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South China Morning Post

Style Edit: Vacheron Constantin marks its 270th anniversary with new Patrimony and Traditionnelle models, all with a Maltese cross motif on the dial and côte unique finishing

This year, Vacheron Constantin wowed visitors to Watches and Wonders in Geneva with a stunning booth dedicated to the storied maison's 270th anniversary. Central to the celebrations was the brand's emblem since 1880, the Maltese cross, which serves as the central design motif for a stellar line-up of anniversary releases across the collections. Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date. Photo: Handout 'These two collections epitomise the understated elegance of the watches created by Vacheron Constantin over the last 270 years,' says product and innovation director Sandrine Donguy. 'These classic collections are elevated by signature complications, including the retrograde date display; and subtle details, such as the Patrimony's domed dial and the Traditionnelle's fluted caseback. These unexpected twists give each piece a distinctive character, making it a natural decision to honour these timeless designs.' Advertisement All the latest anniversary additions to these two collections include a Maltese cross, uniquely designed for each dial and carefully placed to account for complication displays. Sapphire casebacks reveal 'côte unique' finishing, which was only rediscovered in 2021 while reproducing the Historiques American 1921. The brand's artisans spent more than 500 hours perfecting the technique, now on full display in this year's releases. Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Manual-Winding. Photo: Handout 'We wanted the limited editions to illustrate the 270th anniversary with the movements as well as the dial,' says Donguy. 'The finish is both technical and decorative, with the bridges appearing to form a continuous and harmonious line. Perpetuating ancestral skills, preserving knowledge and passing it on are key values that define Vacheron Constantin 's history.' The Traditionnelle collection is known for combining exceptional technical standards and aesthetics, evoking Geneva's 18th century high horology, seen in details such as stepped lugs, fluted casebacks, slender bezels, a railway-type minutes track and dauphine-style hands. Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Moon Phase. Photo: Handout This year, the collection sees two celebratory editions of the Manual-Winding and Moon Phase. The latter is presented in a stunning diamond-set pink gold 36mm case and is limited to 270 pieces, driven by the manufacture calibre 1410 AS/270 and showing time, power reserve indication, small seconds and moon phase on a mother-of-pearl dial. Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Manual-Winding. Photo: Handout The Manual-Winding sees limited edition runs of 370 pieces each in 950 platinum and 18k 5N pink gold, both in a 38mm case and complete with the calibre 4400 AS/270; and a 270-piece run in a 33mm diamond-set pink gold version with the calibre 1440/270.