical assessment aimed at determining which interventions may be necessary, from simply cleaning the watch to its restoration – the objective being to preserve these timepieces in a state as close as possible to that of their origins. If necessary, they are restored to working order using period compo-nents, of which Vacheron Constantin maintains a large stock, or else reproduced the old-fashioned way and in identical form within the Manufacture. Once the process is complete, each timepiece is accompa-nied by a certificate of authenticity and a two-year guarantee, the latter being the same as that delivered with all models within the Maison’s standard collections.

Models unveiled at dedicated events

roughout the year, Vacheron Constantin organises special events or exhibitions of historical models from its private collection in its boutiques. These are all special experiences that give connoisseurs an opportunity to discover this “Les Collectionneurs” collection; and Vacheron Constantin’s experts a chance to share the history related to the “experience” of these models. Thanks to its extremely well documented archives, the Maison can retrace the destiny of these timepieces that have survived through the ages as testimony to their time and to its watchmaking expertise. Rare and doubtless unique for those who cherish them, these Vacheron Constantin watches bearing the patina of age as a badge of honour are thus ready for a new life.

Watches highlight
18K YELLOW GOLD ULTRA THIN MINUTE – REPEATER WRISTWATCH (Ref 11761 )- 1951
the Reference 4261 combines an impressive thinness and superb aesthetics.

Th e minute repeater mechanism was the third type of complication to be miniaturised enough to fit into the space of a wristwatch after the calendar and the chronograph mechanisms. It has been developed around 1930. The model 4261 was the first ultra-thin minute repeater produced by Vacheron Constantin. When it was launched in 1943 it was considered as one of the thinnest minute repeaters ever made (thickness of movement 3.28 mm, case: 5.25 mm). Less than 40 pieces were produced between 1944-1951, in yellow gold, pink gold and platinum. This watch is one of the last 
pieces produced.
Th e Reference 4261 is most probably the most sought-after Vacheron Constantin timepieces, from the collector’s perspective.

18K YELLOW GOLD ROYAL CHRONOMETER (Ref 12230 )- 1963

The first «Royal Chronometer» wristwatch was introduced in 1953 (model 4907). Directly inspired by the original version from 1907 with the same attributes (robustness, resistance to dust and humidity, readability, precision). In an ad from 1957 Vacheron Constantin states that the Chronomètre Royal is a watch with Class, created for a demanding clientele by the same experts who, at Vacheron Constantin, have produced  the victorious chronometers at the observatory trials.”

This reference 6694 wristwatch launched in 1963 is housing the first Vacheron Constantin automatic calibre with an adjustable inertia balance, the calibre K1072. This calibre is considered as one of the best self-winding calibre of its time with its ruby bearings to minimize the friction.
The designation “Chronomètre Royal” – a registered name by Vacheron Constantin – ensures precision, accuracy and performance, combined with refined design details.

TWO-TONE 222 WRISTWATCH (Ref 12075)- 1981

The middle of the 1970’s proved to be a moment of disruption in watchmaking: some prestige Maisons adopted steel as a “new” luxury material. Back to that time Manufacture crafted luxury integrated bracelet models in gold and stainless steel and creating a brand new product segment. Vacheron Constantin launched in this context its Royal Chronometer model Reference 2215, an extremely interesting precursor – which was produced only from 1975 to 1977. In 1977, celebrating the 222nd anniversary of the Maison, Vacheron Constantin presented the “222”, a very pure, elegant, refined full metal model. It distinguished itself by a monobloc case on a fitted bracelet and features a porthole-style screw-held bezel providing resistance to hard wear in harsh environments. Produced until 1985, the “222” has been offered in various executions and sizes. A mid-size model of 22mm was added, and it is to be noted that ladies could wear also their “222” model, set or not with diamonds.

Designed by Jörg Hysek, an independent designer, the “222” is considered as the first iconic Vacheron Constantin sport model. These days, it represents a great collecting interest, as production units of the whole “222” lineup remained low in comparison with competitors offers at this time.

Vacheron Constantin Taipei 101 Boutique

【Date】25 Oct – 30 Nov, 2021
【Address】No. 45, Shifu Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City 【Tel】+886 (02) 8101 8658

Special Collaboration: Vacheron Constantin x Oak Room

【Date】2 Nov – 13 Nov, 2021
【Address】No.10, Lane 42, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City 【Tel】+886 (02) 2567 7089

 Business days and hours may change depending on circumstances.