New headquarters of manufactory Vacheron Constantin and specialties of manufacturing

Watch manufactures usually keep the subtleties of manufacturing in strict secret, don't let strangers to go on the company. Though, the leadership of the company Vacheron Constantin thought that if a person orders exclusive wristwatch of this brand he couldn't be considered as a stranger. In this case you will be invited in headquarters of the manufacture to have dinner with its CEO Juan-Carlos Torres and Marc Guten.
Watch and jewelery house Vacheron Constantin is situated in picturesque village Le-Sentier, among high mountains valley Vallée de Joux. Manufacture settled here not long ago in 1998, united with the company Haut de Gamme (HDG). At the beginning of 90-s that company made orders only for Vacheron Constantin, their union became just formality.
The building of headquarters projected adherent of urban architecture Bernard Tschumi. It resembles curved metallic envelope by its form. Outside its shining, a little bit asymmetric surfaces are not finished and opened for views, inside metal combines with wood. General square of the building is 10 250 square meters. It combines manufacture and administrative parts. Facades from south and north sides let the light to enter in the most far corners of the building. This project can be considered as an example of ideally entered in surrounding landscape eco – building. In the upper part of the building is administration of Vacheron Constantin, the lower is manufacture itself.
The upper stage of corporation part are situated dinning-room for director and restaurant, that from windows can be seen the beauty of nature. As for views, there is atrium zone with highness of three floors, which let to view the wide light corridors.
Having moved to another building, manufacture Vacheron Constantin worked under equipment of manufacture cabinets and creation of own movement. In 2000 appeared thin movement with hand winding – 1400. Unique equipment for Vacheron Constantin were made by best machinists of Swiss. Metal plates processed in big crystal metal cube. It has five axes, let to drill and grind the workpiece from four sides. Movement turns workpiece and choose from range including different drills, bits and chisels, needed instrument. After processing ready plates polish with laser, after checking a special electronic tester. It is very accurate mechanism, which can detect deviation from the norm even for one hundredth of a micron.
The decoration is entrusted to machines partly. It make inscriptions on usual movements. But when we talk about complicated calibers, it make engravers. After their work it make masters of department of anglage and polisage (polishing details). The have to have very sensitive fingers, to make such thin work. For polishing of small details they use miniature needle file, resembling a thin nail files, so that the workers in the shop look like fashion plates, employed her manicure. Then the surface is brought to perfection the skins, like sheets of a set of colored paper. Artists have a number of professional secrecy. For example, it is necessary to take into account the special porous metal structure, carrying out most carefully polished movements directed in one direction only. Skilled craftsmen are able to bring to the ideal state of parts, which thickness is less than 0.3 microns, which are unable to even laser systems. By the aid of machines here and do not resort to making perlage (pattern of assembly imposed on each other rings, analogue of the domestic analog "Jack Frost").
Details from bronze after these processing moved to rhodium, covers with lay of rhodium with the thickness of 0,2 mm. Steel are toughened during 2-3 hours to make it more durable. The finishing process of processing details masters of Vacheron Constantin called ebavurage. It is made completely by hands.
Further work moves to Geneva. Wristwatches not exposed in the mountains, even pre-assembly, because the plant is located in the canton of Vaud. If movement from beginning to end doesn't collect in Geneva, it wouldn't have right to wear Geneva seal. In developed view it is fixed in special boxes for moving and send on a journey. Having arrived on the place of destination details collect in movement. It is tested , if there will be damages they dismantle it. Details are thoroughly cleaned and polished and send on decoration. After patterns will be painted and grinded, they once more clean and test. This is followed by final assembly of movement. It is again subjected to the tests. But this ordeal future watches Vacheron Constantin does not terminate. They fall into the hands of masters of restoration, responsible for the accuracy of movement work. Also watch is tested using simulators daily operation, to find out how they are durable and protected from moisture.
After passing this the hard way, Vacheron Constantin watches come at last to the counters, where the owners expect their future, either directly into the hands of your customer.