TRIBUTE TO A FLAMBOYANT CENTENARIAN

Several significant milestones mark the history of over 250 years of uninterrupted activity by Vacheron Constantin. In the eyes of all connoisseurs, the year 1907 holds a special significance. In that year, the Geneva-based manufacture introduced its first Chronomètre Royal and subsequently registered this invaluable mark of nobility.

Right from the start, the Chronomètre Royal—initially offered as a pocket watch—gained international success, distinguishing itself from the watchmaking production of the time due to its exceptional qualities.

Its legendary robustness, reliability, and precision brought joy to enthusiasts living in climates previously unfavorable to timepieces' proper functioning.

This marked the beginning of an extraordinary adventure for the Vacheron Constantin Chronomètre Royal model, which continued to surprise with its functional qualities and evolve throughout the 20th century. To celebrate this historic milestone and pay homage to this iconic piece from the Geneva Manufacture and the values it embodies, Vacheron Constantin presents a new Chronomètre Royal 1907 in its "Historiques" line.

Crafted in the spirit of the era and showcasing the work of artisans, the Chronomètre Royal 1907—offered in this anniversary year as a limited edition of 100 exclusive pieces—stands out, especially with its classically inspired case and Grand Feu enamel dial, crafted in the purest watchmaking tradition.

In addition, it houses a new in-house automatic movement, the Calibre 2460 SCC, equipped with a seconds stop and benefiting from the double certification of the Geneva Seal and the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).

With this Chronomètre Royal 1907, Vacheron Constantin returns to its roots, combining creativity and historical rigor. This rare piece is undoubtedly a product for connoisseurs, representing the perfect expression of the values of classical high watchmaking embodied by Vacheron Constantin for over 250 years.

It was destined that May 28, 1907, would mark a pivotal moment in the history of Vacheron Constantin. On that day, the registration of the mark "Chronomètre Royal Vacheron Constantin Genève" and the presentation of the first pocket watch bearing this prestigious label paved the way for a timepiece with all the necessary ingredients to enter the realm of legend.

This early recognition is primarily due to the intrinsic qualities of this pocket watch, whose simplicity is matched only by its precision and robustness. Immediately, it attracted interest and curiosity, as its technical and functional qualities seemed timeless. In the early 1900s, the features unique to this pocket watch were rare enough to etch the name of this prestigious lineage into history.

The resounding echo produced by the Chronomètre Royal model and its immediate international success prompted the Geneva manufacture to quickly secure its position. The mark "Chronomètre Royal Vacheron Constantin Genève" was registered in Switzerland in 1907 by Vacheron Constantin.

A century after the advent of the Chronomètre Royal, history notes that the enthusiasm of the early years has never waned. In total, nearly 20 models and as many calibers have illustrated the chapters of this success story.

The first pocket watch models with 22-line movements stand out for their reliability and robustness, making them the watch of the early 20th century. It's no coincidence that it experienced immediate success in Latin America, as it became one of the first watches to withstand long-term climatic variations and the particular conditions of this continent.

Altitude, significant daily temperature variations, high humidity—nothing impairs the functioning of the Chronomètre Royal, finding a particularly lucrative market in these regions. Customers in these areas, often far from after-sales service centers, were especially interested in the reliability of their timepieces over long periods.

This necessity turned into a requirement that contributed to the success of the Chronomètre Royal, capable of functioning perfectly for many years in the most challenging conditions.

In addition to the robustness and precision of mechanical movements, the exceptional quality of the dials also played a role in the legend of the Chronomètre Royal. Made of Grand Feu enamel to resist oxidation, often adorned with Arabic numerals and an external minute track, these dials easily withstand the ravages of time. The remarkable condition of nearly centennial pocket watches returning to the Vacheron Constantin after-sales service workshops for a mechanical heart revision is a testament to this.

Over time, this robustness and reliability have become true hallmarks of the Vacheron Constantin Chronomètre Royal. However, they have been inscribed in the heritage and genetics of the Manufacture for much longer. The rich correspondence between the traveler François Constantin and the watchmaker Jacques Barthélémy Vacheron repeatedly emphasizes the expressed desire from the former to the latter: no need to produce ornate pieces that are in vogue, but rather focus on robustness and precision.

A century later, this dual requirement for long-term robustness and precision will be inseparably linked to the multiple evolutions of the Chronomètre Royal. In this regard, this prestigious lineage is emblematic of Vacheron Constantin.

A significant chapter in the history of the Chronomètre Royal model was written in 1953 with the introduction of the first wristwatch bearing this label. The classic codes of its yellow gold case continue the legacy of the Chronomètre Royal pocket watches.

At the heart of this wristwatch is the manually wound calibre 1007 with small seconds and balance stop, stamped with the Geneva Seal and delivered with its Observatory Timing Certificate. This 12-line movement, or its nearly identical counterpart, the calibre 1008 with central seconds, would equip all Chronomètre Royal wristwatches from Vacheron Constantin between 1953 and 1962. The stop-seconds or balance-stop system they feature allows extremely precise time-setting. If there is a significant argument for a timepiece that places precision as a cardinal virtue, the seconds stop is still extremely rare in wristwatches of that era.

Remaining faithful to the principles that earned the reputation of the early generations of Chronomètre Royal, these wristwatches showcase remarkable chronometric performance. Vacheron Constantin takes pride in highlighting the unparalleled skills of the Maison in this regard and its ability to consistently outshine its peers in the most prestigious competitions.

An advertisement from 1957 attests to this, recalling the first prize for a dashboard chronometer and then discussing the precision qualities of its Chronomètre Royal wristwatch: "Every year, Vacheron & Constantin competes with the best Swiss brands at the Geneva Observatory competition. Once again, in 1956, Vacheron & Constantin earned honors in this particularly rigorous competition, with results worthy of a watchmaking tradition dating back more than 200 years. Vacheron & Constantin not only rank at the forefront in categories A and B but also place 8 of their chronometers in the top 10 of each of these categories!"

The announcement then goes on to describe the precision characteristics of the Chronomètre Royal wristwatch: "A watch of great class created for a demanding clientele by the same experts who, at Vacheron & Constantin, produced the award-winning chronometers at observatory competitions."

This concern for chronometric precision is inseparable from the history of the Chronomètre Royal watch. It will continue with the arrival of the first automatic movements—calibers 1072 and 1072Q with a date—equipping the Chronomètre Royal from 1962.

Another movement of interest in this collection is the sought-after calibre 1096 produced in the 1970s in a relatively limited series. The round shape of the case was abandoned for the first time in 1976 in a limited edition steel Chronomètre Royal. The classic round gold case would reclaim its place in 1998 to perpetuate an exceptional history that was almost a century old.

Our Anniversary model comes with its box, certificate of origin, and an extract from the archives:

Reference: Chronomètre Royal 1907 - 86122/000R-9286 Limited Edition: 100 units in 2007 for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Chronomètre Royal Caliber: 2460 SCC, manufactured by Vacheron Constantin Mechanical automatic winding Stamped with the Geneva Seal Certified COSC Dial: White Grand Feu enamel - 18-carat gold 11 enameled Arabic numerals in black, with the number 12 in burgundy red. Movement thickness: 3.60 mm Movement diameter: 25.60 mm, equivalent to 11 and a half lines Power reserve: Over 40 hours Jeweling: 27 jewels Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour Indications: Hours, minutes, seconds at the center Case: 18-carat rose gold, 39 mm in diameter Water resistance: Tested at a pressure of 3 atm, equivalent to 30 meters Strap: Hand-stitched brown alligator leather Clasp: Classic, with buckle, in 18-carat rose gold Polished Half-Malte Cross.

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HOMMAGE À UN FLAMBOYANT CENTENAIRE

Plusieurs repères marquants jalonnent l’histoire de plus de 250 années d’activité ininterrompue de Vacheron Constantin. Aux yeux de tous les connaisseurs, la date de 1907 présente un relief tout particulier. Cette année-là, la manufacture genevoise présente son premier Chronomètre Royal et dépose dans la foulée cette marque inestimable empreinte de noblesse.

D’emblée, le Chronomètre Royal – proposé évidemment à l’époque en montre de poche - connaît un succès international tant ses qualités le distinguent de la production horlogère d’alors.

Sa robustesse, sa fiabilité et sa précision devenues légendaires font le bonheur des amateurs vivant sous