SIHH 2019: Vacheron Constantin Takes Blue Shades To A Whole New Level
The trend for blue watches has been around for a while now. After all, blue is the favourite colour of most men and in terms of fashion, blue is always sophisticated and sporty at the same time. As there seems to be a strong demand, the trend lives on within most brands collections. Whereas blue was mostly associated with sports watch in recent years, Vacheron Constantin expands this colour scheme increasingly within their dress-watches – each collection receives its own blue shade that we rarely saw before as subtle and elegant as used in the novelties, that have just been presented at SIHH 2019 watch fair.
The dial of the new Patrimony Retrograde Day Date shines in majestic blue
Vacheron Constantin for the first time ventures to combine blue with rose gold, not only for their classical line like the ‘Patrimony’ or the ‚FIFTYSIX®‘, but also for their sporty ‘Overseas’ line. Even the prestige Atelier ‘Les Cabinotiers’ introduces a Grande Complication with a blue dial.
The new Overseas Tourbillon in petrol blue
The watch that has left the most impression to us is actually the most modest one out of all novelties. Due to its colour-given harmony, the Patrimony Manual calibre 1400 shows a perfectly balanced aesthetic. Of course, it’s a matter of personal taste, but a yellow gold case would probably have affected the design in a negative way. Vacheron Constantin calls this colour shade ‘majestic’-blue. The reason why this blue is so thrilling lies in the slightly concaved dial with a sunburst satin-finishing that gives this blue shade a fascinating shimmer. The slim 6,8 mm case can perfectly be worn underneath a suite as its sleeves slide smoothly over the watch.
In line – the majestic blue harmonizes very well with the rose gold case
If you like it somehow more comfortable, you can also choose an automatic Patrimony Self-Winding with date indication (calibre 2450 Q6). And if you like it somehow more complicated, Vacheron Constantin offers a double retrograde day-date (calibre 2460 R31R7/2). Day and date jump back instantly at the end of a week or month. The display fits very well to the classic look of this collection – it was applied subtly onto the dial without the use of additional sub-dials.
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony self winding with date (left)
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Retrograde Day Date (right)
The ‚FIFTYSIX®‘ collection celebrates its sweet first birthday this year. It is a tribute to the reference 6073 from 1956, an elegant timepiece for every occasion and it was the first automatic watch of Vacheron Constantin. Its predecessor models had a silver-toned dial. Now, the Maison introduces two new models in petrol blue: the first reference Fiftysix Self-Winding is a classical three-hands-watch with date and an automatic movement calibre 1326 with a stop-seconds system. The retro look that represents this collection has remained untouched. It’s symbolized by the angular sapphire glass that slightly towers above the bezel.
The Fiftysix collection receives a new dial – in petrol blue
The second model Fiftysix Complete Calendar runs with the calibre 2460 QCL/1 that has also been used for the predecessor model and means, that you don’t have to care for its correct calendar indication for the next 122 years.
Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Complete Calendar in petrol blue
As already mentioned before, Vacheron Constantin also presented some sporty watches in the trend colour blue. The ‘Overseas’ collection stands for convenient travel watches – they are sporty and chic and can be fitted with different straps depending on their utilization. The hexagonal bezel became a hallmark of the ‘Overseas’ line and indicates the Maison’s Malteser cross. Vacheron Constantin launches the first ‘Overseas’ steel-watch with a Tourbillon, as well as a new interpretation of the ultra-thin Perpetual Calendar, whereas it is the first blue dial combined with a rose gold case in this collection. The new Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin is also available with a silver-toned dial. Additionally, it comes with three straps that can be changed without any tool: 18k 5N rose gold, blue Mississippiensis alligator leather or blue rubber, available and delivered with all models.
Elegant travel watch – Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra Thin appears in rose gold for the first time
The new Overseas Tourbillon also comes with these three strap variations. The calibre 2160 was only introduced last year and also runs in the ‘Traditionnelle’ line. The advantage of this calibre: it’s 5,65 mm thin, thanks to the peripheral rotor (yet unmissable in its 18k gold coating) and offers a power reserve of around 80 hours.
The first Overseas steel-watch with Tourbillon
Finally, Vacheron Constantin reminds us again about the true purpose of the 264 years old Maison. In the Atelier ‘Les Cabinotiers’, the world’s oldest manufacture produces its most complicated and flamboyant watches. In the 18th century, the most experienced Geneva watchmakers exercised their talent in light-filled workshops called ‘cabinets’, located on the top floor of the buildings. They were called ‘Cabinotiers’ from which later the name of the Atelier derived. Reference 57260 is probably the most famous piece that has left the Atelier. It is a pocket watch with a diameter of 72 mm and a height of 36 mm that houses 57 complications. It took three of the best watchmakers eight laborious years to manufacture this unique piece. In comparison, the new Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar can kindly be called every-day suitable. The case is 42 mm slim and its calibre 1731 QP a mere 5,70 mm high – and that’s exactly why it should not be underestimated as it houses two Grande Complications: A Minute Repeater and a Perpetual Calendar.
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar in midnight blue
The calibre 1731 was first introduced in 2013 as an ultra-thin Minute Repeater and indicates the birthyear of Jean-Marc Vacheron. Now the movement has been enhanced by a Perpetual Calendar. The Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar is also available with a rose gold case and a brown dial. It comes with a winding-box made of Makassar ebony wood, which is also manufactured from ‘Les Cabinotiers’.
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar
At a time when the battleship Royal Louis of the French Royal Navy had to fight for its nation’s defence in the 18th century, its crew had to rely on precise navigation tools to calculate their position. They used marine chronometers – also called longitudinal clocks – because the determination of the longitude on the sea…
2023 is already proving to be a great year for chronographs. Whether technically revised, flaunting a new design, appearing as an anniversary model, or completely redeveloped, there really was something for everyone in the most popular category of mechanical wristwatches. This includes for the chronograph collectors among Swisswatches’ readers. Therefore, when our team came to…
Breguet is a brand with a vast history, and an equally great heritage on its shoulders. With that in mind, it's worth asking the question: how has it updated its Marine collection in 2020 to live up to the company's 18th-century seafaring past? Any enthusiast who knows a thing or two will know that Breguet's…
Yellow-gold watches have long been seen as the ultimate symbols of success. Unmistakably crafted from precious metal, such watches are not destined for the subtle amongst us. Rather, these watches make sure that all those around them are well aware that its wearer is affluent enough to attain such a sumptuous timepiece. With all due…
Whether it's Sofia Richie, Natasha from Sex and the City, or influencer The Gstaad Guy's 'Constance' serving as your inspiration, 'quiet luxury' remains the hottest trend this summer – and I would make the case that this dashingly handsome collector's piece doubles up as the ultimate embodiment of the 'quiet luxury' movement. With its combination…
It looks almost that the greatest density of magnum wine bottles is based in the southern part of Styria. They like to think big. An area, near the Slovenian border, where viniculture forms the landscape and which is famous for one of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. At Porsche they have always, and…
Every watch manufacture has one or more iconic models that have enjoyed great popularity for years. For Piaget, the Polo watch line is one of them. Since its launch in 1979 as the brand's first sports watch, it has established itself as the Maison's best-selling collection. Thanks to the Polo, the watch manufacture has already…
What lies at the heart of H. Moser watches? They boast bold colours, harmonious shapes, and minimalist designs that can be daring yet are always exquisitely crafted. These timepieces provide a refreshing alternative to ostentatious status symbols, oversized logos, and the extravagant luxury often associated with many Swiss watch brands. Remarkably, they have even chosen…
If you want to use an altimeter when mountaineering or hiking, you can of course do so with countless electronically operated gadgets. But it gets exciting when the display is built into a purely mechanical wristwatch. The watch manufacture Oris from Hölstein took on this challenge when it launched the ProPilot Altimeter, the world's first mechanical…
In Italy, la mia famiglia is the most important thing in life – food is a close second. Powerful blood lines such as the Florentine Medici and Roman Orsini families have historically dominated art, religion and politics across the centuries. Even today, generations of Italian families are woven together by strong emotional connections and infallible support networks. The Italian Swiss manufacture…
Here's why Montblanc manufactures diver’s watches – and is proving more successful at doing so than ever before. Behind every successful wristwatch, there tends to be a particular person advocating it. For over three years, the man behind Montblanc has been Laurent Lecamp. Paying a visit to him in Villeret proved to be a valuable…
The latest novelties from watch manufacture Bell & Ross have been rather elaborate. Now, they go back to basics for what a watch is originally made for – telling us the time. And to add some more comfort on that function, Bell & Ross has put focus on its readability, not only during daylight, but also in the pitch…
Whatever their shape or form, all watches tell us the time. But aside from this highly handy function, which two complications prove the most useful in everyday life? According to Parmigiani Fleurier, the answer is: an annual calendar and a chronograph. These are the two functions that define the Swiss horology house's new limited edition…