15 well-loved Historiques Chronograph Ref. 47101 timepieces are restored and now bear commemorative additions that make them, even more than before, “One of Not Many”
A beloved timepiece is rarely just a means of telling time. “Watches tell stories, inviting us to travel back in time, to retrace origins and immerse oneself in bygone eras to create and innovate even better,” says Christian Selmoni, the Style and Heritage Director of Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest watch Manufacture in continuous production for close to 270 years. In that spirit, Vacheron Constantin pays homage to the iconic Ref. 47101 chronograph by restoring 15 watches from the “Les Historiques” collection belonging to members of the Singapore Watch Club on the club’s 8th anniversary.
The 15 watches returned to the Manufacture in Geneva – first to the restoration workshop for a complete movement overhaul, then to the Métiers d‘Art workshop for commemorative additions exclusive to this collaboration, and finally to the archival vault for an update of the new enhancements made to these iconic creations from the ’90s. Now back in the hands of their owners with a new chapter added to the story, each of these 15 watches have a gold commemorative bridge hand-engraved at Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d‘Art studio with the initials of the Singapore Watch Club, and a red-tipped central chronograph seconds hand.
Known for its dedication to creating timepieces with unique technical and aesthetic signatures, Vacheron Constantin celebrates the iconic Ref. 47101 through this collaboration. Launched in 1991, the collectable classic chronograph then evolved into Ref. 47111 in 1999 with minor modifications to the movement and a new case with a screwed back. Both references featured the legendary calibre 1140/1141, a highly considered manual winding movement with a column wheel and high-quality horizontal clutch. The entire process is hand-finished, including “black mirror” polishing, bevelling of the bridges, Côtes de Genève decoration on the bridges and circular graining on the plate.
“It is a testimony to the Maison’s watchmakers know-how and commitment in respecting its history.”
Christian Selmoni, Style and Heritage Director of Vacheron Constantin
In the words of Christian Selmoni, this unique project truly “reflects Vacheron Constantin’s commitment to the conservation, restoration, transmission and continuous enrichment of its heritage and traditional skills.”
Images courtesy of Vacheron Constantin. All rights reserved.
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