VACHERON CONSTANTIN

1755, Geneva. Few firms in the world can trace their roots all the way back to King George II's reign, and even fewer can do it continuously. Vacheron Constantin is the world's only watchmaker capable of doing so. They've had a continuous history committed to horological perfection for 260 years, and it's their status as the world's longest continuous watchmaker that has earned them a superb reputation and placed them with Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet in the holy trinity of watchmakers.

Calvin's theological reforms in Geneva in 1541 converted it into the "Protestant Rome," where many Protestants from Germany, Italy, and France sought asylum. These guys created the backbone of Switzerland's luxury jewelry business as we know it today, with many of them being talented artisans. As a result, they established the Genevoise Manufacture. The Vacherons were one such family that sought safety in Geneva, and master independent watchmaker Jean-Marc Vacheron founded his company in 1755, owing in part to his confidence in the entrepreneurial spirit. And, more importantly, in his ability to create timepieces that were considerably superior to those made by other watchmakers. He believed that founding a corporation would allow him to take his business to the next level, and he was right.

He created what is now considered as the world's oldest Vacheron watch with activities in his hometown of Saint-Gervais. The silver pocket watch, which carries his signature J: M: Vacheron, is one of his most prized possessions. On the movement, a GENEVE. The clock included superbly wrought gold hands and a verge escapement, which was well ahead of its time. Even the balancing cock, which Vacheron fashioned in exquisite arabesques to offer it both a functional edge and a gorgeous aesthetic that became the Maison's hallmark, is a tribute to his skills.

As the French Revolution commenced, Jean-Marc began training his son Abraham as an apprentice in the hopes of him eventually taking over the business. They created the world's first complication in 1770, a timepiece that does more than just keep time. Abraham took over the business fifteen years later. Despite the Revolution and the French Directory's control of Geneva, his passion, talent, and understanding of his father's profession allowed him the singular capacity to keep the Maison afloat. Abraham took his son Jacques Barthélémi under his wing, as he had learnt from his father Jean-Marc, in order to keep the family business afloat.

Abraham (1760-1843), Jean-Marc Vacheron's son, took over the workshops in 1785.

After the company's miraculous survival of the French Revolution, Jacques Barthélémi was given the leadership in 1810 and promptly started organizing for the sale of their clocks to France and Italy. They soon began to ramp up manufacturing and branch out from their classics in the hopes of developing more complex clocks, such as musical watches, that would appeal to French and Italian musicians and artists. Vacheron began to enjoy greater sales and popularity among Europe's richest consumers as a result of the new watches' success. They quickly became a favorite of Prince Charles-Albert of Carignano, Sardinia's future monarch.

Notwithstanding Vacheron's accomplishment, Jacques-Barthélemi quickly understood that he couldn't continue to govern the company alone, especially given the company's fast international development. In 1819, he decided to form a partnership, and the company was renamed Vacheron & Constantin after François Constantin joined the company.

Constantin set out to travel the world and promote Vacheron's watches while Vacheron continued to operate the firm from Geneva. The globe took notice right away, and as new markets grew, North American customers rapidly became the company's largest market. According to legend, Constantin wrote Vacheron a letter on July 5, 1819, while on the road. "Do better if feasible and that is always achievable," he added in the letter. This phrase was chosen as the company's slogan and has remained thus for more than two centuries.

Sales soared, and Vacheron & Constantin introduced the newly designed Jumping-Hours pocket watch in 1824. It had a cylinder escapement with a three-armed monometallic balance, encased in red gold and equipped with an exceptionally complex mechanism. The leaping hours are visible through an aperture at 12 o'clock, and the huge central minutes hand is readily recognized as a desired feature. This watch immediately became a corporate signature item, which was quite an accomplishment.

Not to be outdone, VC also released a lovely yellow gold watch with a casing featuring a handmade blue champlevé enamel map of Italy. Because of the attention to detail and superior design, Vacheron & Constantin were renowned as artists as well as watchmakers after its introduction.

The Maison engaged the services of John Mangin, a salesperson in New York who created their first American offices and represented the Maison in North America, as a result of their success in America and Constantin's need to travel the world. Vacheron & Constantin grew in popularity, and by 1835, they had local sales representatives in Brazil and Cuba.

In 1833, they engaged an inventor called Georges-Auguste Leschot to manage manufacturing due to the brand's continued expansion and the owner's need to retain quality despite bigger amounts. Although hiring an inventor rather than a watchmaker was first seen as a hazardous choice, Leschot proved to be a tremendous asset for the Maison, and his discoveries have had a significant influence on the watchmaking industry as a whole. Leschot was the primary factor behind the Caliber classification of watch movements. He also invented the pantographic technology, which enabled watchmakers to engrave even the tiniest components and dials. In reality, it was Vacheron & Constantin's pantographic technology that propelled them ahead of the competition. In 1844, the Arts Society awarded the pantograph the Rive Prize gold medal for "the discovery of the greatest value to the Genevese industry." Leschot was probably one of the most significant figures in the Maison and one of the most influential figures in the Swiss watch business, propelling the company forward.

Constantin died in 1854, while Vacheron died nine years later in 1863. Following their deaths, the business was passed down to a succession of successors, including women, which was rare for a firm at the time.

Vacheron encouraged the business to join the Association for Research into Non-magnetic Materials a year before his death. Vacheron & Constantin, always interested in scientific watchmaking, introduced the pocket chronometer in 1869 and entered their clocks in the first chronometry competitions at the Geneva Observatory in 1872. They received honors, and thus began a journey that would lead to numerous record-breaking accomplishments throughout the following century.

Around 1875, the firm had grown to the point where it could no longer operate in its existing location. Jacques-Elysée Goss, an architect recognized for his design of Geneva's Grand Théâtre opera theater, was engaged by Jean-François Constantin, François Constantin's nephew and the Maison's head. On an island across the road from the old one, a new facility was erected. It quickly established itself as Switzerland's most contemporary manufacturer, and it is still home to the brand's store and historical museums today.

Vacheron invented the world's first nonmagnetic clock manufactured from materials that could totally withstand magnetic fields 10 years later, in 1885, thanks to his interest in joining the Association for Research into Nonmagnetic Materials before his death. Palladium was used for the balance wheel, balance spring, and lever shaft, bronze for the lever arms, and gold for the escape wheel. Due to increased worldwide demand, the business changed its name from Vacheron & Constantin to Vacheron & Constantin, Fabricants, Geneve in 1877. The Maltese cross was chosen as the official logo three years later. Vacheron Constantin's emblem has remained the same since then. The component had a cross that would control the tension of the mainspring, which was inspired by a section of their barrels.

1884 was a memorable year for the company. They designed the first double-faced pocket watch with a gilded brass perpetual-calendar lever mechanism governed by a bimetallic balance. The business then chose to offer a women wrist watch five years later, in 1889, which, unbeknownst to them at the time, would be the start of their prominence in the wrist watch industry.

When the Geneva Hallmark was established in 1901, Vacheron Constantin became the first watchmaker to wear its name. The hallmark was a watershed event for the Maison, and it is still used today as an emblem of Swiss watchmaking quality. The first boutique opened five years later, and Vacheron Constantin entered the modern world of wrist watches.

VC released the curvilinear tonneau case in 1912 and continued to produce the wrist watches for which they are now renowned, despite the fact that they continued to make some superb pocket watches. They started making wrist watches specifically for the American market in 1921. The wrist watch was developed with functionality and beauty in mind, while pocket watches grew more creative. Vacheron Constantin introduced a more contemporary wristwatch style in 1952, but followed up with a pocket watch design with enamel miniatures. By the mid-1950s, VC was regarded as a premium watch company for dress watches, producing ultra-thin mechanisms for its wristwatches.

In 1957, Vacheron Constantin introduced the classic design dress watch, which has since become an icon for the company. Since then, classic models like the Patrimony haven't changed much in look, and much of their present collection is based on the 1957 introduction, which was all about simplicity and beauty. Although the Patrimony collection is known for its traditional and exquisite dress watches, the firm has also created a number of different timepieces with intricate functions, aesthetic appeal, and even speciality watches for worldwide travelers. Unlike other watchmakers, Vacheron Constantin watches do not undergo significant changes in design. Instead, the brand introduces new models and technologies while still returning to its roots, paying tribute to the historic styles that have helped the company become what it is today.

Richemont has been the company's owner since 1996. They continue to operate independently from the rest of the conglomerate's brands and are still regarded as one of the world's greatest watchmakers, second only to Patek Philippe in terms of quality and status. They continue to produce some of the most iconic watches, including several of the world's most costly timepieces and the world's most intricate wristwatch, the "Tour de I'lle," which was produced in 2005 to commemorate Vacheron Constantin's 250th anniversary. The watch has 16 complexities and is powered by 834 handmade pieces. It's one of the few watches that can sell for over a million dollars completely new.

( First picture is Co founder Francios Constantin)