Get ready for an exciting global watch competition that's about to take the world by storm! Vacheron Constantin, the renowned Swiss watchmaker, is about to launch an event that will showcase the very best in timepiece craftsmanship and history.
Borrowing inspiration from the automotive world, Vacheron Constantin is partnering with Phillips and Bacs & Russo to bring you the Vacheron Constantin Concours d'Élégance Horlogère. This competition will shine a spotlight on both vintage and contemporary masterpieces of haute horlogerie, with seven prestigious awards up for grabs across a range of categories.
But here's where it gets controversial... To enter, collectors must submit a Vacheron Constantin pocket or wristwatch launched between 1755 and 1999. That's right, no quartz watches, clocks, or heavily modified pieces are allowed. This decision has sparked debate among watch enthusiasts, with some questioning the exclusion of more modern timepieces.
The categories for the competition are as follows: chiming mechanisms, chronographs, astronomical complications, multiple complications, Chronomètre Royal, métiers d'art (excluding skeleton pieces), and design. Each category celebrates a different aspect of watchmaking, from the intricate chiming mechanisms to the artistic design choices that define Vacheron Constantin's signature style.
And this is the part most people miss... The timepieces will be evaluated based on nine criteria, including authenticity, elegance, rarity, impact on Vacheron Constantin's history and the industry as a whole, provenance, technicality, métiers d'art, state of preservation, and emotional dimension. It's a comprehensive assessment that ensures only the most exceptional watches make it to the final round.
The jury for this competition is an impressive lineup of experts, designers, and historians from around the globe. Watch historian Nicholas Foulkes, Urwerk cofounder Felix Baumgartner, and vintage watch expert Auro Montanari are just a few of the notable names involved. Aurel Bacs, watch specialist and cofounder of Bacs & Russo, will oversee the jury alongside Christian Selmoni, Vacheron Constantin's heritage and style director.
Aurel Bacs shared his excitement in a press statement, saying, "As a lifelong enthusiast of Concours d'Élégance, it has been my dream to bring this concept to the world of fine watchmaking. I am thrilled that Vacheron Constantin has embraced this idea and I look forward to the inspiring discoveries and insightful conversations that will arise from this competition."
So, if you're a proud owner of a Vacheron Constantin timepiece that meets the competition criteria, mark your calendars! You can register for the competition starting January 19th, with submissions open until April 30th. Whether you submit online or in-store, the winners will be crowned on November 10th, following Phillips and Bacs & Russo's fall auctions. Get ready for a celebration of craftsmanship and a chance to showcase your prized possessions!
Will this competition revolutionize the way we perceive and value vintage watches? Or will it spark further debate about the exclusion of modern timepieces? We want to hear your thoughts! Share your agreement or disagreement in the comments and let's spark a conversation about the future of watch collecting.
