Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest watch manufacture in continuous operation, today unveiled The American Heritage of Vacheron Constantin Exhibit, a display of historical timepieces at the first-ever U.S. boutique on Madison Avenue in New York City. The exhibit will be open to the public and on display through October 30, 2011.
The exhibit coincides with an interactive online event, The American Heritage of Vacheron Constantin, launched on August 15th. The exhibit and online event represent the intersection of American history with the company’s 256-year history and the rich stories of its American collectors.
The American Heritage of Vacheron Constantin Exhibit will showcase timepieces never before seen in the United States. Several interesting and rare timepieces have been taken directly from the Vacheron Constantin museum in Geneva, Switzerland, including the original American 1921, the classic driving watch first conceived during The Roaring Twenties. A pocket watch owned by automotive magnate James Ward Packard, repurchased by the Maison for $1.8 million at Christie’s June auction, will also be shown.
In addition to the pieces from the Vacheron Constantin archives, the exhibit will include a number of exquisite timepieces from the personal archives of Vacheron Constantin U.S. collectors. Two unique timepieces that have never before been seen in public will be on display, including a timepiece created in 1935 for King Farouk of Egypt. When created, the piece was one of the most complex pocket watches ever produced. Another extraordinary addition to the exhibit includes an 18K yellow gold and enameled open-faced watch from 1910 previously owned by the railroad tycoon Diamond Jim Brady, a privately owned piece loaned courtesy of Sotheby’s.
The exhibit will be on display at the new boutique located at 729 Madison Avenue – Vacheron Constantin’s first U.S. boutique.
