New Flagship in Sydney, Australia

Source:  Images and content by Vacheron Constantin

• Extending on its nearly 270 years of history, Vacheron Constantin opens a new Oceania Flagship Boutique.
• The Flagship pays tribute to the Maison’s relationship with Australia that dates back to the 19^th century.
• Novelty timepieces include Traditionnelle Moon Phase, Égérie Self-Winding and Égérie Moon Phase

Luxury high watchmaking Maison Vacheron Constantin has opened its first boutique in Sydney. Drawing upon nearly 270 years of experience and uninterrupted history, the Swiss Maison continues to innovate, offering Sydneysiders and visitors to the city its complete range of sought-after timepieces, from simple to high complication creations and limited-edition models. These include the new Traditionnelle moon phase, Égérie self-winding and Égérie moon phase.

Located at 104 King Street Sydney, in the heart of the city, the three-storey boutique is a place of savoir faire and “belle haute horlogerie”, where connoisseurs can come together to explore the world of Vacheron Constantin. They experience the Maison’s first-client service, discovering first-hand the ways in which personal expression can be achieved through timekeeping accessories. The opening of Vacheron Constantin in Sydney follows the unveiling of the Melbourne boutique in 2019.

The ground level of the boutique acts as the Maison’s discovery floor, while the second floor remains reserved for VIPs. The third and uppermost level of the boutique presents a program of ongoing exhibitions. “It’s a series of agile spaces that respond to the needs of our clientele across Oceania,” says Amy Jackson Lai, director of Vacheron Constantin Oceania. “We are excited to bring a slice of Switzerland to the east coast of Australia”.

The boutique adds to Vacheron Constantin’s long-standing history with Australia as evident in 1881 when Ernest William Cooke, astronomer and meteorologist, wrote to the Maison about his 18K yellow gold chronometer open faced pocket watch.
Its striking mechanism caliber, automatically activated each 15 seconds, allows to timing an astronomical event by counting the striking sounds.
A precious tool, probably similar to the Vacheron Constantin watch owned by the famous astronomer Ernest William Cook.
 

An exclusive timepiece to celebrate Sydney: Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières Sydney

The second exclusive is a limited Sydney-edition watch, part of the Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection and certified by the Hallmark of Geneva. The specially created timepiece is a celebration of Sydney, inspired by an encounter between art, craft and creativity. The Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection perpetuates the age-old Vacheron Constantin tradition of artistic crafts.

Tradition also comes into play through the inclusion of grand feu enamelling – a champlevé technique and specialty of the house. This combines with the unusual application of hand-applied powder a technique mastered by Japanese guest artist Yoko Imai.

The lights of Sydney shine through the blue-tinted night. The golden gleam of grand feu champlevé enamel reveals the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, rimming emerald green parks and gardens. Its brilliance outlines the contours of the city, distinctly displaying the location of legendary landmarks such as the Opera House, the historic port of Walsh Bay and Harbour Bridge. The gold dust boats gliding across enamelled water, the streets and the centres of activity are adorned with precious spangles testifying to the nightlife of the Australian metropolis.

The Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection is an invitation to embark upon a nocturnal journey above cities bubbling with creativity. Hand-crafted during more than three months and born from a mingling of artistic crafts, each dial is truly unique.

An Artistic Installation by Lisa Cahill

To celebrate the boutique’s opening, two major exclusives have been created. The first takes

the shape of a glass installation by Lisa Cahill. Inspired by the natural world and the “transitionary nature of the urban experience”, the artist says her piece creates discourse between the Australian landscape and her affinity with it. Based in Canberra, her studio will be the initial setting of the story from inception of design, drawings, creation of the glass artwork and creations in her glass kiln.

Each of the Maltese cross glass creations will be refined and heave their own creative form representing the frost and silver effect. Lisa has said she has always been drawn to glass as a medium because of its “ability to create a sense of wonder and awe.”

The sculpture mirrors Vacheron Constantin’s emblem, the Maltese Cross, and encompasses enamelling, etching, engraving, lathe work and hand-carving processes in both opaque and transparent layers of glass.

———————————————————————————-

Boutique Details
Vacheron Constantin Sydney Flagship Boutique
104 King Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Opening Hours
Monday — Wednesday 10am – 6pm
Thursday – 10am – 7pm
Friday – Saturday 10am – 6pm
Sunday – 11am – 5pm