1.64mm ultra-thin caliber 1003…
above photo: VC The Hour Lounge
above photo: VC The Hour Lounge
According to Vacheron, the original 1972 was made in a very limited
series with a caseback engraved with the Prestige de la France coat of
arms, so as to commemorate the award given to the prestigious watch
manufacture by the Comite de France.
The 1972 Prestige featured here is, like the original,
embellished with the Prestige de la France on the caseback. The case
dimensions, though proportionally the same, are slightly larger than the
original. Both are in accordance with the Golden Ratio,
a formula which is known to yield aesthetically pleasing objects —
hence its use by artists and architects for many many years now.
For the opening of Vacheron Constantin’s new Paris flagship boutique
in Paris, the brand revisited a distinct model from its past to create
the 1972 Prestige. The new Prestige is part of the asymmetrical “1972″
collection and was inspired by the original from 1972. Though, this
modern day version features the Geneva Seal and has the ultra-thin VC
hand-wound caliber 1003 made of gold (same as in the Historiques 1955).
It will be offered in two variations — including a 40-piece
boutique-only edition, shown above. The Vacheron Constantin 1972
Prestige price is $40,000. Despite its asymmetry, it is actually a
rather elegant watch (see wrist shot below).
Vacheron Constantin 1972 Prestige
Production model (left); limited edition 40-piece boutique exclusive (right)
25mm x 47mm asymmetrical white gold case (8.72mm thick), hallmark of Geneva, hand-wound VC cal 1003
grey dial / rose gold hands
If you want to see more hands-on pics, jump on over to this page at The Hour Lounge, Vacheron’s self-hosted forum.
Did You Know?
Vacheron Caliber 1003 was developed starting in 1952
and introduced on the company’s two-hundredth birthday in 1955. To
this day, it remains the thinnest mechanical hand-wound movement on the
market. Of note is that with the original caliber 1003 of 1955 the
engineers and watchmakers decided to forgo shock protection on the
escape wheel so as to maintain the thinnest execution possible; however
in the early 90s watchmaking techniques enabled the addition of shock
protection without increasing the calibers height.
On this occasion, Vacheron Constantin has chosen to use a revisited
version of this calibre. It remains only 1.64 mm thick – still a record
for thinness on the market. In contrast, its finishes are more
sophisticated than in the early days, because now the bridges and plate
are made of 18K gold. Its 117 components work at a frequency of 18,000
vph, and despite its minuscule size it has a power reserve of over 30
hours. It is meticulously finished: applying the Côtes de Genève
motif,circular graining and bevelling of the components, and drawing of
the steel parts is all done entirely by hand.
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