Introducing – Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières Beijing Edition
Today we are taking a closer look at the Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection – and one model in particular – which once again sees Vacheron Constantin flexing its creative muscles. Available exclusively from Vacheron Constantin boutiques, the collection is comprised of four references, three of which are dedicated to Paris, Geneva and New York respectively, while the fourth is the newly announced Beijing model that is the focus of our article today.
It’s fair to say that the watch industry isn’t renowned for a culture of transparency, with its sometimes confusing mix of companies, parent companies, and suppliers. Add to the equation a hefty dose of marketing invested in the concept ‘in-house’ and the waters become even murkier. The reality is that fully vertical watchmakers are very rare indeed, with most brands making use of third parties, be that in design or production. This (paywalled) Financial Times article investigates ‘secret watchmakers’, who operate at the higher end of horology – often established watchmakers in their own right, who moonlight for other brands on the side. And while some brands are becoming more public about their external partners, its not the norm. Essential reading if you’re interested in parting the smoke and seeing through the mirrors.
Editor’s Note: Simple vintage looks, rich tones, a brushed dial and a cinnamon suede strap to die for, all for a very reasonable price. The Longines Heritage 1945 – it’s the perfect watch for a crisp winter’s day. One of the highlights on our Baselworld calendar is seeing what heritage re-release Longines has cooked up, and whoo boy, have they pulled out all the stops in 2017 or what. You’re looking at the Heritage 1945, an absolutely on point interpretation of a mid-century dress watch. Based on a 1945 design called the Calatrava by collectors, this watch does everything right. Funnily enough it’s the exact watch that Sunflowerman illustrated as part of the Watercolour Watch project back in 2015. The 40mm steel case is simple, and not overly fussy, with a flat bezel just the right width and a slender-yet-functional crown. The mid-tan nubuck strap with single line of reinforcing stitching in contrasting thread walks a perfectly straight line between dress and casual. The real star is the dial. For such a minimal layout, Longines has packed it full of sexy detail. First of all there’s the vintage velvet effect of the brushed copper-tone convex dial, then there’s the alternating steel-tone…
