Meeting Recap: Vacheron Constantin’s Calendar Watches: An Exploration of Time & Space

Christian Selmoni, Vacheron Constantin Style & Heritage Director (Geneva, Switzerland)
Suzanne Wong, Editor-in-Chief, WorldTempus (Geneva, Switzerland)
February 15, 2022

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For the February 2022 Horological Society of New York (HSNY) lecture, Christian Selmoni, Style & Heritage Director for Vacheron Constantin, and Suzanne Wong, Editor-in-Chief of WorldTempus, gave a joint presentation on calendar watches from the Vacheron Constantin brand perspective.

The lecture began with four timepieces from Vacheron Constantin’s private collection. The display demonstrated how the calendar progressed throughout the years:

  • Made in 1790, the Heritage INV.NR 10870 was the first example of the day and date indication

  • Established in 1906, the Heritage INV.NR 403474 pocket watch features a chronograph and alarm function

  • The Model 3620 Don Pancho (1936 - 1940) calendar wristwatch with a retrograde date

  • Launched in 2005, the Reference 80250 Tour De L’Ile Caliber 2750 became a true springboard for the brand’s grand complications

The significance of time is how it is universally, culturally and individually experienced. Selmoni and Wong also pointed out how time is observed as a phenomenon. The following timepieces exemplified the idea of time:

Time observed as a phenomenon

  • Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grande Complication Caliber 3600 — launched 2017

  • Caliber 2755 TMRCC Minute Repeater combined with a sky chart display on the back

  • Metiers d’Art Copernicus Celestial Spheres Caliber 2460RT — launched 2017

Time as a cultural concept

  • Collection Excellence Platine Caliber 2460431R7 — launched 2008

  • Overseas Perpetual Calendar Openworked Caliber 1120QP — launched 2021

  • Metiers d’Art The Masks Caliber 2460G4 — launched between 2007 - 2009

Time that we experience

  • Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar Caliber 3610 (2019)

  • Overseas Dual Time Caliber 5110DT (2018)

  • Metiers D’Art Tribute to Great Explorers Caliber 1120AT (2021)

HSNY thanks Christian Selmoni and Suzanne Wong for their fascinating lecture!

Submitted by Melody Benloss, Recording Secretary