A Summary of Vacheron Constantin's New Watches for 2021

Overseas Everest

　Two new models have been added to the sportiest Overseas collection: a chronograph model and a dual-time model bearing the "Everest" name. Both are limited to 150 pieces.

　This model is based on the prototype worn by American photographer and explorer Cory Richards on his ascent of Mount Everest in 2019. The Overseas is positioned as a symbol of the spirit of discovery with an eye to the world, and this collection is a fitting tribute to Cory Richards's achievement of successfully summiting Everest for the third time, taking the Northeast Ridge, known as the most difficult and dangerous route.

　The exterior of this watch combines different finishes of titanium and stainless steel: the case is satin-brushed, the pushers are polished, and the bezel, crown, and pusher guards are made of bead-blasted titanium. The anthracite gray tone of the titanium is contrasted with the polished stainless steel bezel ring.

　The straps are a Cordura strap with a nubuck calfskin lining, as well as a rubber strap, which, like the previous model, are interchangeable and can be easily changed.

The Overseas Chronograph Everest is equipped with the automatic caliber 5200/2, which features a column wheel and vertical clutch. The 22KPG automatic winding rotor is engraved with an Everest motif based on a photograph taken by Corey Richards. The three chronograph hands are a desaturated orange, contrasting with the NAC-treated dial for improved legibility.

The Overseas Dual Time Everest is equipped with the automatic caliber 5110 DT/2, which displays two time zones. In addition to the local time displayed by the central hand, a fourth hand, finished in a desaturated orange with a triangular arrow at the tip, indicates the home time. The corresponding day/night indicator is also orange. As with the chronograph model, the automatic winding rotor is engraved with Everest.

American 1921 Unique Piece

　To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the American 1921, Vacheron Constantin has unveiled the American 1921 Unique Piece, a faithful reproduction of the original model. Only 24 examples of the original were produced in 1921, and this piece was created based on a single example from a private collection, bringing together the expertise of the Maison's restoration workshop and heritage department.

　The company's Heritage department occupies a unique position within the Manufacture: it houses 800 machines, workbenches, tools, important documents and iconographical materials, as well as production and accounting ledgers, including records of correspondence with suppliers and customers. This vast amount of information has served as a source of inspiration for the creation of new collections, as well as the foundation for a restoration workshop capable of restoring any watch ever made.

　Even for the restoration workshop, which is skilled at preserving any timepiece's original appearance with its extensive information and equipment, this was the first attempt to recreate an entire antique watch. The process, which was carried out in a way that was faithful to the original, achieved a remarkable feat. The history and manufacturing methods of the "American 1921," as uncovered by the Heritage Department, were embodied in this unique piece by the restoration workshop, who combined historical know-how with modern techniques. Specifically, a late 19th-century face milling machine owned by the Heritage Department was used to faithfully recreate the case, a vertical machine equipped with an 18th-century drill was used to drill the movement's baseplate, and an early 20th-century hammering machine was used to set the bearing stone.

　The resulting American 1921 Unique Piece will be exhibited in a rotating network of Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world throughout 2021.

Traditional Complete Calendar

　Vacheron Constantin has added a new model to its Traditionnelle Complete Calendar collection, featuring an 18K white gold case and a velvet-finished slate gray dial.

　The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle collection aims to offer a contemporary expression of watchmaking tradition, featuring models reminiscent of the timepieces crafted by the Genevan “cabinotiers” who dedicated their timepieces during the Enlightenment. These distinctive features include stepped round cases and lugs, a coin-edge caseback, a railway minute track, and dauphine-style hour and minute hands.

　While following this design code, it also features a pointer date, a month display at 3 o'clock, a moon phase at 9 o'clock, and a day of the week display at 9 o'clock. The date display is positioned around the outer edge of the minute track and is indicated by a hand with a crescent moon motif, and the month and day of the week are positioned further away from each other on the outer edge than in a typical triple calendar, allowing for ample space to be left and right for the highly accurate moon phase display at the bottom of the dial.

　This new model follows on from the existing 18K pink gold model, and features a 41mm case crafted from 18K white gold and a velvet-finish slate gray dial. This new color complements the dial's display style and gives the watch a contemporary look.

　The watch is equipped with the Cal. 2460 QCL/1 movement, an evolution of the Cal. 2450, VCVJ's first designed and developed automatic movement. Because the Cal. 2450 is kept to a mere 3.60mm thick, the Cal. 2460 QCL/1, which adds a complete calendar, is also just 5.4mm thick. The finished thickness of the watch is also kept to 10.7mm, maintaining the elegant proportions befitting this model.

Traditional Tourbillon Japan Limited Edition

　Vacheron Constantin has announced the "Traditionnelle Tourbillon Japan Limited Edition," featuring a guilloched dial, specially created for the Hourglass Ginza store, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. This model features the Traditionnelle collection's distinctive features, which express the traditions of watchmaking in a modern way: a stepped round case and lugs, a case back with a coin-edge pattern, a railway minute track, and dauphine-shaped hour and minute hands, as well as a tourbillon at 6 o'clock, which pays homage to the traditions of watchmaking.

　The movement is the automatic Cal. 2160/1. Its distinctive features include an openworked tourbillon reminiscent of a Maltese cross and a slim movement thickness of just 5.65mm, keeping the case thickness to just 10.4mm. Furthermore, the automatic winding mechanism uses a peripheral rotor, which is positioned on the outer periphery of the movement, so it does not obscure the back of the tourbillon or the movement's finish.

　The two dials specially created for this watch are both hand-guilloched. One features a unique design with a pattern radiating from the tourbillon carriage at 3 o'clock and a ripple-like pattern at 9 o'clock, creating a unique look on each side. The other features a combination of a wave pattern and a diamond-shaped geometric pattern, creating a three-dimensional effect resembling stacked cubes.

　Both will be sold in limited quantities of six bottles each at the Hourglass Ginza store.