Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time
The unique Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time from Vacheron Constantin
Unique know-how and punctual event deserving a special piece. Vacheron Constantin introduces this Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time to the famous Monaco auction bid.
By Joel Grandjean
Editor-in-Chief
A figurehead in arts and crafts, the manufacture, pioneer among the pioneers of watchmaking’s famous history, still works in the fields of engraving, enamelling and setting. Three secular professions preserved for more than 250 on a daily basis to the great delight of seasoned collectors. The whole haloed by a classicism which hits the bull’s eye, crossing the «time’s airs» like a surfer from Reunion on an exceptional wave. It’s all about balance.
This rarity with a 950 platinum case and pierced back, water resistant to approximately 30 metres, comes down to the 42,5 mm in diameter which circles the self-winding calibre 2460WT, consisting of 255 components, of its 28’800 vibrations per hour and a 40-hour power reserve. A skilfully assembled construction whereby the hour-minute functions and seconds central on top of that propose 37 time zones coupled with the precious day/night indication.
Four levels of reading, historical legitimacy
As for the dial, complexity is not left out. Four parts for the Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time: one gold central dial with the seas hand-engraved, sprinkled with translucent and opalescent enamel, visually enhanced by a European map which has equally been made in enamel, this time according to the technique champlevé. A round diamond symbolises the Rocher. A second metal dial, saddled with towns painted in a black sharply contrasting with the reserved red in Monaco. The names of key towns, 24 in black and 13 in grey, have been inscribed on it. They correspond to time zones with a space of a quarter hour, or a half hour. The third dial is in sapphire with the 24-hours indicators, the night zone indicator in red and the day indicator in white.
The fourth dial is a metal ring with the minute-circle painted in black contrasting with the 18-carats gold index appliques. Obviously, at the back, the inscription «Only Watch 2013, unique piece», establishes discreet allusions to the event’s exceptional dimension.
In 1932, Vacheron Constantin already presented a watch equipped with an international hour mechanism, since then starting a continuous initiative punctuated by research and developments around this major complication, yet somewhat forgotten in the current hit parade of the market’s expectations. Yet, if the mastering of a changing hour indication following frank time zones, the one which consists of being capable, through a mechanical calibre kept to its strict minimum, of equally indicating the ones which inscribe in the intervals extending to quarter of hours, is a matter of the most incredible madness. Since, if this functionality inclines towards being admired, it is first and foremost bearer of a message which crowns Vacheron Constantin’s spirit ever since its creation: the opening to the world, with its first breakthroughs at the United States in 1832 and its first conquests in China as from 1845.
Rigorous precision, two dates which remain prior to the famous international conference of Washington in 1884. This States’ meeting of the time decided the Zero Meridian as well as the current division of 24 principal time zones of a harmonized world.