New Watches by Vacheron Constantin at SIHH 2012
The watch company Vacheron Constantin in 2012 celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first watch release with tonneau-shaped case.
The Geneva manufactory one of the first has introduced to the world a pocket watch with tonneau-shaped case. A retrospective look at the history of watchmaking shows that the creation of timekeepers with a new case form has made a revolution in the design concepts of XX century watches, based on a circular form. Models with the new case form are inseparable part of Vacheron Constantin history: the watch house used innovative designs in its collections throughout the XX century.
Being a loyal guardian of immutable traditions of Swiss watchmaking since 1755, the company has a unique heritage which constitutes an inexhaustible source of inspiration to modern creations such as new models Malte. Novelties of the company are presented at the annual SIHH-2012 (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie). Jubilee, devoted to the age-old history of the tonneau-shaped watches, is a good opportunity to review the design of the Malte watches.
Cases of new models differ with lines and contours of purity and elegance, though the style of which is classical in the sense of adherence to traditions, but at the same time permeated with a spirit of modernity.
At the exhibition are presented four models - Malte 100th Anniversary Edition, Malte Small Seconds, Malte Tourbillon and Malte Lady. With the release of these watches, the company paid tribute to their fundamental values, based on the notions of elegance and technical perfection.
The anniversary model Malte 100th Anniversary Edition, dedicated to the centuries-old history of the first tonneau-shaped watch, is released in a limited edition of 100 individually numbered items. It is collected on the basis of hand-wound caliber 4400 (the vibration frequency of the balance is 28 800 pc / h, power reserve - 65 hours), which is completely designed and built in the workshops of Geneva factory. Artfully decorated movement with an unsurpassed finishing is assembled from 106 components. The caliber in diameter of 6.28 mm is suitable for installation in most modern cases.
The tonneau-shaped case measuring 36.7 mm by 47.6 mm is made of platinum, 950-carat, which emphasizes the elegant aesthetics of the model and its charming vintage style. Association with the model prototype is called by the dial design: a white background is contrasted with large Roman numerals. The watch is equipped with a two-tier display system - central hands indicate hours and minutes. The anniversary model, characterized by minimalist design and understated elegance of the lines is delivered with a dark blue strap, made of Mississippi alligator leather.
In connection with the historic anniversary the company has presented three models which are designed to emphasize the basic qualities of tonneau-shaped models - their exclusivity, originality and complexity.
The Malte Small Seconds watch of its size and design does not differ much from the previous model. The case, the central hand, crown, buckle and digital marks, repeated an updated contour of the tonneau-shaped case, are made of 18K rose gold. This watch, like the previous ones, is designed to perform its main function - to indicate time: hours and minutes are shown by the central hands and the second hand is put out on the small dial at 6 o’clock position. The model is accompanied with the dark brown Mississippi alligator leather strap and supplemented by a clasp in the shape of the Maltese Cross half.
The watch is driven by a manufactory mechanism 4400 AS, on the one of its bridges is a depiction of the Geneva hallmarks - a symbol of excellence and perfection in watchmaking.
Despite the fact that the above models do not differ in functionality, in the Malta collection there are many models with different watch complications, such as a regulator, tourbillion, dual function of time, an indicator of lunar phases, and chronograph function. The mechanical "constitutes" of the watches is the basis for stylistic concept and design of various interpretations. The latter model is modern interpretations of the Malte Tourbillon, for which engineers and specialists in the design of mechanisms have produced a new barrel mechanism that reproduces the shape of the case. Incidentally, the most watches with tonneau-shaped cases are equipped with the usual mechanisms of circular shape, while the canons of Haute Horlogerie provides the compliance with the unity of the external form (case) and content (the mechanism).
The Malte Tourbillon watchcase, made of pink gold, compared with the above models is more massive (size - 38 × 48.2 mm, thickness - 12.7 mm). Large case size due to the presence of a larger mechanism (calibre 2795, hand-winding size - 27.4 × 29.3 mm, thickness - 6.1 mm, 27 stones, 169 components, the vibration frequency of the balance - 18000 pc / h, power reserve - 45 hours) and the transparent case back, which in comparison with solid metal lid gives a great increase of thickness. Through the transparent case back lovers can view the work of an artfully decorated mechanism. The caliber is fully developed and assembled at the factory Vacheron Constantin by recognized masters. The tonneau-shaped mechanism is complicated with tourbillion cage which resembles a factory symbol - Maltese Cross.
In the jubilee 2012 year the watch company does not forget about the beautiful half of humanity: to women is addressed the fourth novelty - a Malte Lady watch. The sleek case size of 28.3 × 38.8 mm is made of white gold and encrusted with 50 diamonds of classic cutting. The watch is equipped with a quartz movement VC 1202.
All three men's models have been certified by the assignment of new standards of the Geneva Seal.
In 1886, the General Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva passed a law approving the so-called hallmarks of Geneva (Poinçon de Genève) - a special sign of distinction, hosted on the watch mechanism and employee confirmation of origin, manufacturing quality and durability of the movement.
For getting Poinçon de Genève last year new regulations has developed, under which the certification is subject not only movement, but also the watch in a whole. The new features include the following requirements:
• Compliance with the minimum level of water resistance (30 meters)
• Compliance with all stated functions / complications to work properly by appropriate tests
• Compliance with the external form (case) and content (movement)
• Compliance with certain parameters of the accuracy (deviation of less than 1 minute during the week).
