Vacheron Constantin Special Models for the Tokyo Boutique

VACHERON CONSTANTIN UNVEILS ITS FIRST JAPAN BOUTIQUE IN TOKYO RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE GINZA DISTRICT ON THE PRESTIGIOUS MAIN CHUO STREET 

Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest Haute Horlogerie Manufacturer with nearly 260 years of uninterrupted history, announces the opening of its first Boutique in Japan early December, to be located on the main Chuo street in the heart of Ginza, Tokyo.  The world-renowned district, offering the most luxurious shopping experience with high-end international boutiques and upscale department stores, is the perfect place for Vacheron Constantin to offer its high level of sophistication and commitment as well as exceptional hospitality to local clients.

With more than 140 square meters, the two floors will truly be dedicated to horological passion to welcome watch enthusiasts, collectors, and connoisseurs, displaying exquisite timepieces in refined showcases. Every aspect of pure comfort, sophistication, and luxury is attended in elegant architectural interiors and decorative details, which incorporate both traditional and contemporary elements that reflect the Maison’s spirit.  An in-house watchmaker will offer onsite after-sales service and demonstrate the tradition of aesthetic excellence that defines Vacheron Constantin.

The first Boutique in Japan has a special meaning for the Geneva-based Manufacturer, as it will offer the entire range of collections including exclusive Boutique-only models from exceptional high- complication and limited-edition models to regular simple models.  Moreover, our highly exceptional bespoke service, the Ateliers Cabinotiers will be proposed for clients to entirely customize his or her one-of-a-kind timepiece through collaboration with the Maison.   Three exclusive limited-editions will be launched: Traditionnelle 14-day tourbillon, Traditionnelle, and Overseas Dual Time, dedicated only to this Japan Boutique, to celebrate the opening of this first Boutique in Japan and honor Vacheron Constantin’s constant quest to watchmaking excellence and aesthetics perfection, “We are delighted to open our first long-awaited Japan Boutique in Ginza”, says Vincent Gouget, Vacheron Constantin Japan Brand Director.  “We are very proud to open our first flagship store on the prestigious Chuo Street, providing one of the largest watch stores in the area.  This will be an important milestone for the Manufacturer to further reinforce its presence in Japan and on the global map.”

Ticking to Japanese time  

Celebrating the opening of its first Boutique in Japan, Vacheron Constantin presents three limited-edition models combining perfectly mastered technique and inspired aesthetic and remaining close to the fundamental and know-how of the Geneva Manufacture.  

Vacheron Constantin reinforces its special ties with Japan by inaugurating its first Boutique in Tokyo. This 140 sq.m. area, in which noble materials mingle with refined elegance, is the new rendezvous for Haute Horlogerie connoisseurs and collectors. In addition to the entire range of collections from the Manufacture, the Tokyo Boutique will present a number of exclusive limited edition. The opening of this warm and cosy setting represents a new bouding between the ‘land of the rising sun’ and the Geneva Manufacture.

To celebrate this event, Vacheron Constantin presents three exclusive timepieces produced in limited series:  

• A three-piece limited edition of the Traditionnelle 14-day tourbillon
• A 20-piece limited edition of the Traditionnelle with small seconds at 6 o’clock
• A 100-piece limited edition of the Overseas dual time

These special models for the Tokyo Boutique are distinguished by their “LIMITED EDITION TOKYO” secret signature on the dial, as well as the refined hand-guilloché dial motif showcasing of the many artistic crafts cultivated by the Manufacture.

Traditionnelle 14-day tourbillon   

An exceptional tourbillon displaying rare performances and the absolute purity of a round, understated dial: issued in a three-piece limited edition, the Traditionnelle 14-day tourbillon appears clothed in black to celebrate the inauguration of Vacheron Constantin’s first Boutique in Japan. The quintessence of the watchmaking art.   

Rare, complex and exclusive: such are the adjectives that best sum up this exceptional watch. Crafted in a three-piece limited edition for the inauguration of the Tokyo Boutique, this 18K 5N pink gold timepiece stands out by its finely hand-guilloché black dial bearing the “LIMITED EDITION TOKYO” secret signature at 12 o’clock. A magnificent tribute to the expertise acquired by the world’s oldest watch Manufacture having enjoyed uninterrupted activity since 1755.  

While the first tourbillon appeared in 1801, the in-house development and production of this horological complication remain the exclusive sphere of a mere handful of manufacturers. In this instance, associating the prestigious function with an impressive 14-day power reserve called for a dedicated construction. A “dragging” or “trailing” hand on the dial displays the remaining energy on a 280° sector. This surface area, which is larger than on conventional indicators, enables a precise division of the 14 days, themselves divided into 12-hour slices and thus enhancing the legibility of the power reserve. The hour and minute indications are slightly offset in order to leave space for the tourbillon carriage. To guarantee the 14-day power reserve, the Vacheron Constantin mechanical manual-winding Calibre 2260 is equipped with four barrels stacked in pairs, interconnected and discharging simultaneously, yet four times slower than a single barrel.   
The structure of Calibre 2260 with its 231 parts comprises two large bridges, whose generous dimensions provide magnificent scope for expressing the exquisite movement finishing and notably the Côtes de Genève motif. The tourbillon carriage, inspired by the Maltese cross, represents an exceptional showcase in terms of the high degree of finishing on the parts featuring a number of naturally hand-bevelled interior angles. The tourbillon bar alone took 11 hours of hand craftsmanship to round off.   

The Traditionnelle 14-day tourbillon is loyal to the aesthetic codes that have forged the reputation of this line imbued with a sense of tradition and rigorous principles: a slender case, a fluted case middle, applied facetted hands and “dauphine” hands. A screw-down sapphire caseback provides a chance to admire Calibre 2260, while a black dial that is finely hand-guilloché – expressing one of the unique skills cultivated by the Maison – sets the perfect finishing touch to this exceptional watch. The master guillocheur has succeeded in combining straight and curved lines in order to create a unique sunburst pattern inspired by the Japanese “Rising Sun”. This array of elements contribute to identifying this refined and technical collection and serve as a reminder that tradition and modernity go hand in hand at Vacheron Constantin just as they do in Japanese culture.  

From the mechanism to the exterior, everything about this new creation from Vacheron Constantin epitomises perfect execution, including its prestigious Hallmark of Geneva certification – the highest Haute Horlogerie benchmark testifying to the quality, the fine workmanship and the reliability of an exceptional timepiece crafted in Geneva.

Traditionnelle Tokyo Boutique 

The classic and timeless Traditionnelle celebrates the inauguration of the first Vacheron Constantin boutique in Japan with a 20-piece limited edition of a special 5N pink gold version.  

The Traditionnelle watch is heir to a longstanding Genevan watchmaking tradition and powerfully displays its timeless nature. With its slender bezel, fluted case middle, applied facetted hour- markers, “dauphine” hands and a dial graced with a variety of finishes, this model magnifies the aesthetic codes of the Traditionnelle line. For the special Tokyo Boutique edition in 18K 5N pink gold, it appears adorned in a finely hand-guilloché black dial inspired by the Japanese “Rising Sun” and featuring a “LIMITED EDITION TOKYO” secret signature at 12 o’clock.  

At the heart of the case beats the manual-winding Vacheron Constantin AS movement developed and crafted in keeping with the most demanding traditions of Genevan Haute Horlogerie. Its balance oscillates at a frequency of 4Hz (28,000 vibrations/hour) and displays the hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock. It has an approximately 65-hour power reserve, meaning almost three days. Its finishing touch visible through the transparent caseback, also reflect the concern for fine workmanship inherited from generations of artisans: smooth surfaces adorned with the Côtes de Genève motif, and bevelled edges that are meticulously hand-polished, as are the screw heads.  
To accommodate this brilliantly successful example of mechanical genius in due style, Vacheron Constantin developed the case based on two criteria: while its elegantly slender profile undoubtedly proclaims its kinship with the classic tradition, its 38 mm diameter endows it with an unmistakably timeless dimension.  

From the mechanism to the exterior, everything about this new creation from Vacheron Constantin epitomises perfect execution, including its prestigious Hallmark of Geneva certification – the highest Haute Horlogerie benchmark testifying to the quality, the fine workmanship and the reliability of an exceptional timepiece crafted on Genevan territory. 

Overseas dual time

To celebrate the opening of its first boutique in Japan, Vacheron Constantin presents a 100-piece limited edition: the Overseas dual time.  

In addition to the date and the day/night indication, the Overseas dual time watch features two useful complications: a dual-time display and a power-reserve indication. The steel case with its bold, elegant lines instantly reflects the image of a watch with a distinctive character.  

Its black, technical and sporty dial, along with its generous 42 mm-diameter case, ensure excellent readability of the various functions. Its “LIMITED EDITION TOKYO” secret signature is visible in the power-reserve zone and its date and dual-time counters are finely hand-guilloché with a motif inspired by the Japanese “Rising Sun”. This 100-piece limited edition gathers all the design codes that have forged the success of the Overseas collection with its streamlined design, a bezel shaped like a Maltese cross, as well as the iconic Overseas motif engraved on the solid caseback, depicting a two- masted sailing ship. Other signature characteristics of the Overseas line are its powerful antimagnetic protection against fields of up to 25,000 A/m (the standard level being 4,000 A/m), thanks to a soft iron cage shielding the movement from the effects of the magnetic fields that are all around us in our daily environment and are liable to affect the regularity of the rate and thus the precision of a watch. Moreover, the water resistance of this Overseas dual time is tested at a pressure of 15 bar, equivalent to a depth of 150 metres, and further complemented by a screwed-down crown and pushpiece ensuring entirely secure usage.  

Driven by self-winding Calibre 1222 SC beating at 28,800 vibrations/hour, the Overseas dual time model provides a central display of the hours, minutes and seconds, along with the time in another time zone appearing in a small day/night indicator. The dual-time display can be easily corrected via the winding-crown. A power-reserve indication as well as the date counter – adjustable via the 2 o’clock pushpiece – round off the functions of this exceptional model. Its baton-type hands and its hour-markers are of course coated with a luminescent material ensuring their readability in every situation.  

Sporty and elegant thanks to its steel bracelet composed of Maltese cross-inspired links guaranteeing optimal adaptability and comfort on the wrist, along with its triple-blade invisible clasp, the Overseas dual time is entirely at home in every situation.