Swiss luxury watch maker Vacheron Constantin is extending its ladies’ watch range with a new jewellery collection: the Heures Créatives. Incorporating a unique design and an exciting creative approach, these extraordinary 18-carat white gold watches exclusively set with diamonds are a perfect illustration of the imaginative powers that Vacheron Constantin has been demonstrating for the past 260 years.
The three Heures Créatives models, starting from the Heure Romantique, the Heure Discrète and the Heure Audacieuse take us to three emblematic artistic periods: Art Nouveau, Art Deco and the 1970s. These three models are equipped with the extremely precise mechanical hand-wound Calibre 1055, a 115-part, 21-jewel movement with its almost 40-hour power reserve beats at a cadence of 21,600 vibrations per hour.
As always, the decoration and finishing vividly reflect the Manufacture’s expertise. Featuring a dainty diameter measuring barely 15.7 mm (6 ¾’’’), this movement fits smoothly and seamlessly into the three form cases to ensure an aesthetically appealing design.
The elegant and contemporary Heures Créatives collection illustrates the full extent of the expertise of master watchmakers and jewellers. Combining ingeniousness, technique and daring design, it is destined to be annually enriched and continually inspired by the rich past of the Maison.
Established in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has been producing exceptional timepieces for women since 1810, when its first ladies’ watch was produced: a quarter-repeating pocket watch, directly ordered by a woman. In an age when it was deemed that ladies had no need whatsoever to know the time and even less to enquire about it in company, the Maison became involved in the design of true watchmaking gems.
Smaller than those intended for men as well as more fanciful, ladies’ models required considerable efforts in the realm of miniaturisation together with a talent for decoration – both of which were perfectly mastered by Vacheron Constantin.
Symbols of standing and status, these watches gradually became essential accessories: worn on a necklace, hanging on a chatelaine, pinned to a dress or hidden in a brooch, they required all the imagination of the craftsmen of the Maison, master watchmakers as well as engravers, enamellers, guillocheurs, jewellers and gemsetters.
In 1889, the Maison created the first movement exclusively dedicated to the ladies’ wristwatch. True to its reputation for workmanship, it was equipped with a revolutionary system enabling winding and time-setting by simply turning the bezel, thus avoiding the need for a winding crown.
This watch won an award at the Universal Exhibition in Paris. It was also at this time that feats of miniaturisation set new standards: the “baguette” shaped wristwatch expanded the design possibilities of jewellery-style watchmaking while continuing to meet precision requirements. Various styles and trends inspired quite a number of models that to this day bear witness to the artistic profusion of the 20th century.
From pendant watches to cuff watches, triple wrap-around wrists-bands, woven links, as well as satin or leather ribbons, Vacheron Constantin’s feminine creations successfully staked their claim to freedom and daring over the years. Their predominance can be seen through countless advertising campaigns turning the spotlight on women and launched between 1940 and 1980.
Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Romantique Watch
At the dawn of the 20th century, the Art Nouveau was born. This movement sent a fresh breeze blowing through artistic circles which began advocating a return to Nature, with undulating shapes, organic swirls and effusive arabesques. This was art in all its voluptuousness, marked by a profusion of decoration. The elegant and inventive women of this era took refuge in pastel-hued, vaporous, voluptuous romanticism. The Heure Romantique model is inspired by this delicate trend.
Crafted in 18-carat white gold and adorned with 104 round-cut diamonds (approximately 2.5 cts), its bezel undulates around a mother-of-pearl dial. Four gemset lugs deliciously accentuate the smooth contours of a slightly curved case punctuated by a winding crown enhanced with a diamond.
In the second variation, the dial is paved with 18K white gold (252 round-cut diamonds) and time is indicated by 18K gold applied hour-markers.
Inspired by a model highly emblematic of the Belle Epoque and dating from 1916, this reinterpretation is devoid of all superfluity and retains only its quintessential elegant roundness. This exceptional timepiece is worn on a black satin strap, secured by a white gold gemset folding clasp.
Technical details
Model: Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Romantique
References: 37640/000G-B021 & 37640/000G-B030
Only available in Vacheron Constantin Boutiques
Movement
Calibre 1055
Mechanical, manual-winding
15.7 mm (6’’’¾) diameter, 2.1 mm thick
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
3Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
115 components
21 jewels
Indications
Hours, minutes
Case
Paved 18K white gold (104 round-cut diamonds) with millegrain finishing
Diamond-set crown (1 round-cut diamond)
26.5 x 34 mm, 8.4 mm thick
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial
37640/000G-B021: Paved 18K white gold (252 round-cut diamonds), 18K gold applied hour-markers
37640/000G-B030: White mother-of-pearl
Strap
Black satin, stitched-tip
Clasp: 18K white gold folding clasp; Diamond-set half Maltese cross-shaped (18 round-cut diamonds)
Total diamond-setting
37640/000G-B021: 375 round-cut diamonds, for a total weight of approx. 3.5 carats
37640/000G-B030: 123 round-cut diamonds, for a total weight of approx. 2.6 carats
Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Romantique Watch Fully Paved
The Manufacture also offers a second version that is fully paved with round-cut diamonds including the dial, case and bracelet. The latter is articulated around 30 crescent moon-shaped links set with 264 precious stones (approximately 6.3 cts), extending the smooth curves of the case.
Bearing vibrant testimony to the mastery of the artistic crafts cultivated at Vacheron Constantin, the fully paved version is graced with 621 diamonds totalling approximately 9.7 cts. The contours of the Heure Romantique are further accentuated in the version set with baguette-cut diamonds.
The sparkle of faceted precious stones (totalling approximately 17 cts) forms a river of crystalline light poised to nestle in the hollow of a graceful wrist.
Technical details
Model: Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Romantique Fully Paved
References: 37641/F03G-B031 & 37640/F02G-B021
Only available in Vacheron Constantin Boutiques
Movement
Calibre 1055
Mechanical, manual-winding
15.7 mm (6’’’¾) diameter, 2.1 mm thick
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
3Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
115 components
21 jewels
Indications
Hours, minutes
Case
Paved 18K white gold
37641: 60 baguette-cut diamonds and 82 round-cut diamonds
37640: 104 round-cut diamonds, millegrain finishing,
Diamond-set crown (1 round-cut diamond)
26.5 x 34 mm, 8.4 mm thick
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial
Paved 18K white gold
37641: 68 baguette-cut diamonds, invisible setting
37640: 252 round-cut diamonds, 18K gold applied hour-markers
Bracelet
Paved 18K white gold
37641: 316 baguette-cut diamonds
37640: 264 round-cut diamonds
Clasp: 18K white gold jewellery clasp
Total diamond-setting
37641: 444 baguette-cut diamonds and 83 round-cut, for a total weight of approx. 17 carats
37640: 621 round-cut diamonds, for a total weight of approx. 9.7 carats
Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Discrète Watch
The era of geometric symmetry and clean lines, Art Deco was a reaction to the contortions of Art Nouveau. The Roaring Twenties saw the appearance of slender, modern women exuding a certain distinguished nonchalance. Feathers and sequins adorned low-waisted dresses at sparkling evenings throbbing to the beat of jazz and Charleston steps.
Exquisitely luminous embroidery dressed in 286 diamonds, the Heure Discrète is entirely in tune with this spirit. Its design is inspired by the fan, a highly prized accessory at the time.
Vacheron Constantin already proposed this motif in the form of a pendant introduced in 1919, and now reprises it nearly a century later by reinterpreting it as a wristwatch. In doing so, it also revives the tradition of secret watches, enabling women to check the time discreetly.
The fan is carved in white gold, fashioned like guipure lace and then carpeted with a crescendo of precious stones to emphasize the geometry.
When pivoted, it reveals a small white mother-of-pearl window with finely textured stripes and swept over by two hands. For a touch of elegant sobriety, Heure Discrète is worn on a black satin strap. The sparkling version is extended by three undulating white gold ribbons, set with nearly 11 carats of diamonds.
Technical details
Model: Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Discrète
References: 37531/F04G-B060 & 37530/000G-B060
Only available in Vacheron Constantin Boutiques
Movement
Calibre 1055
Mechanical, manual-winding
15.7 mm (6’’’¾) diameter, 2.1 mm thick
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
3Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
115 components
21 jewels
Indications
Hours, minutes
Case
Paved 18K white gold (285 round-cut diamonds)
Diamond-set crown (1 round-cut diamond)
36.6 x 48 mm, 9 mm thick
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial
White mother-of-pearl
Strap/Bracelet
37531: Paved 18K white gold (143 round-cut diamonds)
37530: Black satin strap, stitched-tip
Clasp
37531: 18K white gold jewellery clasp
37530: 18K white gold folding clasp
Diamond-set half Maltese cross-shaped (20 round-cut diamonds)
Total diamond-setting
37531: 429 round-cut diamonds, for a total weight of approx. 14.7 carats
37530: 306 round-cut diamonds, for a total weight of approx. 3.6 carats
Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Audacieuse Watch
The 1970s: Woman enjoyed every imaginable freedom. Liberated and emancipated, she tried out every unusual experience without a care in the world.
The Heure Audacieuse freed women from their last remaining shackles and marked the return of stylistic devices. This avant-garde model diverted the belt from its customary use by turning it into a precious cuff watch: an unexpected style expressed by Vacheron Constantin in 1970 and an aesthetic wager that was already won hands down at the time.
This year, the Manufacture has transcended the original version by magnifying the dimensions while curving its dynamics. The design of this crisp, clean style remains every bit as exclusive as when it was first introduced. The buckle that serves as a case glows with the effect of snow-set round-cut diamonds – a distinctive setting technique that achieves a subtle sparkling effect by juxtaposing diamonds of different sizes.
The master gemsetter has nestled the precious stones against each other to entirely cover the entire white gold surface. So as not to detract from the design, the winding crown is hidden under the black satin strap, matching the colour of the satin-finish varnished dial.
The Heure Audacieuse model is also available in a precious version with 172 invisibly set baguette-cut diamonds totalling 11.30 carats, accentuating the modernity of the design.
The Heure Audacieuse cuff watch is designed for a self-assured woman willing to proclaim her distinctive personality and her independence.
Technical details
Model: Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Audacieuse
References: 37660/000G-B028 & 37560/000G-B028
Only available in Vacheron Constantin Boutiques
Movement
Calibre 1055
Mechanical, manual-winding
15.7 mm (6’’’¾) diameter, 2.1 mm thick
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
3Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
115 components
21 jewels
Indications
Hours, minutes
Case/clasp
Paved 18K white gold
37660: 172 baguette-cut diamonds, invisible setting
37560: 377 round-cut diamonds, snow setting
23 x 40.26 mm, 7.14 mm thick
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial
Black satin-finished varnished
Strap
Black satin, stitched-tip
Total diamond-setting
37660: 172 baguette-cut diamonds, for a total weight of approx. 11.2 carats
37560: 377 round-cut diamonds, for a total weight of approx. 4.6 carats
