Vacheron Constantin has recently opened a large Vacheron Constantin Mansion in China, right in the heart of Shanghai. Its official inauguration took place on October attended by Juan-Carlos Torres, CEO, Marc Guten, International Director, Yann Bouillonnec, Managing Director of Asia Pacific, and Charlie Lai, Managing Director Hong Kong China of Vacheron Constantin.
Also present and this was a first were the heirs and direct descendants of the Constantin family, Jean and Odette Constantin, who, at the brandэs invitation, travelled from Geneva to cut the symbolic ribbon at this important event.
In his speech, Juan-Carlos Torres said: "Customer expectation has risen considerably in terms of both service and product quality. Our Chinese clients, in particular, display a very sophisticated level of taste as well as a strong attachment to the importance of history and the mastery of high quality craftsmanship. Their interest in our timepieces therefore is important. Our decision to open the Vacheron Constantin Mansion in Shanghai was made to meet this interest. This project confirms our continued determination to strengthen our presence in China, where we are already the most firmly established Haute Horlogerie brand."
Around 800 guests : VIP's, clients, friends of the brand, and journalists - crossed the threshold of 796 Huai Hai Lu, a prestigious avenue in the heart of the old French concession in Shanghai, to discover treed grounds laid out in the English style and, at the far end, the magnificent colonial-style villa from the Decorative Arts period that houses the Vacheron Constantin Mansion.
A full year was needed to renovate this superb listed private mansion and complete a project that is important for the Geneva-based manufacture in China. Built in 1921 and lovingly restored to its original condition, it has been modelled on, and inspired by the spirit of, its historical counterpart in Geneva, but at the same time respects its Chinese heritage and identity.
The Vacheron Constantin Mansion in Shanghai is not an ordinary boutique, but a unique centre for the Haute Horlogerie brand's entire range of services and products in an area covering more than 600 square metres on four floors:
On the first floor are salerooms with all the Geneva-based manufacture's collections, as well as special enamel pieces from the Metiers d'Art collection inspired by the villa's original stained-glass windows, and vintage watches from the Vacheron Constantin Collectors collection.
The second floor, dedicated to collectors and after-sales service, with the only Vacheron Constantin Swiss Master watchmaker working outside Geneva, He shares with enthusiasm his knowledge and his passion of Haute Horlogerie.
The Collector Salon provides watch collectors with a professional, yet confidential, sharing platform. Vacheron Constantin is the first brand in the industry in China to have set up a high-class watch salon within a boutique. It is not just a place to relax and share opinions on watches, it also provides a premium and thoughtful watch storing service for clients.
There is a security room with safety-deposit boxes on the same floor, where customers can safely store their private collections. Each watch deposited here will be very carefully looked after and benefit from the brand's finest technical skills and knowledge.
A dedicated room for the Atelier Cabinotiers Special Orders Department for ordering unique pieces completes the comprehensive services offered by the Vacheron Constantin Mansion.
At the very top of this magnificent villa lies a private room, bearing the Vacheron Constantin signature. Specially designed for guests to enjoy fine food and wines, a splendid view, and the peace of the English garden from the surrounding veranda in the ultimate premium atmosphere, this private dining room offers luxury on a new level.
Other exceptional facilities offered at this new benchmark address are the highly exclusive Kee Club restaurant, a very upmarket gastronomic destination, and the ShanghArt Gallery, a renowned centre for contemporary Chinese art. Not surprisingly, the inauguration of this site was one of the most memorable events on the Shanghai social calendar for a long time.
The evening of the inauguration was highlighted by a spectacular light show on the building's exterior facade. Inside, pride of place was given to the Metiers d'Art, those ancestral skills so carefully cultivated over the years by the Vacheron Constantin manufacture. Engravers, enamellers and master watchmakers were on hand to demonstrate their traditional expertise and technical and aesthetic talents on timepieces specially designed to celebrate this new art and horology centre.
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