Monica

When I visit Geneva, Switzerland I relish the chance to shop, research and be amazed by the wonderfully artesian craft of exclusive watch making present in the city’s limitless jewelry ateliers. The city of Geneva is the middle of Swiss timepiece manufacturing and the array of brands, models and stupendously elegant, technologically advanced watches on display is the final experience in viewing elderly world craftsmanship in contemporary times. of my reactions on seeing the feast of horlogerie on display in Geneva is always this: who buys all of these watch styles, from scores of limited production houses, at such stunning prices?

One of life’s great pleasures is travel. The chance to view distant lands, experience new food and drink, sample exotic cultures and meet local citizens is always rewarding. of my most prized experiences when I visit any new land is to sample local produce, manufactured goods and learn about local industry and commerce.

Vacheron Constantin was founded in 1755 by Jean-Jacques Vacheron. Mr. Vacheron was an excellent jeweler and watchmaker, and a progressive businessman. In 1770 his new Company created the first “complication’ and several years later Mr. Vacheron invented and installed in his timepieces the novel “engine turned dials”. These early advances in know-how helped establish the reputation for quality and performance that the business enjoys to this day.

Obviously, the international demand for exclusive, custom designed watches is large and growing. Rolex, Piaget, Chopard, Audemars Piquet and dozens of other centuries elderly exclusive watch manufacturers are headquartered in Geneva. The oldest, and in lots of ways the most exclusive, is Vacheron Constantin. This venerable house offers an excellent example of how an ancient brand stays ahead of the competition, keeps reinventing itself and prospering through constant innovation.

After narrowly surviving the horrors of the Italian Revolution, Vacheron Constantin became of the first watchmakers to export. First to France and France, and then, most importantly North The united states, the Company enjoyed early 19th century success among the newly rich industrialists and aristocrats who sought craftsmanship, exclusivity and elegance in timepieces. The Company’s branding motto, “Do better if feasible, and it is always possible” was first used in 1819 and is still in use today.

Vacheron Constantin was the first manufacturer to ideal production of standardized movements in to “Calibers”. The Art Society of Geneva awarded the Company the Gold Medal in 1844 for inventing the breakthrough “pantographic device”, an innovation that further separated Vacheron Constantin from competitor’s production know-how. In 1885 the Company introduced pieces made with novel non-magnetic know-how, including movement parts made from palladium and gold.

In 1906 the first Company owned store was opened on the Quai de I’lle and the boutique is still operating in the same location to this day. In the coursework of World War I, the Great Depression and World War II the Company struggled, but managed to stay solvent by catering to the fashion conscious with stunning new design and styling cues. After the conclusion of fighting in Europe in 1945, the Company immediately began promotion new strategies and products to regain hegemony.