The new Quai de l’Ile line from the Vacheron Constantin Manufacture introduces a unique dimension in the world of Haute Horlogerie.
Personalized to meet the client’s wishes, this resolutely contemporary watch combines the most advanced technologies with the finest horological savoir-faire. Innovative, original, contemporary and sophisticated, the Quai de l’Ile line meets the demands of tomorrow’s Haute Horlogerie: personalization, security, service, excellent workmanship and savoir-faire.
With its new Quai de l’Ile line – named after the brand’s historic Geneva address – the Vacheron Constantin Manufacture reveals its pioneering character while drawing on over two and a half centuries of experience.
The case is revolutionary, the dial incorporates a whole range of security-printing technologies, the two self-winding mechanical movements – stamped with the Geneva Hallmark – have been designed and developed at Vacheron Constantin, and the product’s accessories – box, passport, USB key and multimedia elements – break new ground in the world of watchmaking.
Characterised by both technology and tradition, this combination of elements constitutes the unique genetic heritage of Vacheron Constantin’s new Quai de l’Ile line, an innovative and resolutely contemporary line that embodies the notions of service and the special relationship with the customer.
Personalization, the ultimate luxury
Personalization is the ultimate expression of luxury. It is also the elemental link in the relationship between a customer and brand, between expectations and service. It is to strengthen this link and to offer a unique experience to its clientele that Vacheron Constantin has developed a concept of personalization that is totally new in Haute Horlogerie, a world first in fact. Thanks to the Quai de l’Ile case and its remarkable seven-piece middle, the customer can choose from three metals, two dials and two different finishes on the movements to realise the watch of his dreams. While the cushion-shaped case allows for an infinite number of combinations, Vacheron Constantin is offering almost 400 for this year’s launching.
Quai de l’Ile: a name, a history, a symbol
The Quai de l’Ile has been Vacheron Constantin’s historical address in Geneva since the 19th century, ever since Jean-François Constantin (1829-1900) had a building constructed there in 1873-1874. A visionary, he already felt the need to give the manufactory a place which would help it stand out in the world of Geneva’s Haute Horlogerie and give it a more international dimension. It has been from this busy place, located between the right and left banks of the Rhone, that Vacheron Constantin has continued to meet the ever more stringent demands of its customers.
This address soon became the symbol of an incomparable quality of service with the creation of personalized Haute Horlogerie timepieces that reflected the brand’s motto, “Do better if possible, which is always possible”. Kings and queens, aristocrats and powerful, leading families of the period followed each other to the Quai de l’Ile to order watches that met their dearest wishes.
It is from this enduring commitment to offer our customers ever more exceptional timepieces, which are faithful to the spirit of our founders, that the idea for the Quai de l’Ile line was born, a totally unique concept of personalization in the world of Haute Horlogerie.
Dynamic character
Designed in the dynamic of a sophisticated and contemporary line, the instantly identifiable Quai de l’Ile case expresses the tradition behind Vacheron Constantin’s 250+ years of history as well as the line’s resolutely innovative character. The case is cushion-shaped in the spirit of several historical models and its modernity is underscored by its dynamic character, fluid lines and original shapes, all of which give it a subtle balance.
Avant-garde technologies
The Quai de l’Ile’s complex mechanism can be seen through the line’s semi-transparent dials, which are an innovative blend of the world of watchmaking and the sophisticated, top-secret technologies of security printing. Art and cutting-edge technology, extreme precision and aesthetic creativity come together in these exclusive and secure dials, which have four patents pending.
The Manufacture’s signature
The new Quai de l’Ile line will be launched with two models: the Quai de l’Ile Date Self-winding and the Quai de l’Ile Day-Date and Power-Reserve Self-winding. Both movements are stamped with the prestigious Geneva Hallmark. Designed, developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin, these state-of-the-art movements are coated with rhodium or ruthenium and visible through the dial. As well as indicating the hours, minutes and central seconds, the 2460QH calibre displays the date by means of a disc, while the 2475SC/1 calibre displays the date, day of the week and power reserve with hands.
Pair of straps
Each Quai de l’Ile model is delivered with two straps: one in black or dark-brown hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square-scaled alligator leather; the other in dark-brown or black vulcanised rubber, with a refined and elegant design. Both types of strap come with a new triple-folding, double-safety clasp with a half-Maltese-cross flap. Specially designed for the Quai de l’Ile line, this clasp matches the heart of the case and has a polished (palladium or pink gold) or satined (titanium) finish.
Secure environment
Vacheron Constantin was determined to push to the limits the concept of security that is the hallmark of the Quai de l’Ile line. The innovative product environment is an integral and extended part of the security and inviolability that characterise the dials. A Vacheron Constantin passport offering similar standards of protection and quality as a Swiss passport will accompany every watch in the line for its lifetime. An innovative box, a USB key and a multimedia tool – all very original elements for a Haute Horlogerie watch – have been designed to correspond in every way to the watch’s contemporary character.
Pushing back the limits
With its sophisticated and contemporary character, the new Quai de l’Ile line (identified by its cushion shape) will develop alongside Vacheron Constantin’s two main pillars, the Malte (tonneau) and the Patrimony (round). It will be distinguished by its sophisticated technologies and its distinctive concept of personalization. The launching of the Quai de l’Ile line represents a milestone in Vacheron Constantin’s history, with the concept of personalization pushing back even further the limits of exclusiveness that the Geneva-based manufactory has made its own.
Quai de l’Ile The ultimate luxury of personalization
With its novel concept of personalization, the Quai de l’Ile line has given Haute Horlogerie a new dimension.
Sophisticated, bold and resolutely innovative, this contemporary line has achieved the feat of marrying the most sophisticated technologies to over 250 years of horological savoir-faire. As a result, Vacheron Constantin is determining the shape of tomorrow’s watchmaking.
An ambassador of horological excellence for over 250 years, Vacheron Constantin has always endeavoured to give its customers excellent service, just as it has always been a point of honour to give its movements the finest finishing. Vacheron Constantin has always considered these special decorations, whether they are visible or not, as hallmarks of Haute Horlogerie.
By linking the notions of service and personalization in this new line, the Geneva-based manufacture has taken a further step in this direction. And giving customers the opportunity to create their own watch revives the spirit of the Cabinotiers, which is so important to the brand. This is a watch that will forge an instant and privileged relationship between designer and brand and one that, at the end of the creative process, will assert its unique character.
Participating in the creation of such a personal object and playing an active role in determining its final aspect will be an unforgettable experience. In this sense, Vacheron Constantin is placing the customer right at the centre of the process and thereby determining the shape of tomorrow’s watchmaking.
Vacheron Constantin is a pioneer through and through. Giving concrete expression to the innovative concept of personalization in the Quai de l’Ile line is further evidence of this. But this is personalization of a new kind, a world first in the world of Haute Horlogerie, and is only made possible by the very complex construction of the 7-part case middle.
Transparency and architecture
A watch from the new Quai de l’Ile line makes an immediate impact. Its semi-transparent dial is fascinating, its suspended displays astonishing, its distinguished, modern case appealing and its combination of materials intriguing. The case has been designed and developed in a resolutely avant-garde and architectural dynamic and lies at the heart of the personalization process. With a dial embodying the very latest security-printing technologies and a cushion-shaped case, the designers opted for a theme of transparency and avant-garde design. The technology invested in the case, as well as the vigour and power that emanate from it, will satisfy the most demanding enthusiasts of technical prowess, luxury and exclusiveness.
