Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin continues the legacy of its Roaring Twenties icon with two new Historiques American 1921 models featuring a new dial aesthetic, offered in 36.5 mm and 40 mm cases of 18K 5N pink gold. While reflecting the winds of freedom blowing across the world in the era in which it was born, the American 1921 continues to represent a 'classic with a twist' style, illustrating Vacheron Constantin's penchant for avant-garde design.

A Roaring Twenties Icon

The visually arresting American 1921 was born in a period that brought profound change in every area of life: social, cultural, economic and political. This was reflected in a new spirit and style in the Arts, fashion and design – and, with wristwatches beginning to take precedence over pocket watches, boundless new creative possibilities were opened to the world of horology.

In 1919, embracing this bold and experimental spirit, Vacheron Constantin made a few examples of a highly distinctive wristwatch. The case was cushion-shaped, the dial offset by 45 degrees from the perpendicular, a legible dial with radium-coated hands and Arabic numerals featured subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock, and the crown was positioned on the right-hand side of the case. Two years later, the Maison produced another small series, with some design variations, for the American market. This became known as the American 1921, the model reimagined for the modern Historiques collection. In this version, the crown was positioned on the left side and the dial – moving beyond the original utilitarian style – boasted elegance and balance, with Arabic painted numerals on a white enamel surface, paired with matching black hands. On the modern dial, the seconds are notably oriented perpendicularly at 3 o'clock. This contrasts with the 45-degree reading of the hours and minutes, as the seconds themselves are not rotated and their reading direction differs. This design choice accentuates the unconventional aesthetic and facilitates quick reading of the seconds.

The initial versions produced were notably appreciated by driving enthusiasts who could thus read the time at a glance without having to take their hands from the steering wheel. The ideal 'gentleman driver's watch' was also adopted by elegant and avant-garde circles. A look through the archives reveals that two such watches belonged to the American writer and clergyman Samuel Parkes-Cadman, renowned for his fight for racial equality and one of the first to use radio to broadcast his sermons to several million listeners. He is thought to have opted for this watch because it allowed him to read the time easily and discreetly while preaching. One of the two timepieces that he owned is now part of Vacheron Constantin's heritage collection.

The American 1921 has been revisited several times for the Historiques collection, through different materials and diameters. The modern 40 mm version was introduced in 2008 and added to the permanent collection. The 36.5 mm edition was unveiled in 2017 and in 2021, the centennial of the American 1921 brought new variations in both sizes, as well as a model faithfully recreated as if in 1921.

New variations

The two new models are characterised by a grained silver-tone dial with bright blue Arabic numerals and blue 18K gold hands for refined contrast. Different finishes, including a circular satin finish around the dial periphery and snailing in the small seconds counter, create an aesthetic tension. Completing this new look is a dark blue patinated calfskin leather strap with a gradient effect that offers a further layer of sophistication.

While the American 1921 pays homage to its century-old predecessor, today's version is manufactured in accordance with modern production methods: it is water-resistant to 30 metres and fitted with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Additionally, its sapphire crystal case back allows the owner to enjoy a full view of the in-house movement. Manual-winding Calibre 4400 AS sets the pace for the American 1921, driving the hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds. The movement is rotated in the case to align the functions with the asymmetrical design of the watch. At just 2.8 mm in height, it enables the watch case to come in at a svelte 7.41 mm in height for the 36.5 mm case or 8.06 mm for the 40 mm case. Equipped with a 65-hour power reserve, the 4Hz, 127-component manual winding movement is finely finished with Côtes de Genève decoration across its two large bridges and the balance cock supporting the free-sprung balance.

The coveted Hallmark of Geneva attests to the quality and provenance of the Historiques American 1921 watches, guaranteeing not only that they are produced entirely in the Canton of Geneva but also that they meet strict criteria for craftsmanship, including specific finishes for all key components, and for reliability and precision. These standards are set in law by the Government of Geneva and, to ensure that they are met, the Poinçon de Genève Office oversees the application of the criteria through every stage of a watch's production.