To mark the centenary of the American 1921, Vacheron Constantin presents three new models of the watch that captures the spirit of the Roaring Twenties with its diagonal dial. Two of the three new variants are housed in a white gold case that measures either 36.5 mm or 40 mm. The Historiques American 1921 – Collection Excellence Platine is released as a limited edition with a 950 platinum case.
The American 1921 originated in the 1920s – the Roaring Twenties. The Vacheron Constantin manufacture had previously experimented with different case shapes in small series. In 1921, the house produced a few watches for the American market, which were appropriately named American 1921. These watches stood out from the crowd of the (just emerging) wristwatches due to the cushion-shaped case and the 45-degree rotated dial. The arrangement of the dial was particularly popular with drivers, as they could read the time without having to take their hands off the steering wheel.
The new Historiques American 1921 is housed in an 18-carat white gold case. There is a choice between a diameter of 36.5 mm or 40 mm. The cushion-shaped case is complemented by straight lugs and the crown between 1 and 2 o’clock. On the back, the sapphire crystal case back reveals the mechanics inside the watch. Finally, with a water resistance of 3 bar, the watch can withstand only accidental splashes.
The silver dial with diagonal arrangement allows you to read the time without having to turn your wrist. It has Arabic numerals painted in black and a Chemin de Fer minute ring. There is also a small seconds between 3 and 4 o’clock. The Breguet-style hour and minute hands are made of 18-carat gold, as is the seconds hand.
The manufacture calibre 4400 AS, which was also used in the previous generation, powers the timepiece. The manually wound movement has a power reserve of 65 hours. It also consists of 127 individual parts, including the balance wheel with a frequency of 4 hertz. Elsewhere, the watchmakers decorate the movement with Côtes de Genève and perlage. As is customary with the Maison, this model also bears the Geneva seal.
The Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 has a dark brown calfskin strap. The strap comes from the Milan workshops of the Italian leather goods manufacturer Serapian, founded in 1928. It also has a pin buckle made of 18-carat white gold in the shape of a half Maltese cross. The 36.5 mm case diameter version comes with an additional leather strap in burgundy.
The Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 with a 36.5 mm case diameter costs 29,800 euros, while the watch with a 40 mm gold case costs 36,100 euros.
This watch appears as part of the Collection Excellence Platine, in which Vacheron Constantin wraps classic models in platinum. The platinum-cased Patrimony presented in 2020 is now followed by the American 1921 as a limited edition of 100 pieces. Accordingly, the watch is housed in a 40 mm case made of 950 platinum. But also the crown, the lugs and even the dial are made of the same material.
The grey, sandblasted dial bears applied indices in white gold. Unlike the other two models, the hour and minute hands are not blackened. Furthermore, the second hand is made of blued steel. The dial also bears the official “Pt950” hallmark, which indicates the precious metal used.
The Historiques American 1921 – Collection Excellence Platine uses the same calibre 4400 AS with manual winding. It also bears the Geneva seal. The watch comes on a hand-stitched blue alligator leather strap with a 950 platinum pin buckle. As a limited edition, Vacheron Constantin is producing only 100 pieces of this watch. It will also only be available in the company’s boutiques at a price of 50,000 euros.
