WHL
[VC Moderator]
4922
Musings on the American Heritage of Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin officially launched its American Heritage of Vacheron Constantin initiative today, and in conjunction with the opening of the Vacheron Constantin Boutique in New York that has attracted much of our attention on this and other forums of late. While the opening of the New York boutique is a major step forward for Vacheron Constantin (and don’t be surprised if other strategic US locations are slated for boutiques as well), the American Heritage Project offers a look back at the 179 years that Vacheron Constantin has been an integral part of the luxury watch market here in the United States.
From the official press release that I posted below, we learn about or recall some famous Americans who have owned Vacheron Constantin watches in the past, such as Henry Graves, James Packard (whose bespoke Vacheron Constantin pocket watch was recently sold at a Christie’s auction to Vacheron Constantin’s very own Heritage Department). Not mentioned are the aviation pioneer Orville Wright, former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, philosopher William James, his brother, the great novelist Henry James, and President Dwight Eisenhower, but whose names I expect we’ll see on the site.
Also absent from the press release is mention of the extraordinary watches that are just as much a part of this story of Vacheron Constantin in America as the people who own them, and which I expect will eventually work their way onto the site. These include the abovementioned Packard watch, with its unique collection of complications, (in addition to the stand time display, it features hour, minute, quarter and half-quarter repeating, grande and petite sonnerie, and a 30-minute chronograph register:
The Army Corps of Engineers watches ordered during WWI:
The original design of the watches that inspired the Historiques American 1921:
Crown on the right side for wear on the left wrist
Crown on the left side for wear on the right wrist
The Mercator watch that was exclusive for the North American market:
And perhaps the limited edition (100 watches) American Overseas Chronograph that our own respo proudly wears:
But the site is not just to show of the famous names that have owned Vacheron Constantin watches, nor to highlight the fine watches that were made for the American market; the idea behind the American Heritage of Vacheron Constantin that I most appreciate is that it allows for the telling of the stories that marry the watch with its owner. I intend to tell my own story for the American Heritage of Vacheron Constantin, recounting the purchase of my first Vacheron Constantin watch, an Overseas Chronometer with a blue dial and Arabic numbers that was made exclusively for the North American market in a limited edition of 75 pieces (though I had not idea of that fact at the time of purchase!), and set me off on my collecting adventures that lead me so passionately to appreciate the rich history of Vacheron Constantin and its watches at their vintage and contemporary best.
Will any of you care to join me in sharing a story for this website?
Bill
From the official press release that I posted below, we learn about or recall some famous Americans who have owned Vacheron Constantin watches in the past, such as Henry Graves, James Packard (whose bespoke Vacheron Constantin pocket watch was recently sold at a Christie’s auction to Vacheron Constantin’s very own Heritage Department). Not mentioned are the aviation pioneer Orville Wright, former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, philosopher William James, his brother, the great novelist Henry James, and President Dwight Eisenhower, but whose names I expect we’ll see on the site.
Also absent from the press release is mention of the extraordinary watches that are just as much a part of this story of Vacheron Constantin in America as the people who own them, and which I expect will eventually work their way onto the site. These include the abovementioned Packard watch, with its unique collection of complications, (in addition to the stand time display, it features hour, minute, quarter and half-quarter repeating, grande and petite sonnerie, and a 30-minute chronograph register:
The Army Corps of Engineers watches ordered during WWI:
The original design of the watches that inspired the Historiques American 1921:
Crown on the right side for wear on the left wrist
Crown on the left side for wear on the right wrist
The Mercator watch that was exclusive for the North American market:
And perhaps the limited edition (100 watches) American Overseas Chronograph that our own respo proudly wears:
But the site is not just to show of the famous names that have owned Vacheron Constantin watches, nor to highlight the fine watches that were made for the American market; the idea behind the American Heritage of Vacheron Constantin that I most appreciate is that it allows for the telling of the stories that marry the watch with its owner. I intend to tell my own story for the American Heritage of Vacheron Constantin, recounting the purchase of my first Vacheron Constantin watch, an Overseas Chronometer with a blue dial and Arabic numbers that was made exclusively for the North American market in a limited edition of 75 pieces (though I had not idea of that fact at the time of purchase!), and set me off on my collecting adventures that lead me so passionately to appreciate the rich history of Vacheron Constantin and its watches at their vintage and contemporary best.
Will any of you care to join me in sharing a story for this website?
Bill