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!!Brand Overview
----
Vacheron Constantin is a Swiss watchmaking company that represents
the well-known Swiss trio together with [Audemars Piguet] and [Patek
Philippe]. It is considered to be the oldest watchmaker that hasn't
interrupted its activity till nowadays. Although there is no direct
evidence that *Vacheron Constantin* operates on the watchmaking
market for about 250 years, its representatives state that the
company's foundation year is 1755.

Unlike [Rolex], which produces about one million timepieces per year,
Vacheron Constantin designs about 20,000 pieces. Nevertheless it is
among the most popular and highly appreciated brands not only in
Switzerland but in the world as well. "Vacheron Constantin" is among
the few to create its own movements. The latter can be seen in
[watches | Watches] from [Cartier] as well as in other timepieces of
the well-known brands.
<br><br>

!!Brand's History
----
[Upload:lavrov/a70a7b0a859df6956cac71df2e27a177_tn.jpg align=right
hspace=5 vspace=5 pop=yes]In 1755 Jean-Marc Vacheron opened in Geneva
his first workshop. At this time he was only 24 years old. Later in
1770 the company designed its first complicated timepiece. Fifteen
years later Abraham, who was the son of Jean-Marc, took over the
company to continue the family tradition of watchmaking.

The first issue that had a significant impact on the company was the
French Revolution. Under the management of Abraham Vacheron the Swiss
watchmaking company was able to survive and come back safely on the
watch market.

The founder's grandson, Jacque-Barthelemy, took over the company in
1810. He was the first from the Vacheron family to initiate exports
to France and Italy. Soon Jacque-Barthelemy realized that handling
the company's business in both directions: manufacturing and
exporting was an impossible task for one person. This is why in
search for a partner he found Francois Constantin. The company was
then named "Vacheron & Constantin".

Constantin helped in marketing the company's watches and later was
able to open new markets, the main one being the North America. In
1839 a genius inventor by the name Georges-Auguste Leschot joined
"Vacheron & Constantin". He was the one to monitor all manufacturing
operations. His inventions served the company a great deal. Leschot
was the one to rename "movements" into "calibers".

Later, in 1844, he was awarded with a gold medal by the Arts Society
of Geneva. This was due to his "pantographic device" which could
mechanically generate some of the watch's component parts. This
invention turned out to be very useful since it reduced the time for
creating timepieces and thus the money invested in production.

When in 1854 Constantin and only nine years Vacheron passed away, the
company they created found itself moving through hard times, having
several heirs. However "Vacheron & Constantin" was able to remain
unbroken and in 1877 its official name became "Vacheron & Constantin,
Fabricnts, Geneve". This is the time when its symbol became the
_*Maltese cross*_.

Guided successfully into the 20th century the company opened its
first boutique in Geneva. Over 100 years this boutique stands on Quai
de I'Ille and can be seen today. After the Great Depression, "Vacheron
& Constantin" was taken over by Charles Constantin. It was 1939 when
the head of the company, for the first time in 85 years, became a
representative from the Constantin family.

A serious impact on the company was made by the World War II. Able to
withstand it "Vacheron & Constantin" came back on the market and its
new head became Georges Ketter. Afterwards the company started its
fast rise towards the watchmaking Olympus. In 1970's the company was
renamed into "Vacheron Constantin", dropping the "&" sign.

Several amazing watches were made in 1979 and in 2005. Kallista is
considered to be the most expensive watch in the world. Designed in
1979 its initial price was 5 million US dollars and today it is
valued at 11 million. To celebrate the 250 years of the company's
activity "Vacheron Constantin" produced in 2005 Tour de l'Ille, which
is considered to be the most complicated wristwatch which has 834
parts able to display 16 different complications.
<br><br>

!!Recent Collections
----
Today "Vacheron Constantin" collections are classified in: Grande
Complications Watches, Complication Watches, Classical, Sporty,
Feminine and Jewelry Watches. Among its Sporty Watches line there's
the famous Overseas collection, the Feminine line includes two
collections: 1972 and Egerie, which are also included in the category
of Jewelry watches. The famous Malte watches are included in the
category of Classical Watches. Patrimony watches are both classical
and complicated. You may also find remarkable skeleton timepieces in
the Grande Complication category.

[Upload:lavrov/6607711a1f92d5d10017452b9a2d3d88_tn.jpg  hspace=5
vspace=5
pop=yes][Upload:lavrov/ad102537297bc66d1d07f8edfd57902c_tn.jpg 
hspace=5 vspace=5 pop=yes]
<br><br>

!!See also
----
* [TAG Heuer]
* [Omega]<br>

!!External Links
----
[Official Site | http://www.vacheron-constantin.com/]

[Vacheron Constantin - The Record Breaker|
http://www.cool-watches.com/cartier-remarkable-p.html]

[Most Expensive Wristwatches |
http://www.watchreport.net/index.php?page=articles&catid=8&id=15]<br>

!!Category
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CategoryBrandProfile