Recently, Vacheron Constantin paid tribute to Haute Couture, a strictly coded, rigorously disciplined, and imaginative universe with which it maintains a close affinity. The choice of watches from the maison’s private collection highlighted the strong connection between Haute Horlogerie and Haute Couture. In the exhibition held at the Vacheron Constantin boutique in Lisbon, these pieces proved to be testimonies to the feminine creativity that the manufacture has cultivated for over two centuries.
This rare exhibition presented ten models from the Swiss brand’s museum, seeking to represent the evolution of fashion and the role of women in society over time. In this context, the maison established an unprecedented partnership with the National Costume Museum, which also explored its archives for dresses and accessories that represented the spirit of past eras as well as the showcased watches.
Since the mid-20th century, Haute Couture maisons have been governed by a set of rules regulating all their activities, from creating pieces in the atelier to fashion shows. This rigorous discipline naturally stimulated the imagination of maisons, giving rise to a complete universe of style, luxury, and quality. Similarly, their counterparts in Haute Horlogerie, such as Vacheron Constantin, have adhered to a series of principles ensuring that their watches result from a fusion of art and knowledge.
Vacheron Constantin and Haute Couture share a dedication to impeccable quality, coupled with creativity and a characteristic craftsmanship approach of the artistic trades. One cannot mention this proximity without highlighting the feminine universe, a privileged domain of expression in Haute Couture and the embodiment of Vacheron Constantin’s artistic sensitivity for over two centuries.
High-Fashion Watchmaking for Women
Since the early days of history, women have shown an interest in watchmaking, often seeking to enhance their adornments with sometimes unusual but generally conceived objects as authentic jewelry. However, the practical aspects of these items were not overlooked, as evidenced by various notable results, such as calendar watches created especially for ladies. The earliest examples of this category, present in the maison’s Heritage Private Collection, date back to 1812.
Vacheron Constantin’s Heritage: A Living and Inspiring Treasure
The Heritage collections of Vacheron Constantin, comprising more than 1,300 pieces, testify to the remarkable creative impulse in the field of women’s watches. The first historical reference dates back to 1815, featuring a yellow gold pocket watch with a finely engraved case, adorned with a floral motif highlighted by garnets. The maison thus began the manifestation of the special attention it has dedicated to women. Whether functional watches, ceremonial pieces, jewelry, or sports watches, Vacheron Constantin’s women’s watches have always known how to capture artistic trends and adapt them to the attire of the time, changes in the social status of women, their desires, and even their most exotic whims. Since 1800, they have continuously influenced the most successful creations of the maison.
Two centuries of creativity in one exhibition
To illustrate these two centuries of feminine watchmaking, Vacheron Constantin selected some pieces from its Heritage collections and complemented them with pieces from the era of the National Costume Museum. Just as a great couturier designs clothing for special events, the maison selected a set of watches to match the look worn at a gala, teatime, lunch, or cocktail hour, not forgetting the accessory watch, an indispensable item for those with good taste.
