The Historiques American 1921 epitomises the boldness of the 1920s and the technical sophistication of a Vacheron Constantin creation. This year the watch is reinterpreted in a 36.5 mm diameter, with a case in 18K 5N pink gold. Featuring its distinctive diagonal read-off and off-centred crown between 1 and 2 o’clock, the Historiques American 1921 – 36.5 mm model continues flaunting its vintage credentials while remaining true to its original aesthetic codes. Classical yet quirky.
Reading the time while keeping one’s hands on the steering wheel, or during a speech without having to twist the wrist, such was the practical vocation of this watch with its diagonal read-off, created by Vacheron Constantin in the 1920s for an American client with a passion for cars. This highly distinctive display was achieved by a 45-degree counter-clockwise rotation of the movement, thereby naturally displacing the crown to between 1 and 2 o’clock, and the small seconds display to between 4 and 5 o’clock. The creative boldness of this composition is offset by the understated elegance of the finely grained silver-toned dial with its black painted Arabic numerals and minute track, slender open-tipped hands in black oxidised 18K gold, and a baton-shaped hand on the seconds counter. Elegance and eccentricity on the wrist.
Loyal to the original, the Historiques American 1921 – 36.5 mm model watch comes in a cushion-shaped case in 18K 5N pink gold, fitted with a lightly domed sapphire crystal. It a powered by the Vacheron Constantin 4400 AS manual-winding caliber, driving hours, minutes and small seconds indications while ensuring a 65-hour power reserve.
The watch is dressed with a hand-stitched dark brown alligator leather strap with large square scales, equipped with a pin buckle shaped like a half Maltese cross, the historical emblem of the Maison. It will be also delivered with a second red alligator shiny leather strap to match a feminine style.
