Yellow gold watches appear to be trending again, which is strange given that there are very few objects as emblematic of success and achievement as a monochrome, gold dress watch. It’s a token of gratitude and a marker of loyalty in most cultures. When it comes to the standard, date-and-time only gold watch, some names appear before others and for the last two decades that name has been the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony. The brand has launched a new version, commemorating the Patrimony’s 20th anniversary and it’s everything you’d expect it to be.
Introduced in 2004 and inspired by a 1957 model, the Patrimony collection is characterized by its minimalist design, featuring clean, elegant contours and a slender silhouette that complement the intricate craftsmanship within. This vintage-inspired timepiece evokes the spirit of Vacheron Constantin’s 1950s creations, an era when the brand's watches epitomized slenderness and timeless elegance, showcasing the pinnacle of classic watchmaking.
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But you can’t celebrate an anniversary without an anniversary watch, and so one of Switzerland’s oldest and most storied brands has brought us a tribute piece designed in collaboration with French designer Ito Morabito, more popularly known as Ora ïto. Ito also happens to be a patron of the brand. Its lineage is quite evident since it has all the visual hallmarks of a Patrimony watch: a round case, a slim bezel, domed dials, slender, curved hour markers, baton-style hands and pearl minute tracks. The burgundy calfskin strap features a raised pattern of rectangular shapes with gently rounded edges, enhancing the watch’s vintage appeal. Drawing inspiration from graphic designs of the 1970s, the strap’s texture provides a striking contrast to the circular geometry of the case and dial. The gold hands are subtly curved to fit the domed profile of the dial. A stepped date window, positioned just above the 6 o’clock marker, features a gold-toned background that blends with the background and doesn’t draw too much attention. Beyond this, the only additional detail on the dial is the metallic, transferred Vacheron Constantin logo, placed at 12 o’clock, signifying the clinical precision that these watches have come to be defined by.
Watches from this era featured clean, minimalist dials with simple hour markers, dauphine hands, and slim profiles. These elements became the blueprint for the Patrimony collection decades later. Models like the Ref. 6087 Chronograph and simple dress watches from the 1950s embody this era’s aesthetic and provided direct inspiration for the Patrimony's creation. Measuring 40mm in diameter and 8.5mm in thickness, the watch is ito’s signature ode to simple solutions for complex designs. Something he has dubbed “simplexity”.
Ultra thin watches have become a horological staple for many-a-watch brands but the trend originated in the 1950s. Here, it’s been recreated to perfection, A slender, flat band divides the central dial from the chapter ring, which features concentric grooves, hand-applied gold pearl minute markers, and sleek gold hour markers. The transparent caseback provides a captivating view of Vacheron Constantin's in-house self-winding caliber 2450 Q6. Measuring a mere 3.6mm in thickness, this finely crafted movement is composed of 196 components, operates at a frequency of 4 Hz, and offers a power reserve of approximately 40 hours. As a Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece, the movement exemplifies the highest standards of craftsmanship and finishing. The mainplate is meticulous, while the bridges showcase the elegant Côtes de Genève pattern. Adding to its allure, the openworked rotor—crafted from gold—features the iconic Maltese cross emblem, a signature of Vacheron Constantin’s rich heritage and artistry.
The Patrimony 20th Anniversary, filled with multi-decade design influences ultimately represents Vacheron Constantin’s core values: elegance, quiet restraint and hidden complexity. Limited to a hundred pieces only, each model costs nearly Rs 30 lakh (excluding taxes).
