From its origin, it was conceived as a line deeply anchored in the history of the House, drawing its inspiration from the elegant and refined watches of the 1920s and 1930s. More explicitly “traditional” than the Patrimony collection, it claims pure Geneva watchmaking, made of aesthetic rigor, balance, and refinement.
From a watchmaking perspective, Traditionnelle also stands out for its great versatility. Where the very clean design of Patrimony—derived from the thin watches of the 1950s—imposes significant constraints when adding complications, Traditionnelle offers an architecture capable of accommodating a wide variety of movements, from the thinnest to the most complex, without ever losing its identity.
This ability to combine heritage and creative freedom finds a particular echo in the history of the perpetual calendar at Vacheron Constantin. The archives of the manufacture attest to the presentation, as early as 1884, of its first perpetual calendar: a double-faced chronometer pocket watch now preserved in the House’s heritage collection. Since then, Vacheron Constantin has continuously explored the perpetual calendar, both on pocket watches and wristwatches, alone or combined with other major complications such as the chronograph or minute repeater.
The 36.5 mm Traditionnelle continues this legacy by reconnecting with the fundamentals of the ultra-thin perpetual calendar for wristwatches. Contrary to popular belief, the pursuit of ultra-thin watches became particularly prominent from the 1980s, in the context of the revival of high mechanical watchmaking after the quartz crisis. Vacheron Constantin’s first ultra-thin perpetual calendar wristwatch—the reference 43031—dates back to 1983. The new Traditionnelle follows the main principles of this piece: a diameter of approximately 36 mm and an ultra-thin movement derived from the same historical base. It also responds to a current trend marked by a return to more modest diameters. More than a tribute, it is a contemporary response to today’s expectations, while respecting an essential heritage.
Through these new interpretations, the fundamentals that define the DNA of Vacheron Constantin are found: a pure classicism, mastery of major complications, ultra-thinness, and exceptional hand finishing. The House’s style remains classic, sophisticated, refined, and profoundly elegant—in one word, timeless. The ongoing challenge for designers is to create watches that are resolutely contemporary in their artistic expression, while maintaining a precious link to the past. This balance is expressed here through a very traditional display, composed of three subdials and a moon phase, directly inherited from pocket watches of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Modernity, on the other hand, is manifested in the exceptional thinness of the movement, the reduced diameter, and the suitability of the piece for current uses and tastes. Whereas many perpetual calendars today display diameters of 40 to 41 mm, the size of this Traditionnelle makes it a watch that is both contemporary and historically consistent with the creations of the 1990s and 2000s. “It is precisely this articulation between aesthetic tradition and contemporary usability that defines Vacheron Constantin,” explains Christian Selmoni, Style and Heritage Director of the manufacture.
The view of this piece naturally highlights its ultra-thin automatic movement certified with the Geneva Seal, a guarantee of an exceptional level of craftsmanship. At only 4.05 mm thick, it achieves a remarkable degree of thinness for such a level of complications, while providing a privileged space for manual finishing. Derived from the same base as the 1983 movement, it perfectly illustrates the ability of a fully developed calibre to endure through decades, a pointed nod to the history of the House, particularly appreciated by collectors.
Finally, this watch was designed without gender distinction. Its 36.5 mm diameter is suitable for both male and female wrists, reflecting a notable evolution: the growing interest of women in major watchmaking complications. This universal size conveys a strong message, addressed to all those who share a passion for fine watchmaking.
