Vacheron Constantin New Haute Joaillerie Watch Collection
Vacheron Constantin presents an extraordinary trilogy dedicated to horological virtuosity and the tradition of jewellery making.
First, the brand pays tribute to 30 years of the Kallista with the Kallania, a world first in terms of execution and the number of carats. Then, a first in horology, it uses the flame diamond-cut to stunning effect in two captivating horological gems. Finally, with the Malte Tourbillon Regulator, high-tech horology marries with the most sophisticated and delicate of all settings: the invisible setting.
1979: Kallista, “the most beautiful”, a world record with 130 carats
In 1979, the Manufacture’s expertise produced another legend, the sculptural Kallista, a watch carved from a gold ingot and the fruit of more than 6,000 hours of work. Kallista means “the most beautiful” in Greek and, according to Greek mythology, diamonds were the tears of the gods. 118 stones weighing a record 130 carats cover the slender profile of the Kallista, whose Vacheron Constantin hand-winding movement is the thinnest in the world in its category.
The owner of this divine timepiece was quite right to demand absolute exclusiveness: in the true spirit of the 18th century cabinotiers, only one Kallista was ever made. This unique masterpiece inspired the great Kalla line, which includes the famous Lady Kalla that won the title of “Montre Joaillerie du Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève” in 2001.
The Flame cut: A first for watchmaking, a new diamond shape lights up the world of time : Marrying different art forms, combining talents, and innovating while respecting one’s heritage: Vacheron Constantin meets these demands by honouring time with what is beautiful, precious, precise and delightful, and by remaining ever attentive to its own creative intuitions. Today, a new diamond shape has been introduced to the world of watches, the flame cut. As its name suggests, its sparkling surface skilfully catches the light to reflect it more dramatically through its multiple facets.
The flame cut is not only an aesthetic innovation but, with the complicated process needed to make it, a technical one as well. And it is the first cut in twenty years to be officially recognised by the GIA (Gemmological Institute of America). The flame cut diamond is distinguished by its perfectly proportioned and resolutely feminine contours. With its symbolic shape, the stone seems to blaze and to dance with a light that is reflected and refracted endlessly through its 57 facets.
The intersections of these facets have been designed with mathematical precision to obtain a perfect combination of lustre, radiance and diffusion of light. The unique sparkle is enhanced by the stones’ slender, asymmetrical contours that pave the way for unique creations that are more about sensation than exactitude. What also makes the flame cut original is that it is the only one with both a right and a left cut, for which a specific setting has to be developed.
Vacheron Constantin has focussed on the sparkling quality of the flame cut diamond this year and presents two spectacular and novel interpretations of Haute Horlogerie jewellery that are as delicate as they are passionate. And to put the finishing touch to the art of jewellery and jewellery-setting, the Manufacture has housed a prestige mechanical movement at its heart.
Vacheron Constantin Kallania – A new world record: 186 emerald-cut diamonds for a total of approximately 170 carats
The embodiment of a living art, the Kallania is a worthy heir of the renowned Kallista, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. A dazzling expression of the passion that inspires the Manufacture’s master craftsmen, it establishes a new world record in terms of execution and the number of carats.
No fewer than 186 emerald-cut diamonds weighing approximately 170 carats illuminate this miracle of patience and perfection. Before it was individually certified by the independent laboratory of the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF), each diamond went through a long and thorough selection process from among a large number of stones extracted from several million tonnes of diamantiferous ore. The exceptional level of purity, colour, cut, finishing and homogeneity is a rare achievement indeed.
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| Kallania New Haute Joaillerie model |
More than any other factor, it is the proportions and precise positioning of the thousands of facets that make precious stones so beautiful. Perfectly aligned, the facets have been meticulously polished by experts to achieve a maximum clarity of reflected light.
Thanks to their light and delicate finishing, the diamonds reveal all their splendour once they have been inserted using the bead-setting technique; each bead is shaped like an inverted pyramid to lighten the appearance of the piece and highlight its lustre and radiance.
The mounting, which is carved from white gold, gives shape to the cascade of diamonds which cover it. The perfectly integrated case and bracelet give this distinctive cuff-watch a contemporary air.
By combining traditional savoir-faire with contemporary design, Vacheron Constantin has once again affirmed its values in the 21st century. To show its true worth, this collectors’ piece houses the thinnest mechanical movement in the world, the 1003 calibre. Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin, it is stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva.
Technical details
Reference: Kallania – 33870/S02G-9452
Movement
Calibre 1003, developed and produces Vacheron Constantin
Stamped with the hallmark of Geneva
Energy: Mechanical, manual-winding
Height of movement: 1.64 mm
Diameter of movement: 20.80 mm;
Jewels: 18 rubies
Frequency: 18’000 vibrations/hour
Indications: Hours and minutes
Power-reserve: Approx. 30 hours
Case
18K white gold set with 18 emerald-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 35 ct.
Water-resistance:3 bar, equivalent to 30 metres
Dial
18K white gold set with 32 emerald-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 9.5 ct.
Bracelet
18K white gold set with 136 emerald-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 125 ct.
Clasp: Paved scale clasp in 18K white gold
Diamonds
Total of the weight of approx 169.5 ct
Vacheron Constantin Lady Kalla Flame and Kalla Haute Couture à Secret
A world first in horology for these two models with their flame cut diamond Like Haute Horlogerie, Haute Joaillerie stems from the imagination of a master, from his vision of perfection, which is given life by his art and hands. This inspiration, which brings together passion and craftsmanship, is an integral part of Vacheron Constantin’s intrinsic values.
From this springs the creative spark, a spark which has set 2009 ablaze with the Manufacture’s decision to inaugurate a totally new cut and dedicate two exclusive timepieces to it: the Lady Kalla Flame and the Kalla Haute Couture à Secret. Created by craftsmen for whom timekeeping is not a priority, these jewellery watches are dressed in flame cut diamonds that give time a new personality.
Each set of precious stones is selected with meticulous care to ensure that it complies with the strictest criteria regarding purity, colour and cut to guarantee perfect uniformity. Entirely hand-made and exceptionally supple, a technique known as emmaillement reduces the material to a minimum so that the flame cut diamonds cover the whole piece, including the clasp.
The two timepieces are equipped with the celebrated manual-winding 1005 calibre with the crown positioned on the back of the movement.
Vacheron Constantin Lady Kalla Flame
The Lady Kalla Flame evokes the iconic Lady Kalla launched in 1982. This fabulous timepiece is brought to life by the brilliance of its 200 diamonds. The case dressed in white gold and embracing a diamond-set dial, echoes the flame shape of the gems. The bracelet is a natural extension of the case with its dancing cortège of precious stones that seem to twirl and pirouette at will. The natural, almost sensual, design takes your mind off the time, indicated here by delicately shaped hour and minute hands.
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| The Lady Kalla Flame |
Technical details
Reference: Lady Kalla Flame – 17620/S11G-9478
Movement
Calibre 1005
Energy: Mechanical, manual-winding
Height of movement: 3.60 mm
Diameter of movement: 6.20 x 17.40 mm
Jewels: 17 rubies
Frequency: 19’800 vibrations/hour
Indications: Hours, minutes
Power-reserve: Approx. 30 hours
Case
18K white gold set with 20 flame-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 10 ct.
Dial
18K white gold set with 60 flame-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 2 ct.
Bracelet
18K white gold set with 120 flame-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 24.50 ct.
Clasp: Paved scale clasp in 18K white gold
Diamonds
Total of the weight of approx. 36.5 ct
Vacheron Constantin Kalla Haute Couture à Secret
With the Kalla Haute Couture à Secret, time has found its niche. Under the scintillating curtains of 28 flame cut diamonds (totalling 20 carats), a diamond-paved dial lies concealed.
Unpretentious in design, and secretive, the timepiece’s slender silhouette extends in two fine lines of 120 diamonds and, like a precious ribbon, encircles the wrist in dazzling undulation. Like a very elegant piece of Haute Couture, this jewellery piece is destined to master the vagaries of time.
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| Kalla Haute Couture a secret |
Technical details
Reference: Kalla Haute Couture à Secret – 17625/S12G-9479
Movement
Calibre 1005
Energy: Mechanical, manual-winding
Height of movement: 3.60 mm
Diameter of movement: 6.20 x 17.40 mm
Jewels: 17 rubies
Frequency: 19’800 vibrations/hour
Indications: Hours and minutes
Power reserve: Approx. 30 hours
Case
18K white gold set with 28 flame-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 20 ct. and 54 brilliant-cut, total weight of approx. 0.20 ct.
Dial
18K white gold paved with 130 flame-cut diamonds, total weight of approx.0.30 ct.
Bracelet
18K white gold set with 120 flame-cut diamonds, total weight of approx.14 ct.
Clasp: Paved scale clasp in 18K white gold
Diamonds
Total of the weight of approx. 34.5 ct.
Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Regulator with Invisible Setting
Over 2,000 hours of exceptional goldsmithing. A perfect marriage of Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie, where interior beauty complements exterior beauty. Symbolising the cultural bridge between the arts, engineering and creative genius, Vacheron Constantin’s Haute Joaillerie Malte Tourbillon Regulator brings together the magic of watchmaking and the mystery of gem-setting.
This exceptional piece is a vibrant dedication to the Métiers d’Art, which here border on the sublime. With the invisible settings all entirely hand-crafted, it is dressed in 565 baguette diamonds (totalling approximately 19 carats), creating a supreme illumination of time.
Only a few artists today have mastered the technique for producing invisible diamond settings. The gold is completely hidden behind the precious stones: supported by a track, they form a field of light without any trace of fastening and, as a result, emit maximum luminosity. Vacheron Constantin chose to apply this technique to a shaped watch which, despite its curved profile, has edges, sharp angles and taut lines, all of which made the work much more challenging.
And to accomplish this, a whole range of craftsmen, from designer to gem-setter, from watchmaker to jeweller, worked in perfect harmony, orchestrating their respective skills and motivated by the same determination to surpass themselves. The various criteria for comfort, movement and water resistance were scrupulously observed.
Under the designer’s pencil, the Malte Tourbillon Regulator was transformed into a mosaic of diamonds, but with no loss of legibility. The cutter worked on the stones one by one, to the nearest micron, so that the jewel-setter was able to fit them perfectly into the place prepared for them. The precision required for such an exacting task meant that over 2,000 hours of goldsmithing work went into creating this wondrous composition of diamonds.
With the gold completely hidden by the gems, the watch becomes a sculpture in diamonds: lugs, bezel, case middle, dial, buckle, every single element shimmers with light, from the crown to the emblematic Maltese cross.
The paved dial remains faithful to the original design dictated by the regulator display: the hours, minutes and seconds on the tourbillon cage are separated and read vertically. In this perfectly orchestrated ballet, the precious stones encircle the chapter ring, follow the minute circle and frame the tourbillon cage, all the while subtly setting off each time element on the dial.
The 1795R calibre, a perfect example of the Manufacture’s expertise: While mystery surrounds its invisible settings, the Haute Joaillerie Tourbillon Regulator has no intention of hiding the complexity of its shaped 1795R movement, which can be admired through its transparent sapphire crystal back.
Meticulously decorated and finished, this manual-winding mechanical movement, designed, developed and produced by the Vacheron Constantin Manufacture, brings together two subtle complications that are particularly appreciated by watch enthusiasts.
The tourbillon, which compensates for the negative effects of gravity, is a comprehensive and dynamic example of the expertise of the Manufacture’s master watchmakers and remains one of the most emblematic complications in the art of watchmaking.
The regulator display, introduced at the end of the 19th century to regulate rail traffic, is a reminder to connoisseurs that, at that time, the best timers constantly kept an eye on the regulator clock, given pride of place in every workshop. The hours, minutes and seconds were displayed separately so that each indication of time could be read instantly, making it much easier to carry out any necessary adjustment to the piece being worked on.
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| Malte Tourbillon Regulator Haute Joaillerie model |
Exceptional level of finishing: no fewer than eleven hours needed to hand-finish the tourbillon bar. A distinctive feature of the 1795R movement, designed and manufactured from A to Z by Vacheron Constantin, is its exceptional finishing, which, like the finishing on the bar, cannot be done mechanically. This technically challenging work, known as berçage or rounding off, consists of filing the tips of the arms with perfect regularity to give them a conical and semi-cylindrical shape, while carefully marking off the centre and heels.
To obtain a perfect polished rounding-off, the craftsmen polish the piece with stones, buffs, wooden pegs and finishing pastes. No fewer than eleven hours of work are needed to meet the stringent finishing criteria demanded by Vacheron Constantin.
The exceptional character of the 1795R calibre is underscored by its côtes de Genève decoration, meticulous hand-chamfering of the bar edges, and engraved individual serial number.
As well as a tourbillon, the manual-winding movement features a 40-hour power reserve indicator. A highly outstanding ambassador of the arts, this timepiece evokes a shimmering concept of time, one that is continuously challenged and developed by the Manufacture’s craftsmen. It is a way of remembering that time is both sovereign and infinitely precious.
Technical details
Model: Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Regulator with Invisible Setting
Reference: 30682/000G-9477
Movement
Calibre 1795 R; Tonneau shaped tourbillon regulator movement, designed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Energy: Mechanical, manual-winding
Height of movement: 6.10 mm
Diameter of movement: 26.90 mm x 28.30 mm
Jewels: 27 rubies
Frequency: 18’000 vibrations/hour
Indications: Hours and minutes on regulator display; Small second on tourbillon cage
Power-reserve: Approx. 40 hours
Case
18K white gold, 39,60mm x 50 mm
Fully paved with 270 baguette-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 12.25 ct
Crown set with 4 baguette-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 0.1 ct
Water-resistance: 3 bar, equivalent to 30 metres
Dial
18K white gold set with 261 baguette-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 5.63 ct.
Strap
Black hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square-scaled alligator leather
Clasp: 18K white gold folding-clasp, half Maltese cross set with 30 baguette-cut diamonds, total weight of approx. 0.9 ct.
Diamonds
Total of the weight of approx 18.98 ct.
