Get ready for an exciting watch event that's about to take the world by storm! Vacheron Constantin, the renowned Swiss watchmaker, is hosting a global competition that will showcase the finest timepieces from their brand.
In collaboration with Phillips and Bacs & Russo, the Vacheron Constantin Concours d'Élégance Horlogère is set to become a prestigious platform for both historical and contemporary haute horlogerie pieces. Seven prestigious awards await, each celebrating a different aspect of watchmaking excellence.
But here's where it gets controversial... To enter, collectors must submit a VC pocket or wristwatch from a specific era - between 1755 and 1999. This excludes quartz watches, clocks, and heavily modified pieces, which could spark some debate among watch enthusiasts.
The competition is divided into seven unique categories, each with its own set of criteria. From chiming mechanisms to astronomical complications and multiple complications, each category celebrates a different aspect of watchmaking craftsmanship. For instance, the Chronomètre Royal category will pit watches bearing the official designation against each other, while the design category will highlight timepieces that embody Vacheron Constantin's signature style.
And this is the part most people miss... The timepieces will be evaluated based on nine specific criteria, including authenticity, elegance, rarity, and impact on the brand's history or the watchmaking industry. Each watch can only be entered into one category, so choosing wisely is crucial.
The jury, comprising a diverse group of experts, designers, and historians from around the world, will decide the winners. Among them are watch historian Nicholas Foulkes, Urwerk cofounder Felix Baumgartner, and vintage watch expert Auro Montanari. Aurel Bacs, watch specialist and cofounder of Bacs & Russo, and Christian Selmoni, Vacheron Constantin's heritage and style director, will oversee the jury's decisions.
"As a lifelong enthusiast of Concours d'Élégance, it has been my dream to bring this concept to fine watchmaking," Bacs said. "I'm thrilled that Vacheron Constantin has embraced this idea, and I can't wait to see the inspiring discoveries and conversations that emerge from this competition."
You can register for the competition starting January 19, with submissions accepted until April 30. Winners will be announced on November 10, following Phillips and Bacs & Russo's fall auctions. So, get your entries ready and let the race for watchmaking excellence begin!
