Picture from Vacheron Constantin: Artists of Time

 

Women as the Origin: One of The First Ladies’ Wristwatches of Vacheron Constantin

In 1886, Vacheron Constantin received a special order from one of its most esteemed clients in Paris, the renowned watch and jewelry maker, Jacques Gustave Sandoz—better known as Gustave Sandoz.

Picture from Wikipedia

 

Born in Paris in 1836, Gustave Sandoz was born to continue the watchmaker legacy of the family spanning five generations.Specializing in the repair of regulators, marine chronometers, astronomical clocks, and other highly precise instruments, Gustave Sandoz achieved significant success. As his reputation grew, he expanded his expertise to jewelry making, combining technical precision with artistic elegance.
By the late 19th century, especially in the 1870s and 1880s, his fame reached its zenith, even bringing him to the 1889 Universal Exhibition.

For this particular event, Gustave Sandoz commissioned a remarkable creation from Vacheron Constantin: a ladies’ jewelry watch. Today, this exquisite timepiece, featuring a yellow gold case on a half-bangle bracelet with jewelry clasp and safety chain, with chased bracelet attachments depicting two winged goddesses in high relief, is preserved in Vacheron Constantin’s archives and is recognized by the brand as one of the first serially produced wristwatches.

Since 1889, Vacheron Constantin began its story with ladies’ wristwatches.

Picture from Vacheron Constantin

 

Since the very beginning of its voyage in ladies’ wristwatches, the aesthetic in the designs by Vacheron Constantin has experienced grand evolutions, yet the elegant essence remains the same.

Inheriting the continual tradition of yellow gold, in 1944, the brand brought to the world another extraordinary piece set in yellow gold fantaisie case, with sapphires cover, on a yellow gold bracelet with diamonds.

Picture from Secrets of Vacheron Constantin

 

Similar designs appeared in this exceptional piece dated back to about 1946 as well.

Vacheron Constantin Oversize Lady Bracelet Watch sold for €70,560 in Green Auctioneers. LINK

 

Women as the Inspiration: Ladies’ Need and Functional Taste

In Vacheron Constantin’s selected archives in the 19th century, 30% of the letters received by the Maison were from women.

Back then, the brand’s unique timepieces were specially designed for women at their request for a combination of elegance and function. These timepieces served not only as functional accessories but also as ceremonial objects, symbolizing both social distinction and the lady’s superior taste.

After the 1950s, case covers emerged in colorful designs, featuring precious stones and pearls, enameled volutes, and intricate arabesque engravings, and were tailored to the tastes of the lady wearing the piece or placing the order. With a sharp understanding of the shifting styles, Vacheron Constantin attuned its creations to the prevailing trends of the era.

In 1917, Vacheron Constantin presented the delicate ladies’ watch featured with platinum case and chain bracelet, the cover decorated with an emerald intaglio bearing a portrait of classical Greek inspiration.

Picture from Secrets of Vacheron Constantin

Around the same time, another unique timepiece, set on platinum bracelet with rock crystal, sapphire, and diamond-set concealed dial, as well as silver dial with Arabic numerals, too, showcased the brand’s acute sense and infinite creativity.

Vacheron Constantin Platinum Wristwatch sold for €76,860 in Green Auctioneers. LINK

With the advent of constantly evolving designs, watches transitioned from a pocket accessory to a versatile piece that could be worn as a pendant, a chatelaine necklace, or a brooch. By the end of the 19th century, women’s fashion and tastes were also evolving, and again, Vacheron Constantin demonstrated a keen awareness of the changes, aligning its creations with the contemporary trends at that time.

As another demonstration appeared around 1917, this exceptional watch was transformable into a ring, featuring silver dial, detachable bracelets, and ring chain.

Vacheron Constantin Transformable Watch into a Ring sold for €27,720 in Green Auctioneers. LINK

Around the same time period, this possibly unique bracelet watch from 1918, featured with a 18k white gold bracelet, diamond-set, onyx and two carved agate flowers, also represented the brand’s timeless design of an era. This bracelet watch is also featured in L’Univers de Vacheron Constantin by Lambelet et Coen.

Vacheron Constantin Lady Bracelet Watch sold for €18,270 in Green Auctioneers. LINK

Apart from diamond, platinum, and other silvery materials, circa 1925, Vacheron Constantin also took a bold step into employing 18k yellow gold and red lacquer in this exceptional lapel watch, with “Chinoiserie” decorations on the case back and assorted bow, designed by Verger Freres, retailed by Black Starr & Frost in New York. It is also a possibly unique timepiece that is wearable as a brooch, in alignment with the decorative fashion trend of the time.

Vacheron Constantin Retailed By Black Starr & Frost sold for €18,900 in Green Auctioneers. LINK

Women as the Motivation: Creative Collaborations and the New Narration

In the 20th century, under the influence of Ferdinand Verger, the French agent collaborating with Vacheron Constantin since 1879, wristwatches were transformed into jewelry.

Picture from Verger Freres

 Starting in the 1940s, women began wearing watches almost only on their wrists.
In the 2024 exhibition “Legacy of Time: Métiers d’Art–A Celebration of Savoirs and Savoir-Faire” in Hong Kong, collaborating with Delvaux and K11 Craft & Guild Foundation, Vacheron Constantin presented this fabulous piece with yellow gold case and bracelet decorated with diamonds and emeralds created in 1948.

Picture from Secrets of Vacheron Constantin

 

Picture of One of the Showcase Windows in “Legacy of Time: Métiers d’Art–A Celebration of Savoirs and Savoir-Faire” Exhibition, 2024, Hong Kong

Picture of the Seminar in “Legacy of Time: Métiers d’Art – A Celebration of Savoirs and Savoir-Faire” Exhibition, 2024, Hong Kong

 

With the top-ranking craftmanship in Métiers d’Art and its adoration for 18k yellow gold, Vacheron Constantin also presented this outstanding skeletonized chronograph wristwatch, circa 1995.

Vacheron Constantin Skeletonized Chronograph sold for €40,320 in Green Auctioneers. LINK

 

The bold use of jewelries, especially diamonds, set Vacheron Constantin in a key position with its courageous innovation.

Vacheron Constantin Lady Wristwatch sold for €9,450 in Green Auctioneers. LINK

 

Among all, the 1998 Lady Kalla, with case, dial, and bracelet all in white gold set with 108 emerald-cut diamonds, would be one of the most iconic works.

Picture from Secrets of Vacheron Constantin

 

Sport-chic emerged as a new tide of fashion style where women embrace and express another orientation of selves.

For this particular style, Vacheron Constantin also displayed its similar design preference in stainless steel. This overseas bracelet watch features a salmon dial, a color which is very rare in the current market, making it highly limited to be found in auctions.

Vacheron Constantin Overseas sold for €15,120 in Green Auctioneers. LINK

The repetition in material usage could not stop the brand’s evolution in design pattern, in fact, it pushed even a step further. In 1999, Vacheron Constantin presented this limited-edition Saltarello wristwatch, featured jump hour and retrograde minutes, as well as a beautiful sunburst dial. The Maison launched this design in white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold at the time.

In Green Auctioneers February auction, we are honored to have this 18k white gold Saltarello limited-edition sold at a great result of €39,060.

Vacheron Constantin Saltarello Limited Edition 200EX sold for €39,060 in Green Auctioneers. LINK

At the very beginning of the 21st century, Vacheron Constantin took another fearless leap into another modern aesthetic style with the Malte collection, featuring white gold case with bezel set with diamonds and its later symbolic moon design.

Picture from Secrets of Vacheron Constantin

 

Now, together with many female talents in various areas, Vacheron Constantin keeps on exploring its unlimited creations. Inspired by women and designed specifically for women, the Égérie collection, launched in February 2020, captures the essence of the era and redefines feminine watchmaking, just like all of the Maison’s feminine creations over the past two centuries.
Collaborating with the ambassador of the collection, the dressmaker Yiqing Yin, the Égérie collection seamlessly intertwines tradition and innovation, and epitomizes the new face of watchmaking femininity combining both elegance and confidence.
The story between Vacheron Constantin and women is one of long and understated elegance, with Égérie marking a significant chapter, bringing ladies’ watch into the new narration.

Picture from Vacheron Constantin Website

 

From a workshop till the prestigious Maison today, Vacheron Constantin roots its enduring history of crafting women’s timepieces and its relationship with women in deep respect and mutual evolution.

Whether functional, elegant, or exquisite jewelry models, the ladies’ watches crafted by Vacheron Constantin embody a persistent commitment to blending creation with craftsmanship, and have always been more than just instruments of timekeeping. As women’s fashion styles transform—from the opulence of the 18th century to the bold, modern expressions of today—Vacheron Constantin has remained a steadfast companion, adapting its designs, continuously aligning itself with ladies’ desires and aspirations, while preserving the core values of elegance, artistry, and innovation.

270 years ago, Vacheron Constantin began its perpetual quest for watchmaking excellence. Along the expedition, the Maison has given prominent positions to feminine creations for women’s self-expression, self-exploration, and self-embracement. Above and beyond the ongoing journey, Vacheron Constantin not only celebrates women but ensures that, through every era, it will remain a loyal companion to its designs as well as to women, without exception.

At Green Auctioneers, we specialize in vintage fine watches – ladies’ watches, gent watches, pocket watches, and clocks. In celebration of the 270 years anniversary of Vacheron Constantin, we are excited to walk the collection journey with all our passionate collectors in our upcoming auctions.

Join us and stay tuned!

DISCOVER MORE ON Stories:

Click Here