In 1921, Vacheron Constantin seized the powerful momentum of the Roaring Twenties to create a watch with an avant-garde design produced primarily for the American market. In 2021, the Maison is celebrating the anniversary of this icon, particularly appreciated by collectors and connoisseurs of Haute Horlogerie, with three new interpretations of the American 1921 model. A contemporary take on a legendary watch, honouring the visionary boldness of the Manufacture. These novelties presented at Watches & Wonders 2021, as well as the historical models epitomize the Maison’s ‘classic with a twist’ theme for 2021. They embody Vacheron Constantin’s creative energy, guided by an identity that celebrates heritage and dares to deliver the unexpected.
All photos supplied by Vacheron Constantin
Historiques American 1921 – white gold 40 mm
With its 18K white gold case, offset dial and crown boldly positioned between 1 and 2 o’clock, this American 1921 model reprises the aesthetic codes first outlined 100 years ago in the Vacheron Constantin workshops. The chic retro look of this watch for the vintage-loving dandy adorns the wrist with its generous 40 mm proportions framing a finely grained silver-toned dial. This extremely pared-down face bears Arabic numerals and a black-painted minutes track, along with slender 18K gold Breguet-type hands and a baton-type hand on the seconds counter – all three in black. This distinctive appearance is complemented by a brown calf leather strap crafted in the Milan-based workshops of Serapian, the Italian leather goods company founded in 1928.
With its 18K white gold case, offset dial and crown boldly positioned between 1 and 2 o’clock, this American 1921 model reprises the aesthetic codes first outlined 100 years ago in the Vacheron Constantin workshops. The chic retro look of this watch for the vintage-loving dandy adorns the wrist with its generous 40 mm proportions framing a finely grained silver-toned dial. This extremely pared-down face bears Arabic numerals and a black-painted minutes track, along with slender 18K gold Breguet-type hands and a baton-type hand on the seconds counter – all three in black. This distinctive appearance is complemented by a brown calf leather strap crafted in the Milan-based workshops of Serapian, the Italian leather goods company founded in 1928.
Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, the manual-winding Vacheron Constantin Calibre 4400 AS is offset from its usual axis. This reliable and accurate in-house movement, developed in 2008, drives the display of hours, minutes and small seconds while ensuring a comfortable 65-hour power reserve. It is graced with hand-crafted finishes reflecting the noblest Haute Horlogerie traditions.
Historiques American 1921 – white gold 36.5 mm
With its 36.5mm case, the American 1921 fits even the slimmest of wrists. Sculpted in 18K white gold, its slender silhouette frames a grained silver-toned dial with black-painted Arabic numerals and a snailed small seconds counter with slender black 18K gold open-tipped hours and minutes hands. Adding a retro touch in tune with the original design, the circumference of the dial is accentuated by a minutes track.
Beating off the hours, minutes and small seconds, the manual-winding Vacheron Constantin Calibre 4400 AS is also offset from its traditional axis and extended by a crown positioned at 1:30 am. In addition to a comfortable 65-hour autonomy, this in-house movement features hand-crafted decorations visible through the transparent caseback and typical of Haute Horlogerie timepieces such as this new American 1921 watch. The finishing touch is set by two dark brown or burgundy straps in patinated calf leather, crafted by Italian leather goods manufacturer Serapian.
Historiques American 1921 Collection Excellence Platine
Entirely sculpted in 950 platinum, the American 1921 Collection Excellence Platine comes in a 100-piece individually numbered limited edition available exclusively in Vacheron Constantin boutiques.
TECHNICAL DATA
Historiques American 1921 – 40 mm
Reference 82035/000G-B735
Calibre
4400 AS
Developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin Mechanical, manual-winding
28.6 mm (12 ½ ‘’’) diameter, 2.8 mm thick
Approximately 65 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
127 components
21 jewels
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Indications
Hours, minutes
Small seconds
Case
18K white gold
40 mm diameter, 8.06 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 metres)
Dial
Grained silver-toned dial
Snailed small seconds counter
Black painted Arabic numerals and minutes track
18K gold blackened hours, minutes and seconds hands
Applied Maltese cross in polished 18K white gold
Strap
Dark brown calf leather with Serapian patina, calf leather inner shell, tone on tone stitching
Buckle
18K white gold buckle
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Historiques American 1921 – 36.5 mm
Reference 1100S/000G-B734
Calibre
4400 AS
Developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin Mechanical, manual-winding
28.6 mm (12 ½ ‘’’) diameter, 2.8 mm thick
Approximately 65 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
127 components
21 jewels
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Indications
Hours, minutes
Small seconds
Case
18K white gold
36.5 mm diameter, 7.41 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 metres)
Dial
Finely grained silver-toned dial
Snailed small seconds counter
Black painted Arabic numerals and minutes track
18K gold blackened hours, minutes and seconds hands
Applied Maltese cross in polished 18K white gold
Strap
Dark brown calf leather with Serapian patina, calf leather inner shell, tone on tone stitching
Delivered with a second burgundy calf leather strap
Buckle
18K white gold buckle
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Historiques American 1921 – Collection Excellence Platine
Reference 82035/000P-B748
Calibre
4400 AS
Developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin Mechanical, manual-winding
28.6 mm (12 ½ ‘’’) diameter, 2.8 mm thick
Approximately 65 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
127 components
21 jewels
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Indications
Hours, minutes
Small seconds
Case
950 platinum
40 mm diameter, 8.06 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 metres)
Dial
950 platinum, sand-blasted
“Pt950” hallmark at 3 o’clock
Sandblasted small seconds counter
18K white gold Arabic numerals, minutes track, hours and minutes hands
Blued steel small seconds hand
Applied Maltese cross in polished 18K white gold
Strap
Dark blue Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator inner shell, hand-stitched with platinum 950 and silk, saddle-finish, large square scales
Buckle
950 platinum buckle
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Limited edition of 100 individually numbered piecesAvailable exclusively from Vacheron Constantin boutiques.
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