When we think of Vacheron Constantin, watch enthusiasts rarely think of timepieces outside the big lines like the Overseas, Patrimony, Traditionnelle, Fiftysix, Historiques, and even the handmade unique pieces of the Cabinotiers line.
But Vacheron Constantin is also quite accomplished in another area of watchmaking: the decorative, mechanical ladies’ watch just perfect for an elegant event like a ball or a night out at the opera.
On the occasion of the 2019 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, I was extremely fortunate to be able to borrow just such a lovely timepiece from the Genevan brand’s Heures Créatives (“creative hours”) line.
Note the sparkle on the author’s wrist as she jokes with GPHG jury colleagues Sébastien Chaulmontet and Aldis Hodge at the 2019 edition (photo courtesy Nicolas Lieber/GPHG)
Introduced in 2015 as one of three Heures Créatives, this feminine beauty resembles a buckle on the front, and that is no accident. The case has been cleverly designed not only to look like a buckle but act like one too: the silk strap gets threaded through the white gold and snow-set diamond loop. The closure is a “tang” buckle that is also made of white gold and perfectly smoothly set sparklers.
Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Audacieuse
This is an unexpected expression of avantgarde jewelry-making at the highest level for sure. However, it is not necessarily a new one as this lovely watch for women was inspired by a Vacheron Constantin design from 1970.
Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Audacieuse
Despite all its seeming fragility, this watch is a very wearable piece of modern horology. Water resistant to a full 30 meters, it is powered by manually wound Caliber 1055, which is only 2.1 mm in height – the perfect movement to provide energy to the delicately sized ticking piece of elegance.
Caliber 1055 derived from Caliber 1003, which was presented at the brand’s bicentenary celebrations in 1955; its size is about the same as that of a 20-centime coin. Back in its heyday, this caliber was incorporated into three watches that set thinness records.
The only real problem with it is that you cannot see its Geneva-Seal-certified beauty through the solid case back – though I am sure I was far too busy watching the extreme sparkle under the lights to worry about the movement.
Winding and setting is done by the crown positioned between the lugs underneath that diamond-set tang prong – and I can attest that it takes a fingernail to work that crown.
Vacheron Constantin’s beautiful watch sparkles away as Aldis Hodge and Elizabeth Doerr present the Iconic prize at the 2019 GPHG (photo courtesy Grégory Maillot/point-of-views.ch)
Despite that, there was really no greater thrill for me than to be wearing such a historically significant movement on my wrist on this very special evening. And in such an attractive package.
In fact, I was delighted beyond measure.
For more information, please visit www.vacheron-constantin.com/en/watches/heures-creatives/heures-creatives-heure-audacieuse.
Quick Facts Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Audacieuse Reference 37560/000G-B028
Case: 23.99 x 40.74 x 11.92 mm, white gold with 296 snow-set round diamonds (3.8 ct)
Movement: manually wound Caliber 1055, 15.7 x 2.1 mm size, 115 components, 21 jewels, 3 Hz/21,600 vph frequency, approx. 40-hour power reserve, stamped with Geneva Seal
Functions: hours, minutes
Limitation: boutique-only edition
Price: €65,000
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