{"id":1531,"date":"2013-02-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-02-13T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/vacheron-constantin-new-boutique-in-paris-n1326\/"},"modified":"2013-02-14T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-02-13T23:00:00","slug":"vacheron-constantin-new-boutique-in-paris-n1326","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/vacheron-constantin-new-boutique-in-paris-n1326\/","title":{"rendered":"Vacheron Constantin, new boutique in Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"

VACHERON CONSTANTIN OPENS ITS NEW BOUTIQUE IN PARIS AT 2 RUE DE LA PAIX<\/p>\n

The oldest watch manufacturer with an unbroken history since its founding in 1755, opens its new boutique in Paris, the thirty-fifth in the world. This very elegant boutique for exceptional watches is for Vacheron Constantin, which maintains close ties with France since the early nineteenth century, a privileged meeting place for collectors and lovers of fine watchmaking. Each of creations presented is a work of art that embodies the core values ??of Vacheron Constantin, combining aesthetic and technical know-how.<\/p>\n

1972 Prestige <\/strong><\/p>\n

For the opening of its first store in Paris, located at 2 Rue de la Paix, Vacheron Constantin revisits its iconic asymmetrical model <\/p>\n

Vacheron Constantin\u2019s 1972 collection has been making an impression for over four decades. Today, there is a new men\u2019s version of this timeless icon inspired by the original. Like the 1972 creation, the most recent arrival displays the balanced asymmetry that strictly follows the proportions of the golden section. Made of white gold, the new 1972 Prestige also houses a precious ultra-thin mechanical movement. A model of sophistication and elegance, this new icon bears the Poin\u00e7on de Gen\u00e8ve.<\/p>\n

Some timepieces are born under a lucky star and destined to change history. Vacheron Constantin\u2019s 1972 model is definitely one of these. On June 23, 1972, in the reception rooms of the prestigious Ritz Hotel not far from 2 Rue de la Paix, the Comit\u00e9 de France bestowed the rare and coveted Prestige de la France award on Vacheron Constantin in tribute to the brand\u2019s distinctive expertise, acquired through a desire to achieve authenticity, technical perfection, and elegance.
Vacheron Constantin is the first watchmaking manufacture to have been honoured with this award.<\/p>\n

In celebration of this honour, the Geneva company brought out a wristwatch of astonishingly innovative appearance, with an asymmetrical design that was exceedingly daring for its time. It was made in an extremely limited series, and the back was engraved with the Prestige de la France coat of arms. Since then, Vacheron Constantin has continued to offer this asymmetrical shape in various sizes and proportions, sometimes in ladies\u2019 watches and sometimes in men\u2019s, such that it has developed into the iconic 1972 collection.<\/p>\n

Precious metal and the golden section <\/strong><\/p>\n

The 1972 Prestige hearkens back to its roots in the historic model. It has the same elegance and harmonious proportions, is the same size, and houses \u2013 as it did back in the day \u2013 a mechanical hand-wound movement. Like the original, the new 1972 is embellished with Prestige de la France engraved on the back. This nod to history, and to one of the countless creative episodes that have been enriching Vacheron Constantin\u2019s legacy for over 250 years, is much more than a bold and unusual watch: it is the culmination of a formal study that drew on art and cultural history as the source of the obvious harmony in its evenly distributed proportions. The 1972 Prestige takes its strength and balance from the principles of the golden section. For example, the dimension of the longest side of the case, divided by the length of the sapphire crystal on the opposite side, equals 1.618 \u2013 the famous golden section that appears in several of the greatest successes in the history of art and architecture, from the facade of the Parthenon in Athens to Le Corbusier\u2019s Modulor.<\/p>\n

This restrained silhouette is further set off by the polished white gold case. The natural reflections emphasise the curving lines and shapes of this elegant timepiece. Like all the models in this collection, the 1972 Prestige has a cambered profile that reiterates the arched dial and sapphire crystal. For a highly sophisticated touch, the grey satin-finished sunburst dial features subtle chevron motifs accentuated by two 18K 5N pink gold dauphine hands.<\/p>\n

A legendary calibre <\/strong><\/p>\n

Since its beginnings, the 1972 collection has always housed remarkable mechanical movements. The new 1972 Prestige is no exception, since at its heart beats Vacheron Constantin\u2019s Calibre 1003, an extraordinary mechanical movement. While the fact that it is made of gold already sets it apart from most movements on the market, its other features are what have made it truly legendary.<\/p>\n

Calibre 1003 was developed starting in 1952 and introduced on the company\u2019s two-hundredth birthday in 1955. To this day, it remains the thinnest mechanical hand-wound movement on the market. Considered by many experts to be one of the most beautiful and sophisticated ultra-thin movements, Calibre 1003 has been defying the laws of mechanics for over 50 years. Making it is extremely complicated, and regulating it takes all the expertise of a Fine Watchmaking firm. On this occasion, Vacheron Constantin has chosen to use a revisited version of this calibre. It remains only 1.64 mm thick \u2013 still a record for thinness on the market. In contrast, its finishes are more sophisticated than in the early days, because now the bridges and plate are made of 18K gold. Its 117 components work at a frequency of 18,000 vph, and despite its minuscule size it has a power reserve of over 30 hours. It is meticulously finished: applying the C\u00f4tes de Gen\u00e8ve motif, circular graining and bevelling of the components, and drawing of the steel parts is all done entirely by hand.<\/p>\n

Today, the extreme slenderness of Vacheron Constantin\u2019s Calibre 1003 is paired with the 1972 Prestige model in service to a new stylistic expression, emboldened by the asymmetrical white gold case (water-resistant to 30 metres) and brown alligator leather strap. As a fitting final touch to an exceptional piece, the 1972 Prestige bears the famous Poin\u00e7on de Gen\u00e8ve (Hallmark of Geneva).<\/p>\n

A limited edition of 40 for special Boutiques <\/strong><\/p>\n

The same is true of a second version of this 1972 Prestige, which is styled with more contrast in shades of black and white. Unveiled for the opening of Vacheron Constantin\u2019s new Paris shop at 2 Rue de la Paix, it is offered in a limited edition of 40 pieces as a boutique exclusive. Extremely sophisticated, it stands out for its shining silvered dial and glossy black strap and naturally also has all the other features that make the 1972 Prestige an exceptional watch in every way.<\/p>\n