New watch release, the Vacheron Constantin Égérie collection
The new Vacheron Constantin Égérie collection for women marks the brand’s dedication to creating something wonderfully unique for the fairer sex. By combining the essence of Haute Horlogerie and Haute Couture, Vacheron Constantin has created an entirely new collection featuring diamond set timepieces in steel, pink gold and white gold.
The most striking feature of these new timepieces is the off-centred aesthetic brought on by the use of concentric circles highlighting the dials, crown, and the horological complications that are very resonant of Vacheron Constantin’s design codes.
Design Codes
This off-centred aesthetic is not something new to the Maison. They have been offering these dials since the early 19th century, in the form of two intertwined circles, something along the lines of the Grande Seconde Jaquet Droz collection.
Architecturally, the watch face design can be broken down further: the date or moon-phase integration is part of a subtle diagonal line formed by the Vacheron Constantin logo and the uniquely placed crown between 1 and 2’o clock.
The watch faces have a sort of ‘pleated’ effect to them, something akin to delicate fabric finishing. These watches are offered in two sizes — 35 mm and 37 mm diameters — on a versatile interchangeable strap system that we are sure will help the ladies in customising these new timepieces.
The Collection
The Égérie collection can be divided into three iterations: self-winding, moon phase, and moon phase diamond-pavé.
These differing iterations have various reference numbers and technical specifications, and are listed here for your easy access.
Version 1: Self-Winding
Reference 4605F/000R-B496 in 18K 5N pink gold and 4605F/110A-B495 in stainless steel marks the launch of the Égérie self-winding collection. The self-winding collection only comes in the case size of of 35mm diameter and 9.32mm thickness with a transparent sapphire crystal caseback and a water resistance of 30m (3 ATM).
Egerie Lifestyle
The heart — calibre 1088 — is a mechanical, self-winding movement composed of 144 components & 26 jewels. It features an off-centered date display at 2’o clock and beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28’800 A/h) allowing for approximately decent 40 hours of power reserve.
The dial shows the functions of hours, minutes, seconds, and date and on a silvered opaline “pleats” patten dial. The dial face also features 18K 5N pink gold /18K white gold ring set with 34 round-cut diamonds (~0.09 ct) and a circular “pearl” minute track. The hour markers are in 18K 5N pink gold / 18K white gold that are applied Arabic numerals and index but without any luminous content. There is a fair amount of textural contrast on the dial making for good time readability.
Other striking features are the bezel set with 58 round-cut diamonds (~0.88 ct) and the off-centered crown set with a moonstone.
Reference 4605F/000R-B496 costs 28’800 USD while reference 4605F/110A-B495 costs 21’200 USD.
Version 2 – Moon Phase
Reference 8005F/000R-B498 in 18K 5N pink gold and 8005F/120A-B497 in stainless steel marks the launch of the Égérie moon phase collection.
The self-winding collection only comes in the case size of of 37mm diameter and 10.88mm thickness with a transparent sapphire crystal caseback and a water resistance of 30m (3 ATM).
The heart — calibre 1088 L — is a manufacture calibre, mechanical, self-winding movement composed of 164 components & 26 jewels. It features an off-centered moon phase display at 2’o clock and beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28’800 A/h) allowing for approximately decent 40 hours of power reserve.
The dial shows the functions of hours, minutes, seconds, and moon phase on a silvered opaline “pleats” patten dial. The dial face also features 18K 5N pink gold /18K white gold ring set with 36 round-cut diamonds (~0.10 ct) and a circular “pearl” minute track.
The moon phase features an 18K gold moon behind a mother-of-pearl cloud.
The hour markers are in 18K 5N pink gold / 18K white gold that are applied Arabic numerals but without any luminous content. There is a fair amount of textural contrast on the dial not only providing good time readability but the moon phase is a very visually striking feature in itself.
Other striking features are the bezel set with 58 round-cut diamonds (~1.00 ct) and the off-centered crown set with a moonstone.
Both versions 1 and 2 have the same strap configurations.
The strap options are two: the stainless steel version comes on a stainless steel bracelet with triple-blade folding clasp with push-pieces.
The pink gold version comes on with three self-interchangeable ‘Mississippiensis’ alligator leather straps (semi-mat raspberry pink, night blue and candied chestnut with satin effect). Each strap is equipped with an 18K 5N pink gold ardillon buckle.
Reference 8005F/000R-B498 costs 33’400 USD while reference 8005F/120A-B497 costs 25’900 USD.
Version 3 – Moon Phase Diamond Paved
Reference 8006F/000G-B499 in a white gold case set with 292 round-cut diamonds (~3.00 ct) marks the launch of the Égérie moon phase diamond paved collection.
The self-winding collection only comes in the case size of of 37mm diameter and 10.53mm thickness with a transparent sapphire crystal caseback and a water resistance of 30m (3 ATM).
The heart — calibre 1088 L — is a manufacture calibre, mechanical, self-winding movement composed of 164 components & 26 jewels. It features an off-centered moon phase display at 2’o clock and beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28’800 A/h) allowing for approximately decent 40 hours of power reserve.
The dial shows the functions of hours, minutes, seconds, and moon phase on an 18K white gold dial set with 510 round-cut diamonds (~1.85 ct).
The moon phase features a mother of pearl moon behind a translucent sapphire crystal cloud. The hour markers are 18K white gold applied Arabic numerals but without any luminous content.
Other striking feature is the off-centered crown set with a rose-cut diamond (~0.17 ct).
The strap options are two: blue Mississippiensis alligator leather strap with satin effect and a blue satin strap. Each strap is equipped with two 18K white gold ardillon buckles (directly mounted on the straps), each set with 21 round-cut diamonds (~0.21 ct).
Reference 8006F/000G-B499 costs a cool 52’000 USD.
Watch Ya Gonna Do About It?
We think the new Vacheron Constantin Égérie collection resonate of strong character and elegant watches. The dial featuring a ‘pleated’ pattern is visually mesmerising.
In terms of use, we would say the self-winding and moon phase versions are definitely daily wearers. Given the look and sizing, the Égérie collection is essentially a dress watch range but will feel at home at a formal occasion or even the office boardroom. The moon-phase version can be worn over with weekend with jeans and t-shirt.
The non-quartz movement and larger case sizes are a refreshing aspect. The new Égérie ladies’ collection is a step in the right direction for brands to be including dedicated women’s watch collections in their overall range.
Since these watches are not limited edition, we would recommend going in to Vacheron Constantin boutiques and authorised points of sale from March 1st 2020 onwards and trying one on in person to really marvel at its beauty.
The Égérie name of the collection has been derived from Egeria, a famous nymph in the Roman mythology. In a more contemporary setting, the name of the collection could mean a ‘muse’, an embodiment of feminism that inspires modern day artists, designers and other creative talents. This new Vacheron Constantin Égérie collection embodies this namesake spirit by epitomising the new face of watchmaking femininity.
Images courtesy ©Vacheron Constantin. All rights reserved.
To find out more about this and other Vacheron Constantin watches, visit their website here.
