Friday, August 5, 2011

Vacheron Constantin on Madison and 64th, New York, NY

on June 23rd, 2011, Vacheron Constantin  arrived in New York, and if you don't believe me just check out the tell tale signs of the yellow cabs, blinking walk sign ... and "oh Yes" how could I forget - the street sign above the One Way sign reading "Madison Avenue".  Yes! Vacheron Constantin has definitely come to New York.
For this momentous occasion - this is the first boutique Vacheron Constantin has opened in USA - the 256 year old company - is selling an exclusive Overseas Chronograph Perpetual Calendar “New York”. The dial, of course, is in the American Red, white and blue colors, looking as busy as rush hour in New York.  It is quite intriguing that Vacheron Constantin opted, for the first time, to add a perpetual complication to its chronograph function within its stainless steel 42mm Overseas case.
Vacheron Constantin obviously wanted to make a big impression on a big city.   A Perpetual calender complication  adds many components to the movement, as the calender accounts for the differing lengths of the months as well as leap years. This watch contains 228 parts and oscillates at 21,600 vph.  Most perpetual calenders need no adjustments until the year 2100.  (Remember to tell that to the great grand kids), unless of course the power reserve of 40 hours diminish.  A 48 month counter with a leap-year indication keeps one up to date.  On the dark blue sun ray satin finished dial, 12 applied trapezoid hour-markers in 18K white gold coated with white luminescent material enable excellent read out in dim conditions. A sub dial at 6 o’clock position accounts for the seconds accompanied ,in the same sub dial, by a moon phase display. The dial is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, coated on the inside with anti-reflective treatment.  In addition, this watch is quite protected from the hustle and bustle of New York, with its 150 meter water resistance - in case one is caught in a heavy rainstorm or gets splashed at the curb by a careening yellow cab through a melting mound of snow. A soft iron cage surrounding the movement protects the watch from wandering magnetic fields.  (truthfully I must do more research into the anti-magnetic properties of a watch)
On the screw down case back emblazoned with a sea vessel ( found on all "Overseas" collections), the number of the watch out of 20, is depicted.  This watch is limited to just 20 pieces.  In addition the location of the new Vacheron Constantin Boutique " Madison and 64th"  is clearly marked on the dial.

A hand-stitched, saddle finished, large squale-scales strap in dark blue Mississippiensis alligator leather with a red leather inner shell completes the "American" look.  Costing $57,900.00, the watch is securely fixed around the wrist with a stainless steel triple-blade folding clasp sporting double security with buttons and Vacheron Constantin's polished half Maltese cross.

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