2025 marks the 270th anniversary of Vacheron Constantin’s founding. The brand has been in continuous operation since 1775 and shows no signs of slowing down.
This year, in addition to announcing their creation of the world’s most complicated wristwatch, Vacheron Constantin introduced specially decorated, limited-edition anniversary watches in the Traditionnelle and Patrimony collections. Vacheron Constantin’s Traditionnelle collection combines high technical standards with distinctive horological aesthetics, while the Patrimony line is inspired by the ultra-thin, round timepieces crafted by Vacheron Constantin in the 1950s. Each collection will have four new versions, all individually numbered, featuring the anniversary decorations.
An Emblem of Excellence
Vacheron Constantin’s signature Maltese cross symbol, which recalls the shape of an early movement component, evokes the brand’s enduring commitment to watchmaking excellence. The symbol inspired the subtle geometric design on the new watches’ dials, a detail that Vacheron Constantin has never offered before.
Archival Movement Finishes
In another nod to the brand’s heritage, both the new Patrimony and Traditionnelle models feature côte unique, a century-old finish that Vacheron recently discovered in its extensive archives. The hand-engraved côte unique creates an effect that evokes unbroken fine lines between the movement’s two bridges and can be seen through the watches’ sapphire crystal casebacks.
“These classic collections are elevated by signature complications, including the retrograde date display, and subtle details, such as the Patrimony’s domed dial; and the Traditionnelle’s fluted caseback,” Sandrine Donguy, Vacheron Constantin’s Product and Innovation Director, said in a statement. “These unexpected twists give each piece a distinctive character, making it a natural decision to honour these timeless designs.”
Movement Mastery
The 270th anniversary Traditionelle watches include new versions of the Manual-Winding and the Moon Phase, which features a diamond-set bezel and a power reserve indicator. New in the Patrimony collection are a Moon Phase Retrograde Date and a Self-Winding.
Like all Vacheron Constantin timepieces, the watches feature the brand’s in-house Manufacture Mechanical movements. “These two collections epitomise the understated elegance of the watches created by Vacheron Constantin over the last 270 years,” according to Donguy. “The Traditionnelle collection pays tribute to traditional watchmaking’s technical and artistic heritage, with finely crafted cases and rigorously formal dials that testify to the expertise passed down from generation to generation by the Maison’s artisans and watchmakers. Patrimony is a textbook example of understatement, with models directly inspired by the minimalist aesthetic of the 1950s – a time when horology was distinguished by its discreet presence. These classic collections are elevated by signature complications, including the retrograde date display, and subtle details, such as the Patrimony’s domed dial; and the Traditionnelle’s fluted caseback. These unexpected twists give each piece a distinctive character, making it a natural decision to honour these timeless designs.”