1 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 40th Anniversary (entire collection)

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Vacheron Constantin NA CEO, Hughes de Pin, gives an overview of the new timepieces Vacheron Constantin introduced at the 2012 SIHH show.

Introducing the tonneau-shaped Malte collection from, Vacheron Constantin.

At SIHH 2012, four models were presented within the Malte collection, three of which meet the new Geneva Seal certification, which not only has a high level of aesthetic requirements, it now also requires the movement to be tested for accuracy. Furthermore, the movement must be tested fully cased up, which is an even more stringent than the industry standard COSC-chronometer test (which requires only that the movement be tested).

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Vacheron Constantin recently announced a larger Excellence Platine Patrimony Contemporary model. Previously available in a 40 mm diameter case, it is now available in a 42 mm diameter. The 7.3 mm ultra-thin case is fully polished, in solid 950 platinum. To achieve a thickness of only 7.3, the movement is a mere 2.45 mm thick.

Powering the Excellence Platine is in-house caliber VC 1120, with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva stamp (a certification available to watchmakers in the Canton of Geneva that requires a high level of hand finishing). The beautifully finished self-winding caliber features circular graining, Côtes de Genève, and a skeletonized oscillating weight -- all visible through a transparent caseback.

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Vacheron Constantin has created a one-of-a-kind master piece to be auctioned at Only Watch 2011, aptly named the "Dove" watch. All proceeds go to the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophies.

The "Dove," combines several of the manufacture's artistic crafts that vividly express the theme of perspective in order to accentuate the sense of depth, each according to its own technique.

An engraver, enameller, gemsetter and guillocher have worked together to create this unique watch. "Inspired by the technique of repetitive tiling designs known as tessellation, this "Métiers d'Art - Perspectives d'Art" watch invites observers to explore a reality that plays with human perception."

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(Click image for gallery - 7 photos - Photos by Peter Chong)

The Vacheron Constantin Metiers d'Art - Chagall & L'Opera de Paris is the first of fourteen hand painted enamel watches that are based on Marc Chagall's 1964 painting on the ceiling of the Paris opera. There are fourteen different composers on the original painting, and independent enamelist Anita Porcet will paint each of the composers on each of the fourteen dials. Each piece will be unique.

Enamel painting on watch dials is a rare art, very few people in the world are capable of painting on such a small scale. Unlike a traditional painter who works on a fairly large surface, enamel dial artists are limited to a very small area (in this case 40 mm in diameter). The area is so small in fact, that enamel artists have to use microscopes to view their work as they paint.

The creation of the hour markers on this timepiece is equally impressive. Each hour marker is hand engraved by an in-house Vacheron Constantin engraver to match the actual gargoyles in the Opera ceiling. These engravings feature the faces of nymphs. Each nymph face has a different expression, and this is well reflected in the hand engraving.

Powering each timepiece is a Calibre 2460 self-winding movement entirely developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin. Each movement is immaculately hand finished, including guilloche, perlage and Geneva stripes.

Like a painting or a sculpture, each of these unique pieces, are true works of art.

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(Click image for gallery - 5 photos)

One of Vacheron Constantin's most popular novelties at SIHH 2011, was the Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time. Their new world time watch features a specially designed complication that allows it to simultaneously display 37 different time zones (as opposed to 24). It also has an innovative day/night indicator that uses a map with a special translucent rotating disk overtop, with shading on half of the disk, therefore indicating in which part of the world it's day and night, at a glance.

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At SIHH 2011, Genevan watch brand, Vacheron Constantin, who has been existence since 1755, unveiled a new timepiece within their Historiques collection. The collection consists of watches that are inspired by original timepieces from Vacheron Constantin's past. In this case, Vacheron Constantin chose to resurrect a beautiful rectangle timepiece from their archive, the Aronde.

The new Historiques Aronde 1954 features a double rounded design on the case flanks, along with a distinctly curved sapphire crystal (the curved case and sapphire crystal are extremely complicated to manufacturer). The 31.20 mm x 44.5 mm case is made of 18K pink gold. It features fully polished sides and the top is brushed. The silver-toned opaline dial with hand guilloché pattern is exquisite.

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