The Patrimony Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Chronograph

The exterior of this timepiece is as exceptional as the movement it houses. In keeping with the Patrimony Traditionnelle line, the 18K pink gold case is elegant, simple and classic. The generously-sized 43 mm case guarantees excellent legibility of all the indications on the dial.

As well as snailed counters and a painted black minute-track, the silvered opaline dial presents a multi-toned finish in the spirit of Vacheron Constantin’s historic chronographs. The watch enthusiast will immediately pick out affiliations with the chronographs of the 1940’s.

The mechanical manual-winding 1141 QP movement makes 18,000 vibrations per hour and has a 48-hour power reserve. Besides the hours, minutes and small seconds at 9 o’clock, it features chronograph functions with a centre direct-drive seconds hand and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. The perpetual calendar indicates the days of the week, months and leap years in windows, as well as the astronomical phases of the moon and a date hand at 6 o’clock.

The moon, sometimes happy, sometimes melancholy, is hand-engraved from a gold plate. Like all Vacheron Constantin movements, the 1141 QP calibre is distinguished by the meticulous chamfering work of the Côtes de Genève bridges and the circular-graining of the plate, both done by hand.

Water-resistant to a pressure of 3 Bar, the equivalent of 30 metres, the 18K pink gold case features a sapphire crystal back through which one can admire the remarkable complexity and exceptional architecture of the 1141 QP movement.






Skeleton Patrimony Traditionnelle

Only the combination of several traditional Haute Horlogerie crafts could give life to such works of art. Using transparency and light to transform a watch movement into an aerial ballet of pierced bridges and gear-trains is an art that Vacheron Constantin mastered long ago, an art requiring complementary skills: that of the master watchmaker to master the mechanical demands, and that of the master engraver to reveal the quintessence of the movement.


The aesthetic features of the Patrimony Traditionnelle line are safeguarded thanks to the engraver’s meticulous piercing and decorating work on the precious extra-flat mechanical movement. Adding light to transparency, the sapphire dial – with painted minute-track and 18K white gold hourmarkers and dauphine hands – reveals the fascinating mechanical motion of the movement and its imperturbable heartbeat.

The 38-mm 18K white gold cases house the automatic 1120 SQ calibre, which is stamped with the highly esteemed Hallmark of Geneva.

This remarkable calibre was made in 1967 and is only 2.45 mm thick, an exceptional feat for an automatic movement. The jewellery version scintillates with 82 round diamonds on its bezel.

The 30-mm versions, on the other hand, house the manual-winding 1003 SQ calibre, which is also stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. Only 1.64 mm thick, it was introduced in 1955. The jewellery version features 64 round diamonds on its bezel.

Four years after inaugurating its first Explorer series,Vacheron Constantin presents two new models, this time paying tribute to Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus.

In 2004, when Vacheron Constantin inaugurated the limited series of watches created in honour of the great explorers, the Geneva-based brand was displaying a fierce determination to ensure the continuity of one of its most fundamental values: the workmanship traditions involved in fine watchmaking “metiers d’art” – or artistic crafts.

Clearly dedicated to excellence, Vacheron Constantin once again unveils two genuine works of art from both mechanical and aesthetic standpoints, thanks to a patented movement driving an astonishing reading of time and a dial sublimated by the extremely complex and time-honoured art of “grand feu” enamelling.

Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus

After the two first models in the collection dedicated to the Chinese admiral Zheng Hé, the intrepid Ming dynasty explorer and his Indian Ocean discoveries; and to Magellan with his discovery of the strait bearing his name, Vacheron Constantin pays a glowing tribute to two of the most famous world travellers: Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus.

These two exceptional timepieces, entirely hand-crafted with patience and passion, meticulous care and a desire for perfection, are in harmony with the spirit of the Geneva “Cabinotiers” cherished by the brand founders. The demanding nature of the work entailed justifies the limited edition of 60 for each model.

Transposing the voyage of the world’s greatest explorers onto a watch dial was the astounding technical and aesthetic challenge taken up by the Geneva-based watch manufacturer Vacheron Constantin. The “grand feu” polychrome enamelled dial consists of two parts, with one partially overlapping the other. The upper part depicts a portion of the globe by reproducing an historical map relating to the feats of the great explorer. The twelve hour numerals move across a 132° minute scale on the lower part of the dial of this mysterious watch embodying the finest horological traditions and featuring a truly stunning complication.

Limited Series of 60 Pieces for each Explorer

The case is done in 18kt yellow gold and measures 40mm X 12.2mm. The dial is 22kt gold, two-part base - Polychrome “Grand feu” enamelled decoration. Entirely handcrafted in the traditional manner. The crystal is sapphire.

Movement is the automatic Vacheron in-house caliber 1126AT, with 36 jewels, beating at 28,800 bph and with a power reserve of 40 hours. The watch is water resistant to 30 meters.