Celebration in the Wan village of Golipla. Appearance of the bôli glè kpleklé mask. – Credits: A.M.Boyer. abm-archives barbier-mueller

“Every time an old man dies in Africa, it is as if a library has burnt down”
Amadou Hampaté Bâ

This foundation aims to testify to little-known cultures, and to provide international support for anthropological observatory missions, publications and lectures.

Throughout its history stretching over more than 250 years, Vacheron Constantin has faithfully safeguarded the values that are not only the pillars of the watchmaking art as it is practiced, but also the unshakable foundations of the present and a guarantee of the future of the watch manufacturer.

The support Vacheron Constantin has provided for the Barbier-Mueller Museum in recent years is entirely in harmony with these guiding principles that have forged its corporate culture.

This cultural partnership between two Genevan institutions – stemming first and foremost from an encounter between individuals, and in particular that of Vacheron Constantin CEO Juan-Carlos Torres and Jean Paul Barbier-Mueller, President of the Barbier-Mueller Museums of Geneva, Barcelona and Cape Town – has given rise to the birth and the immense success of the Métiers d’Art Les Masques watch collection, as well as to major events such as the exhibition at the Jacquemart André Museum in Paris and a gala evening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

By committing itself to the creation of the Barbier-Mueller Museum Cultural Foundation, Vacheron Constantin is naturally extending its excellent relationship with the museum. Both share the affinities that have united them in this shared project, and both are inspired by a profound attachment to the innate richness of humankind and to its creative impetus as a life-giving principle.

Vacheron Constantin, Plan-les-Ouates, Genve

Finally, while the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin itself represents a heritage perpetuated since its creation in 1755, it is also establishing itself as a cultural and social institution in its own right. Its economic success thus enables it to engage in activities of general interest.

This is the first time the Geneva-based company is undertaking to support a cultural foundation. This project has already resulted in two studies that are about to be published.

The first was done by the Italian anthropologist Daniela Bognolo, a specialist on Burkina Faso, and deals with a “little-known people”, the Gan. It is due to be published in September 2010.

The second, conducted among the Wan, the Mona and the Koyaga people of the central Ivory Coast by Alain-Michel Boyer, should be released by the end of the year.

The Barbier-Mueller Museum Cultural Foundation, with the support of Vacheron Constantin, was officially presented on Wednesday March 24th by Jean Paul Barbier-Mueller and Juan-Carlos Torres at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. The press conference was also attended by Arnaud d’Hauterives, a member of the Institut de France, Perpetual Secretary of the French Academy of Fine Arts; and Stéphane Martin, President of the Musée du Quai Branly.

We are enclosing a brochure presenting the Foundation, its aims and its organization, along with the Board of the Foundation and the Scientific Committee.

The 3 Associate-Founders of Time Exhibitions Sàrl and Geneva Time Exhibition (From l. to r.: Florence Noël, Dominique Franchino, Paola Orlando)

Geneva, November 2009 The watchmaking revolution is underway! Independent brands and craftsmen are teaming up to fight the global economic crisis by participating to the Geneva Time Exhibition®. From January 17-22, 2010, some 35 watchmaking brands will display their latest collections at the first-ever Geneva Time Exhibition (GTE): a unique opportunity for all watch industry professionals to discover the exceptional creativity of the new watchmaking generation.

For a number of years, independent watchmaking brands have been looking to pool their forces at international exhibitions with a view to attacking new markets. Now, the Geneva Time Exhibition®, designed with the firms’ budgetary constraints in mind, replies to the crisis by offering them optimum conditions to seize the new financial opportunities that are opening up across the world today.

GTE provides a fantastic platform for an economic sector with immense creative potential. As independent watchmakers strive to give fresh impetus to endangered craftsmanship, they are offering a host of bold, ingenious solutions designed to refresh the image of traditional watchmaking. The result is an array of contemporary, classical or totally revolutionary timepieces which, in terms of both appearance and technology, transcend tradition.

Exhibitors at GTE 2010

ALAIN SILBERSTEIN
ANTOINE PREZIUSO
AQUANAUTIC
ASPEN
ATELIERS DEMONACO
ATELIERS LOUIS MOINET
BADOLLET
BRM
CABESTAN
CECIL PURNELL
CLAUDE MEYLAN
CLERC
CORNELIUS & CIE
HD3 COMPLICATION
LADOIRE GENÈVE
LINDE WERDELIN
LOUIS CHEVROLET
MAGELLAN WATCH
MARVIN WATCH C° 1850
MCT
METAL CH
PETER TANISMAN
PIERRE DE ROCHE
QUINTING
REBELLION TIMEPIECES
ROBERT & FILS 1630
SAINT HONORÉ PARIS
SNYPER
STEENMAN
SWISSKUBIK
TEMPVS COMPVTARE
TITANIUM CARGO
VALBRAY
VOLNA
ZANDIDOUST

Geneva Time Exhibition

Opening Hours:
Sunday 17 January 2010: 2pm – 8:30pm Monday 18 – Thursday 21: 8:30am – 8:30pm
Friday 22 January 2010: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Information & Accreditation: www.geneva-time-exhibition.ch

GTE is on Facebook!
Become a Fan:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Geneva-Time-Exhibition/216456588078?v=app_2344061033

Press Contact
Luxeco & Partners
Paola Orlando
Tel. +41(0)22 306 09 22
Port. +41(0)79 759 31 97
Email paola.orlando@luxeco.ch

IceLink 6Timezone Alarm Clocks

Successfully launched a few years ago, with its signature IceLink shape, the 6Timezone finds a new expression. The Alarm Clock with its six time zones and two alarms will find its place in your lifestyle as well as on the go.

The hour-markers of the two alarm dials and all the hands are illuminated with Superluminova which glow in the dark for ease of reading at night. The cities represented are: New York, Moscow, London, Tokyo, Geneva plus one local time zone.

The 6Timezone Alarm Clocks are available in steel with metallic black dials ($3,800), steel with MOP dials ($4,000) or black PVD with carbon dials ($4,200). Size: Height 105mm (4.25 inch) / Width 75mm (3 inch) / Depth 15mm (0.5 inch). The guarantee for the Alarm Clocks is like all the IceLink watches: 5 years. This represents an industry standard and shows the confidence in the brand and the products.

Vacheron Constantin Ad from 1955

The ultra-thin heritage

Vacheron Constantin has chosen today to revive some of the finest moments in the quest for ultra-thinness. The Geneva-based manufacturer has indeed been closely involved in the epic milestones of this distinctive form of expertise, such as in the 1950s and 1960s when Vacheron Constantin introduced the world’s thinnest wristwatches.

Today, Vacheron Constantin is enriching its “Historiques” collection with two new creations directly inspired by its heritage, each imbuing one of two legendary calibres with a new and distinctively modern touch.

“Historique Ultra-fine 1955”
equipped with the mechanical hand-wound 1003 movement the thinnest in the world at just 1.64 mm thick, rebuilt for this model in 18-carat gold, and bearing the Hallmark of Geneva

&

“Historique Ultra-fine 1968”
equipped with the ultra-thin mechanical self-winding 1120 movement featuring a new decorated oscillating weight, and bearing the Hallmark of Geneva

Vacheron Constantin Ultra-thin pocket watch, 1927

Vacheron Constantin was founded in 1755 and can legitimately claim to be the world’s oldest watch manufacturer still in activity, with over 250 years of continuous expertise and production behind it. A truly unique status within the watch industry.

This proud heritage cultivated over a quarter of a millennium is punctuated with timepieces and movements that have each in their own way left an indelible imprint on their era. This stunning and inestimably valuable patrimony, through which the brand’s history is inextricably bound up with that of the watch industry, eloquently testifies to the brand’s consistent technical and aesthetic creativity.

Evolving in step with new inventions, techniques and of course with the tastes of horological enthusiasts, Vacheron Constantin has explored all fields of the watchmaking art, including pocket-watches and wristwatches, as well as ring-watches, pendant-watches, and brooch-watches. Its range encompasses highly complicated models, automatons, sophisticated clocks, as well as an area which is less conspicuous yet requires an incredible wealth of expertise, experience and talent: that of ultra-thin mechanical movements.

Extreme slenderness is traditionally not considered as a horological complication, in that it does not itself contribute an additional watch function in the same way as a date or a chronograph. It would nonetheless be entirely legitimate to describe it as such, due to its highly complex nature that often pushes micromechanical boundaries to the limit. Although many try their hand in this field, few are successful.

While the first ultra-thin Vacheron Constantin calibres were produced in the 19th century, the manufacturer became most prolific in this speciality during the 20th century, which is generally considered as the ultra-thin “golden age”. It was indeed in the early 20th century that wristwatches began to gain popularity, and weight and thickness thus became crucial factors in ensuring the wearer comfort of such models.

Vacheron Constantin Ultra-thin pocket watch, 1931

The Vacheron Constantin heritage comprises extraordinary ultra-thin creations and a succession of slimness records.

Right from the start of the 19th century, the Vacheron Constantin archives (including a letter written by Jacques-Barthélémi Vacheron to a certain Mr. Girod in Paris, dated May 18th 1912) feature references to thin watches. Another letter dated January 28th 1829 and written by Jacques-Barthélémi Vacheron to François Constantin also mentions the production of “a few thin pieces”.

Vacheron Constantin’s historical records for 1911 also include three 8,9 and 10-ligne calibres, each measuring 2.82 mm thick. The remainder of the century witnessed an impressive number of ultra-thin calibres, representing impressive horological feats and becoming ever slimmer over the years: 2.25 mm in 1917, 1.88 in 1924. Some were used to create such extraordinary models as a rock crystal watch presented in 1926 and equipped with a 2.63 mm red gold movement (visual available).

In 1931, Vacheron Constantin set a new world pocket-watch record with a mechanical movement measuring 17 lignes 5/12 in diameter and less than 1 mm thick – exactly 0.94 mm to be precise (visual available)!

Ultra-thin movements continued to inspire the Geneva-based manufacturer, leading it in 1981 to present the “Structura” collection, which set a highly original stage for one of these movements by reversing it and fitting the hands on the bridge side, thereby enabling connoisseurs to admire the full complexity of its structure.

In 1992, Vacheron Constantin confirmed that its expertise in the field of extreme slenderness also extends to Grand Complication movements by presenting the thinnest minute repeater wristwatch movement to date, measuring 3.28 mm and earning the Geneva-based manufacturer set another record. (visual available).

Nor was Vacheron Constantin lagging behind when it came to self-winding movements. From 1945 onwards, it began developing ultra-thin self-winding movements such as the 477 9/12 which was to be the first of an entire generation : the 498 in 1951, the 499 and the 1019 in 1953, followed by the 1071 in 1958.

Patrimoine 1955

The world’s thinnest mechanical movements are developed in Vacheron Constantin’s historical L’Ile premises.

Within this impressive legacy, one particular hand-wound movement continues to attract the attention of specialists and collectors. Work on its development began in 1952 in L’Ile (the building on the Rhone River ‘island’ that has housed Vacheron Constantin’s historical premises since 1875) and it was presented for the brand bicentenary celebrations in 1955 under the name Calibre 1033.

Its 9-lignes or 21.05 mm diameter and 1.64 mm thickness have made it the world’s smallest mechanical movement on the market. By way of comparison, this micromechanical masterpiece composed of 120 parts is about the size of a small Swiss 20-centime coin.

This now legendary calibre (of which the excellence was to be confirmed by the subsequent orders placed by other great names in fine watchmaking) was used to equip three round watches that set a new record as the world’s thinnest watches measuring just 4.54 mm thick. These three timepieces have forever imprinted on people’s minds the image of the archetypal Vacheron Constantin watch: round, classic, ultra-thin and extremely reliable.

In 2010, Vacheron Constantin has chosen to pay tribute to this legendary calibre by housing it within a reinterpretation of one of those three watches: the “Historique Ultra-fine 1955”, currently the world’s thinnest watch measuring just 4.10 mm thick.

Patrimoine 1968 Profil

The development of Calibre 1120 began in 1966 and production began at the end of 1967. It too attracted the notice of specialists and collectors and was ordered by other great names in fine watchmaking. In 2010, Vacheron Constantin has also chosen to pay tribute to this equally legendary calibre by housing it within a reinterpretation of the vintage ultra-thin watches: the model now called “Historique Ultra-fine 1968”.

These two timepieces will find their natural place within the “Historiques” collection, specifically created to bring back to life the various designs and movements that have shaped the finest hours of Vacheron Constantin.

A collection composed of watches intended for watchmaking collectors, connoisseurs and devotees, for those with a taste for discreet and elegant models, as well as purists. It features models such as the Chronomètre Royal 1907 presented in 2007 to mark the 100th anniversary of the original, and the amazingly daring Historique American 1921 model reinterpreted in 2008 and which was named “Watch of the Year” in October 2009 in Geneva.

Frédérique Constant Maxime Heart Beat Moon & Date FC-335MS5M6 & FC-335AS5MZ9

A unique combination, bringing together the Heart Beat aperture, a moon phase indicator and date pointer

Geneva – September 2009
Swiss watch Manufacture Frédérique Constant Genève presents the latest version in its new Maxime series: the Maxime Heart Beat Moon & Date. This creation combines the iconic Heart Beat aperture at 12 o’clock, a moon phase indicator as well as a date pointer.

The new Maxime collection once again demonstrates the brand’s creativity thanks to its outstanding design, combining tradition and modernity. With a 42-mm case, the brushed steel of the case sides fits perfectly to the polished bezel, which is finished in either steel or in pink-gold capped, depending on the version chosen.

The Maxime Heart Beat Moon & Date is equipped with the complicated FC-335 automatic caliber. It incorporates a Heart Beat aperture at 12 o’clock, the iconic signature of Frédérique Constant. Moreover, at 6 o’clock, the moon phase indicator blends into the guilloché work of the dial, combining a Sunray pattern in the center and “Clous de Paris” decoration under the hand-polished hour-markers. These come in Arabic or Roman versions, finished in the same material as used for the bezel. Finally, a central hand on the outer circumference of the dial indicates the date.

Rich in functions, the Maxime Heart Beat Moon & Date is a watch that perfectly combines the modernity of its case design with the tradition of its dial finishing and its functionality. At the same time, it will not fail to enchant lovers of beautiful watches thanks to its positioning in the “Accessible Luxury” segment…

Live your Passion!

For more information, please contact:
Yasmina Pedrini: pedrini@frederique-constant.com

Mr. Walter von Känel, President of Longines, presenting the new Longines Heritage Retrograde.

Geneva (Switzerland), La Cité du Temps, 1 October 2009 – Longines has celebrated the 120th anniversary of the registration of a logo that the famous St. Imier watchmaker still uses today. Protected since 1889 in Switzerland (FOIP), this factory trademark comprising a winged hourglass and the name Longines is the oldest of its kind still active, in its original form, in the international registers kept by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). To mark the 120th anniversary of its logo, the brand has organised a themed exhibition in the Cité du Temps in Geneva, published a study about the symbol and created two exceptional limited series of timepieces numbered from 1 to 120.

During the event held in the Cité du Temps in Geneva, speeches were given by Brigitte Bolli Jost, Brand Registration Responsible at the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property and by Francis Gurry, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, at a press conference on the subject of national and international challenges, intellectual property and the need to protect trademarks in a globalised world.

Longines has created two limited series of watches, under the designation Longines Heritage Retrograde, each numbered from 1 to 120

Longines has organised an exhibition at the Cité du Temps in Geneva that explains the context in which this trademark was adopted and protected. The exhibits include historical models as well as original documents and follow the development of a logo, its symbolism and the creation of a watchmaking tradition. The exhibition is open to the public every day from Friday 2 October until Sunday 1 November, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The St. Imier watch manufacturer has also published a short study of the history and the challenges involved in creating the Longines brand from the point of view of the registration of a logo dating from 1889 that is still in use today. Finally, Longines has created two limited series of watches, under the designation Longines Heritage Retrograde, each numbered from 1 to 120, as a fitting tribute to a logo that has been protected since 1889.

About Longines

Based in St. Imier in Switzerland since 1832, the watchmaker Longines can look back on more than 175 years of non-stop craftsmanship, as well as a solid heritage as timekeeper for world championships in various sports and collaborator with different international sports federations. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 130 countries.

Frédérique Constant at the “ONLY WATCH 09” Charity Auction

Geneva – July 2009
It is with great honor and pleasure that we announce the participation of Swiss Watch Manufacturer Frédérique Constant in the “ONLY WATCH 09” Charity Auction, held in Monte-Carlo on Thursday, September 24th, 2009, under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Watch aficionados and representatives of the world’s most prestigious watch manufacturers gather to witness the third edition of this exceptional auction. All participating brands contributed to raise funds for research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a serious genetic disease that affects one out of 3500 boys born, by donating a unique wristwatch for the event. This Charity Auction afforded to raise € 1,9 M in 2005 and € 2,7 M in 2007.

The 2009 Frédérique Constant’s contributing lot will be as unique and engaged as this Charity Auction: The Heart Beat Trilogy, for the first time assembled in a common luxurious jewel box, which includes a choice of different bracelet. This very feminine Heart Beat Trilogy intended for a very special woman, designed by women for women.

Each of the three watches in the Heart Beat Trilogy is special:
- A unique Heart Beat Manufacture Automatic Pavée, the most luxurious and sparkling ladies timepiece within our Heart Beat collection.
- A unique Double Heart Beat Chocolate Pavée, joined to the “International Children’s Heart Foundation”.
- And a unique Love Heart Beat, linked to “Paint a Smile” Foundation.

Before the Auction planned in Monaco on September 24th, the Heart Beat Trilogy will do a worldwide

Tour in different famous places, well-known from the watch lovers:

Preview exhibitions
Shanghai (Park Hyatt): 29 – 31 July
Geneva (Patrizzi & Co): 27 – 29 August
London (Asprey): 3 – 5 September
New York (Tourneau): 10 – 12 September
Milan (Pisa Orologeria): 17 – 18 September
Monaco Yacht Show: 23 – 24 September

Auction
Monaco (Yacht show) 24 September at 18.00

Vacheron Constantin Malte Moon Phase and Power-Reserve

Five different finishes for an ultra-sophisticated new dial: the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin once again demonstrates its superlative mastery of the watchmaking art with its new Malte Moon Phase and Power-Reserve model.

The tonneau or “barrel” shape, explored by Vacheron Constantin since 1912. In 1889, the Geneva-based manufacturer produced its very first wristwatches and also began charting new stylistic territory, in step with the major artistic movements characterising the dawn of the 20th century. In turn elongating, curving, embellishing or paring down the case according to the inspiration of the moment, Vacheron Constantin already introduced departures from exclusively round designs in 1912, starting with the famous tonneau or “barrel” shape. A contemporary expression of the brand’s inimitable artistic sensitivity, the Malte line was born with the third millennium in a reinterpretation of the tonneau shape. As the loyal guardian of an unbroken Genevan watchmaking tradition since 1755, Vacheron Constantin has an exceptional heritage that represents an inexhaustible source of inspiration for its contemporary creations such as this new Malte model.

With its generously sized case (39×49mm), original fan-shaped lugs, distinctively graphic dial design and facetted dagger-shaped hands, the new Malte is bound to delight the most demanding connoisseurs.

The tonneau-shaped case frames a magnificently harmonious dial in silvered gold, striking a perfect balance between technical and traditional watchmaking. It is adorned with five different finishes, all of them involving highly skilled craftsmanship. The inner zone features a silvered, finely hand-guilloché “Clous de Paris” or hobnail motif. The outer zone is decorated with a vertical satin-brushed finish, also silvered. The minute circle, the power-reserve display as well as the inscriptions Vacheron Constantin Genève and Swiss Made are all transferred, while the seconds subdial at 6 o’clock is circular satin-brushed. And finally, the minute-circle and power-reserve zones are screen-printed in white. The moon-phase display embodies a clever blend of technology and expertise, composed of a disc with a galvanised base and a moon face in 18-carat white gold or pink gold depending on the model. The extremely broad dial ensuring user-friendly readability is punctuated by nine hour-markers, two Roman numerals and a Maltese cross, all in 18-carat white or pink gold, depending on the version.

Vacheron Constantin Malte Moon Phase and Power Reserve, white gold

The manual-winding 1410 calibre powering the Malte Moon Phase and Power-Reserve is entirely developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin. It bears the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva, a token of quality reserved exclusively for movements stemming from the finest Geneva workshops, and graced with exceptionally careful hand-crafted finishing. Both sides of the mainplate are circular-grained and the edge drawn out, meaning adorned with parallel lines using a file and bevelled. Also meticulously drawn out and bevelled, the bridges are embellished with a Côtes de Genève motif. In addition to hour and minute hands, Calibre 1410 drives a precision moon-phase display which will not require any setting for more than 100 years and an indication of the over 40-hour power reserve. This 22-jewel manual-winding movement oscillates at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The Malte Moon Phase and Power-Reserve is available with a case in 18-carat white gold or 5N pink gold. The satin-brushed case-back is secured by screws. The dial is protected by a glareproofed cambered sapphire crystal. Naturally guaranteed water-resistant to a depth of 30 metres, this timepiece is fitted with a square-scale alligator-leather strap in black for the white gold model and chestnut brown for the rose gold model – both equipped with a gold folding clasp matching the case colour.

Vacheron Constantin Malte Moon Phase and Power Reserve, pink gold

Technical Specifications

References
Malte moon phase and power-reserve
83080/000G-9408 et 83080/000R-9407

Movement
1410, developed and produced Vacheron Constantin
Stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva

Energy
Mechanical, manual-winding

Height of movement
4.2 mm

Diameter of movement
26.00 mm

Jewels
22 rubies

Frequency
28′800 vibrations/hours

Indications
Hours, minutes
Small seconds at 6 o’clock
Precision moon phase
Power-reserve

Power-reserve
Approx. 40 hours

Case
18 K white or 5N pink gold
39 mm x 49 mm tonneau shape

Water-resistance
3 bar, equivalent to 30 meters

Dial
18 K white or 5N pink gold
Silvered, « Clou de Paris » hand-guilloché interior zone
Vertical satin finished exterior zone
Applied Maltese cross in 18K white gold or 5N pink gold

Strap
Black or brown hand-stitched, saddle-finish, square-scaled alligator leather

Clasp
18K white or 5N pink gold folding clasp, polished half Maltese cross

Vogue Joyas winners

The prestigious Spanish orchestra conductor Inma Shara, international image of Vacheron Constantin, received proudly the Award

Madrid, 23th June, 2009- The Vogue Jewels Awards 2009 was celebrated in Madrid (Spain). The impressive model Kallania won the prize in the category “Best Jewel Watch”.

The prestigious Spanish orchestra’s conductor Inma Shara, international image of Vacheron Constantin, was accompanied by Jean Louis Queimado, Brand Manager of Vacheron Constantin Iberia. This award is recognition to the exquisite work that has inspired the Manufacture’s master craftsmen to create a new world record: 186 emerald-cut diamonds for a total of approximately 170 carats that illuminates this miracle of patience and perfection.

Kallania is a masterpiece and a worthy heir of the renowned Kallista, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year.

Inma Shara, international image of Vacheron Constantin

Before it was individually certified by the independent laboratory of the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF), each diamond went through a long and a selection process from among a large number of stones extracted from several million tones of diamantiferous deposit. The exceptional level of purity, colour, cut, finishing and homogeneity is a rare achievement indeed.

More than any other factor, it is the proportions and precise positioning of the thousands of facets that make precious stones so beautiful. Perfectly aligned, the facets have been meticulously polished by experts to achieve a maximum clarity of reflected light.

Thanks to their light and delicate finishing, the diamonds reveal all their splendor once they have been inserted using the bead-setting technique; each bead is shaped like an inverted pyramid to lighten the appearance of the piece and highlight its luster and radiance.

The assembly, which is carved from white gold, gives shape to the cascade of diamonds which cover it. The perfectly integrated case and bracelet give this distinctive cuff-watch a contemporary air.

By combining traditional savoir-faire with contemporary design, Vacheron Constantin has once again affirmed its values in the 21st century. This house collectors’ piece shows its true worth, the thinnest mechanical movement in the world, the 1003 caliber. Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin, it is stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva.

Vacheron Constantin Kallania

Technical Specifications

Reference
Kallania – 33870/S02G-9452

Movement
1003, developed and produced Vacheron Constantin
Stamped with the hallmark of Geneva

Energy
Mechanical, manual-winding

Height of movement
1.64 mm

Diameter of movement
20.80 mm

Jewels
18 rubies

Frequency
18′000 vibrations/hour

Indications
Hours and minutes

Power-reserve
Approx. 30 hours

Water-resistance
3 bar, equivalent to 30 metres

Case
18K white gold set with 18 emerald-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 35 ct.

Dial
18K white gold set with 32 emerald-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 9.5 ct.

Bracelet
18K white gold set with 136 emerald-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 125 ct.

Clasp
Paved scale clasp in 18K white gold

Total of the weight of approx 169.5 ct.

“Best of the Best” Men’s watch 2009 by Robb Report

François-Paul Journe is acclaimed once again for its horological creations of exception; the Répétition Minute Souveraine has been awarded “Best of the Best” Men’s watch 2009 by Robb Report in the USA.

F.P.Journe, with its distinctive label – Invenit et Fecit, (invented and made) stamped on all watches of the collection certify an exclusive calibre, invented, manufactured and assembled entirely in the workshops of its Manufacture in the centre of Geneva. It vouches an authentic and innovative horology in the whole of its conception and symbolises the fundamental values of haute horlogerie.

F.P.Journe is mastering the measurement of time with the first ultra-slim minute repeater and once again raises the bar for striking watches. He has re-invented the minute repeater mechanism in a way which enables strong crystal clear tones to emanate from a seemingly impossibly svelte movement, with a size of barely 4mm, more reminiscent of a simple hand wound calibre than a highly intricate and complex complication.

F.P.Journe - Répétion Souveraine

Two key technical developments have enabled François-Paul Journe to construct a sweet sounding ultra-slim repeater movement. The first is the flat gong, first seen on the F.P. Journe Grande Sonnerie, which produces a louder and clearer sound than traditional gongs. And because the gong is mounted under the dial, instead of around the movement, it allows more room for the movement.

The second is an innovative system of striking racks and strike selection mechanisms which take up much less space than conventional strike mechanisms. These redevelopments have merited the application of two patents.