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Vacheron Constantin Launches Watch Collection for Women

Photo credit: Don Penny
Photo credit: Don Penny

From Town & Country

The world of haute horlogerie has long been a male-dominated sport, leaving women interested in one-of-a-kind collectors pieces with intricate complications and movements no choice but to borrow from the boys.

Now, like the culture at large, watches are catching up with what women want. For the first time in nearly 20 years, Vacheron ­Constantin, the ­centuries-old Swiss watchmaker, is introducing a collection of five mechanical timepieces for women.

Undeniably feminine in look, Egérie, as the range is called, is grounded in the highest level of technical engineering. “The American 21 was the inspiration for this watch,” says senior designer Camille Hermann, referring to a vintage driving watch. “It really represents the modern woman, driving around, independent.”

Photo credit: Don Penny
Photo credit: Don Penny

The hands look like needles; the index resembles embroidered handwritten script in 18K gold. The face is marked by a pleated effect painstakingly created with antique hand—operated guillochage machines. All the Egérie watches have diamond-­encrusted bevels; the most elaborate has a case studded with 292 diamonds, a dial with 510 more, and two buckles set with another 21 diamonds each.

While the line represents a renewed commitment to female clients, the house’s history of serving women is deep. Heritage and style director Christian Selmoni notes that Vacheron began making watches for women early in the 19th century. “We were one of the very first to do it,” he says. “During the first half of the 20th century we were addressing our watchmaking more to ladies than men.”

Now that women are increasingly interested in mechanical watches, Egérie is designed to walk the line between fine jewelry and the everyday timepiece. Some big names in luxury fashion have come out with mechanical watches as well, but bragging rights go to the horological heavyweight with 265 years of history on its side.

This story appears in the April 2020 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW

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