Vacheron Constantin Watches

About Vacheron Constantin Watches

Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin is one of the oldest watch makers in the world. The company was founded in Geneva, Switzerland by Jean-Marc Vacheron. Vacheron was a young and hopeful entrepreneur who was looking to make a name for himself in Switzerland. Little did Vacheron know that 250 years later, his company would be one of the finest watch makers in the world.In 1770, Vacheron decided to venture out from the usual watches and patented the first "complication," a watch that offers more than just a dial and arms.Later on, Vacheron continued with its pioneering spirit by launching the world’s first engine turned dials. Vacheron continued to release updated technology for watchmaking, setting the standards for his time with new timepieces. He continued this type of innovative technology on his timepieces until he passed away in 1785, leaving his company to his son, Abraham Vacheron.

Abraham Vacheron studied the art of watchmaking under his father for many years. Vacheron was able to release even more products than his father. With the rise in demand for his watches, Vacheron continued to enjoy the success of the company that he inherited from his father. In 1789, when stories of the French Revolution broke out, the Vacheron Constantin workers began to worry about their job security. Despite this sense of foreboding, the company pressed on and made it through this tumultuous time when cash flow became weak and the future of the company was uncertain.

Abraham Vacheron also left the company to his son, Jaques- Barthelemy. This Vacheron proved to be another great leader in the organization. He began to export his products outside of the country to France and Italy. As the Vacheron name became more widely known, Vacheron was unable to handle this growing organization by himself. He knew that if the company were to grow and flourish, he would need to travel to more countries than just France and Italy. He decided that the best course of action was to partner with François Constantin in 1919. The company then became known as “Vacheron Constantin”.

After each partner in the new company settled into his place, Vacheron realized that it would be better if Constantin were to travel the world instead of him. As a result of this decision, the company opened up a new market in North America. With the rise in merchants and new businessmen in America, it would be a smart business move to supply them with precise watches. In a letter from Constantin to Vacheron, Constantin says, “Do better if possible and that is always possible.” This quote became the company’s motto, which is still used today.

The company continued to progress, and in 1839, Georges-Auguste Leschot was hired. Leschot was initially hired to oversee manufacturing, but Leschot wanted to do more than this for the company. He became a watch designer for the company, and his discoveries continue to impact the watch industry today. Leschot brought the watch industry together by creating calibers that standardize watch movements.

Vacheron and Constantin continued to experience success and opened their first brand-specific shop in Geneva in 1906. The store is still in business today. Although many watch companies faced hard times in the years that followed during the Depression, the company continued to release new watches. The brand released the world’s thinnest mechanical watch around this same time. The company is also famous for releasing the most expensive watch ever made at 5 million dollars, known as “The Kallista”. Today, The Kallista would sell for around 11 million dollars. The Kallista took makers 6,000 hours to produce, and it also boasts quite a few precious stones. Today, the company produces about 20,000 products per year with collections such as “Overseas”, “Egerie”,” Metier d’Art” and “Les Masques”. Vacheron Constantin has also been acquired by Richemont Group. Interested in selling your Vacheron Constantin?