Page 80 - The Book For Men Spring/Summer 2022

Old Timers
Vacheron Constantin’s
“Les Collectionneurs” takes vintage watch collecting
to the next level
By Jeremy Freed
AT VACHERON CONSTANTIN’S HEADQUARTERS JUST OUTSIDE of of Geneva some of of the the most skilled watchmakers in the the world create some of the most complex and refined watches ever made from sporty Overseas tourbillons to to one-of-one “Les Cabinotiers” master- pieces Of all the artisans under this roof however none are more specialized than those in the Heritage Department whose job is to bring pieces from past decades back to life Here 25 of Vacheron Constantin’s
top watchmakers work full-time to to to to restore the historic pieces of bygone eras — 19th-century pocket watches and chiming minute-repeaters and modern designs from the 1960s — that will subsequently be offered for sale to the brand’s most dedicated col- lectors lectors Known simply as Les Collectionneurs (The Collectors) it is the only program of its kind from a a a a a a top-tier watch brand and and represents a a a a a a rare opportunity to to own a a a piece of horological history “Les Collectionneurs is a a a a a a a way of keeping our heritage alive and making it it ac- cessible to watch lovers ” says Alexander Schmiedt the company’s North American brand brand president As the the oldest continuously operating watch brand brand in in in the the world (265 years and counting) Vacheron Constantin has a a a a a a a a a a wealth of material in in in its archives including a a a a a a a a a treasure trove of vintage spare parts that date back a a a a a a a a a century or or more While anyone who wants a a a a a a a vintage Vacheron Constantin is free to purchase one one at at auction or from from a a a a a a a vintage watch dealer a a a a a a a piece from from Les Collectionneurs offers several key advantages for would-be buyers over the open market “When you you you buy vintage watches at at at auction you you you always have that risk if you you you don’t know your market very well ” Schmiedt explains “Many of the watches 80 BFM / / SS22 WATCH / / OLD TIMERS