The ultra-thin heritage of Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin has chosen today to revive some of the finest moments in the quest for ultra-thinness. The Geneva-based manufacturer has indeed been closely involved in the epic milestones of this distinctive form of expertise, such as in the 1950s and 1960s when Vacheron Constantin introduced the world’s thinnest wristwatches.

The world’s thinnest mechanical movements are developed in Vacheron Constantin’s historical L’Ile premises. Within this impressive legacy, one particular hand-wound movement continues to attract the attention of specialists and collectors. Work on its development began in 1952 in L’Ile (the building on the Rhone River ‘island’ that has housed Vacheron Constantin’s historical premises since 1875) and it was presented for the brand bicentenary celebrations in 1955 under the name Calibre 1003 considered as the most beautiful at this time.

Its 9-lignes or 21.05 mm diameter and 1.64 mm thickness have made it the world’s smallest mechanical manual-winding movement on the market. By way of comparison, this micromechanical masterpiece composed of 120 parts is about the size of a small Swiss 20-centime coin.

This now legendary calibre (of which the excellence was to be confirmed by the subsequent orders placed by other great names in fine watchmaking) was used to equip three round watches that set a new record as the world’s thinnest watches measuring just 4.54 mm thick. These three timepieces have forever imprinted on people’s minds the image of the archetypal Vacheron Constantin watch: round, classic, ultra-thin and extremely reliable.

In 2010, Vacheron Constantin has chosen to pay tribute to this legendary calibre by housing it within a reinterpretation of one of those three watches: the “Historique Ultra-fine 1955”, currently the world’s thinnest hand-wound watch measuring just 4.10 mm thick to date.

The development of Calibre 1120 began in 1966 and production began at the end of 1967. It too attracted the notice of specialists and collectors and was ordered by other great names in fine watchmaking. In 2010, Vacheron Constantin has also chosen to pay tribute to this equally legendary calibre by housing it within a reinterpretation of the vintage ultra-thin watches: the model now called “Historique Ultra-fine 1968”.

These two timepieces will find their natural place within the “Historiques” collection, specifically created to bring back to life the various designs and movements that have shaped the finest hours of Vacheron Constantin.

A collection composed of watches intended for watchmaking collectors, connoisseurs and devotees, for those with a taste for discreet and elegant models, as well as purists. It features models such as the Chronomètre Royal 1907 presented in 2007 to mark the 100th anniversary of the original, and the amazingly daring Historique American 1921 model reinterpreted in 2008 and which was named “Watch of the Year” in October 2009 in Geneva.

TECHNICAL DATA
Reference    Historique Ultra-fine 1955
33155/000R-9588

The World’s thinnest mechanical hand-wound watch
measuring just 4.10 mm thick to date

Movement    1003
Rebuilt in 18-carat gold for its 55th anniversary in 2010
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva

Mechanical, manual-winding

The thinnest in the world at just 1.64 mm thick

Thickness of movement    1.64 mm

Diameter of movement    20.80 mm

Jewels    18 jewels

Frequency    18’000 vibrations/hour

Indications    Hours, minutes

Power reserve    More than 30 hours

Case    18 carat 4N rose gold
Diameter: 36.00 mm. Thickness: 4.1 mm

Water resistance    3 bar, equivalent to 30 meters

Dial    18 carat gold, silvered opaline
Mirror-polished Maltese Cross and indexes

Strap    Black hand-stitched, saddle-finished
Square-shape scales alligator leather.

Clasp    Buckle in 18 carat 4N rose gold, polished half Maltese Cross

TECHNICAL DATA
Reference    Historique Ultra-fine 1968
43043/000R-9592

Movement    1120, Vacheron Constantin
Stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva

Energy    Mechanical, self-winding

Height of movement    2.45 mm

Diameter of movement    28.00 mm

Jewels    36 jewels

Frequency    19’800 vibrations/hour

Indications    Hours, minutes

Power reserve    More than 40 hours

Case    18 carat 4N rose gold
Square-shaped 35.2 x 35.2 mm, thickness: 5.5 mm

Water resistance    3 bar, equivalent to 30 meters

Dial    Silvered, 18 carat black finished indexes
Mirror-polished Maltese Cross

Strap    Black hand-stitched, saddle-finished
Square-shape scales alligator leather.

Clasp    Buckle in 18 carat 4N rose gold
Polished half Maltese Cross