Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin New York Boutique Experience

 

I had the great pleasure of visiting Vacheron Constantin’s New York boutique for the first time last week. While the principal reason I was down in New York was to attend a celebratory dinner for the boutique’s grand opening prepared by legendary chef Thomas Keller (more on this in a future post), I also wanted to enjoy the boutique shopping experience and see the special watches on exhibit as part of the American Heritage of Vacheron Constantin.

The Shopping Experience

As one would expect from a boutique, there is a much greater display of watches at the Vacheron Constantin boutique than one will find at any authorized retailer (I spoke with one customer there who had recently been further downtown and he said that one VC AD had two watches on hand and another had only one). What’s more, there were watches on display that haven’t even been announced yet (I’m thinking of the lovely Patrimony Contemporaine for ladies (36 mm) that is set with diamond around the edge of case and contains the caliber 1400)!

Of course the three special watches that are unique to the New York Boutique were on hand. There was the limited American 1921 (please excuse the old photos, which were taken in Geneva in May):

The Overseas Chronograph with Perpetual Calendar:


and the unique Patriomny Traditionnelle Calibre 2755 with tourbillon, perpetual calendar, and minute repeater (now on a strap and without the protective covering!):


Also on hand, and much more affordable, was the Patrimony Contemporaine in rose gold with black dial, a model exclusive the Vacheron Consatntin boutiques worldwide:


It is stunning.

The managers and staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and have a creating a welcoming environment in which to show and sell watches. I'm sure all visitors will be comfortable and will have a memorable experience there.


The American Heritage Exhibit

There are a number of special and unique watches in Vacheron Constantin’s New York boutique through the month of October. I urge you to go out of your way to visit this exhibit. Prominently displayed is the "King Fouad" watch, with split second chronograph, perpetual calendar, moon phase, minute repeater on three gongs, and grand et petite sonnerie:


And for the first time ever, it is partnered with the even more complicated "King Farouk" pocket watch, which also has alarm, power reserve, and sonnerie power reserve indications:


Focusing on watches with an American connection, there is the much heralded Packard watch, which Vacheron Constantin won at a Christie’s auction earlier this year:


A rare “1921:”


A US Corps of Engineers pocket watch from WWI:


And an aluminium cased watch with bridges also made from alumnium.


A world time pocket watch:


A beautiful pocket watch with red enamel covering a highly decorated case, made for “Diamond” Jim Brady in 1910:


This list is by no means comprehensive, so please visit the boutique to see these treasure from Vacheron Constantin’s heritage.

Bill