Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921

So, following last year’s presentation of the reinterpretation of the Chronomètre Royal 1907 to celebrate that watch’s 100th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin is now presenting the Historiques American 1921. This timepiece is inspired by an avant-garde cushion-shaped wristwatch featuring a crown at one o’clock and produced in very limited numbers by the Geneva-based manufacture specifically for the American market during the Roaring Twenties.

Respecting the spirit of that era, Vacheron Constantin has once again returned to basics by combining creativity and historical accuracy. The new Historiques American 1921, therefore, pays homage to the bold style of the 1920’s.

Classically inspired, elegant, unpretentious but original, and a real dandy of a watch, this model features a case that is faithful to the original and still cushion-shaped, but now crafted in 18K pink gold and with a diameter of 40 mm. Its most distinguishing characteristic is the diagonal reading of the time, with the crown positioned at one o’clock like the original model.

The dial, with its sand-blasted finish, has 12 Arabic numerals painted in black and a minute-track, also painted in black. The Breguet hour and minute hands are in black oxidized 18K gold. The seconds-counter hand at 4 o’clock, however, is baton-shaped, though also in black oxidized 18K gold.

The case, featuring a slightly convex sapphire crystal, has a transparent back through which one can admire the exceptional finishing of the brand new manual-winding 4400 movement, developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin and stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. The movement, which is 28 mm in diameter and 2.8 mm high, indicates hours and minutes, with the seconds on a subdial, and has a frequency of 28,800 vibrations / hour and a power reserve of around 65 hours.

Water-resistant to 3 bar, the approximate equivalent of 30 metres, this new model comes on a dark-brown, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, square-scaled alligator leather strap adorned with an 18K pink gold buckle in the shape of a half Maltese cross.

The production of the Historiques American 1921 will be limited. It should particularly appeal to connoisseurs and to enthusiasts of bold, classical Haute Horlogerie timepieces looking for watches that whet their curiosity due to the timelessness of their aesthetic and functional qualities.

Technical data "Historiques American 1921"

Reference 82035/000R-9359

Movement 4400, developed and produced Vacheron Constantin
Stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva

Energy Mechanical, manual-winding

Height of movement 2.8 mm

Diameter of movement 28.00 mm

Jewels 21 rubies

Frequency 28,800 vibrations/hour

Indications Hours, minutes and off-centre small seconds

Power reserve Approx. 65 hours

Case 18K 5N pink gold
40.00 mm in diameter
Convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on inside
Cushion-shaped round opening
Transparent back with screws, sapphire crystal, off-centre crown

Water-resistance 3 bar, equivalent to 30 metres

Dial Sand-blasted finishing
Black painted Arabic numerals
Painted minute-track
Maltese cross: polished 18K 5N pink gold
Hour and minute hands: black oxidized 18K gold
Seconds hand: black oxidized 18K gold, baton-shaped

Strap Hand-stitched, saddle-finish, square-scaled brown alligator leather

Clasp 18K 5N pink gold buckle with polished half Maltese cross