Mario Canonizado 
Even with Watches & Wonders 2025 in full swing, Vacheron Constantin have kept the celebrations going! This time, the focus shifts towards the ladies’ Traditionnelle collection.
The 2025 iteration of the world’s biggest watch fair has proven to be a landmark year for countless brands. With major anniversaries being celebrated all across the industry – some marking decades, others even centuries – the stakes have never been higher. As collectors, enthusiasts, and industry insiders gather to witness the latest innovations, the pressure is on for the most revered names in watchmaking to reaffirm their legacies. For brands like TAG Heuer, A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, and Hublot, Watches & Wonders 2025 is their chance to prove why they can still call themselves the top dogs after such a long time in the game.
Related Reading: What Are The Major Watch Anniversaries for 2025?
However, if I had to bet on which brand is under the most scrutiny this year, my money would be on Vacheron Constantin. Not only are they uniquely positioned as one of horology’s ‘Big Three’ alongside Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, but they also face the daunting task of celebrating 270 years of history and heritage. Spanning nearly three centuries, the Genevan brand holds the distinction of being the longest continually operating watchmaker in existence. To put this into perspective, Vacheron Constantin has crafted timepieces of stunning quality through some of the most tumultuous periods in history, including: the American and French Revolutions; the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte; the Russian Revolution; both World Wars; and the formation of the European Union. In the modern industrial landscape where everyone gets but fifteen minutes of fame, Vacheron Constantin’s ability to thrive through these major global shifts speaks volumes about their resilience and mastery of the craft.
So, how does the most storied watch brand in the world choose to celebrate its 270th birthday? Well, by releasing more masterpieces for us watch lovers, of course! Spanning across both the Patrimony and Traditionnelle collections, this celebration brings to life the ambitions and values of Vacheron Constantin, transforming them from intangible beliefs into physical masterpieces meant to be worn on the wrist. In this case, both Traditionnelle timepieces pictured above perfectly encapsulate the brand’s ruthless pursuit of horological perfection, combining their meticulous eye for detail with the engineering prowess that prompted their ascent up the ladder of the watch world.
Related Reading: The Most Celebrated Watch Collections by Vacheron Constantin
Though the Traditionnelle has been a cornerstone of the Vacheron Constantin lineup since 2007, the women’s editions of the collection did not arrive until much later. The aesthetic of the Traditionnelle was clean and authentic, a tribute to the classical designs that dominated the 18th century. However, these watches typically catered to a male audience, and with the growing demand for more elegant women’s watches, Vacheron Constantin soon realised that it could no longer afford to ignore this rising demographic. The Lady Traditionnelle models, featuring precious metals, spectacular gem-setting, and meticulously crafted movements tailored to smaller dimensions, marked an important evolution for the brand. These timepieces not only showcased Vacheron Constantin’s engineering prowess but also laid the groundwork for a more inclusive approach. They may have even been a catalyst for the development of the Égérie collection, the brand’s first women-only line since 2003, which debuted in 2020.
Now, with the advent of Vacheron Constantin’s 270th Anniversary, the Richemont brand is ensuring that no one is left behind for the upcoming festivities. Watches & Wonders 2025 sees the introduction of two new pieces in the Lady Traditionnelle lineup, complete with all the classic elements that made the originals iconic – enhanced with a commemorative twist, of course. The first reference is a time-only model, featuring a 33mm case diameter and a slim 7.7mm thickness, while the second is slightly larger at 36mm in diameter with an 8.9mm thickness and possesses a power reserve indicator, small seconds, and a moonphase complication. Both timepieces are encased in 18k pink gold, a fitting material for their luxurious nature, and are adorned with a stunning array of diamonds across the bezel. The 36mm reference also boasts diamonds on the case, as well as a diamond set into the crown, further elevating the design.
Related Reading: Vacheron Constantin, The Watchmaker That Defined Luxury For 270 Years
However, these features are stock standard when it comes to the Lady Traditionnelle collection, so in the most professional terms that I know: What gives? Well, unlike the rest of the Lady Traditionnelle models in the Vacheron Constantin catalogue, this pair of debutantes both sport a white mother-of-pearl dial that has been decorated with an ornate geometric motif. Upon closer inspection, you’ll realise that these grooves haven’t been randomly placed; rather, they evoke the Maltese Cross motif that has been a hallmark of Vacheron Constantin watches since 1880. What’s even more remarkable is that these grooves align perfectly with the lines of the tiny Maltese Cross logo present on both pieces, adding an extra layer of design cohesion. This meticulous attention to detail allows the mother-of-pearl dial to hypnotise the wearer from any angle. Given that mother-of-pearl is a naturally occurring material, I find it exceptionally daring that Vacheron Constantin’s first instinct was to delicately shave microns off it to create such an intricate pattern. One misstep, and the craftsmen would have been forced to start entirely from scratch, as naturally occurring materials like mother-of-pearl cannot be replicated.
In classic Vacheron Constantin fashion, however, the aesthetics are but half the battle for the craftsmen and engineers under their employ. Turning the watch around reveals the see-through case back, which showcases either the 1400/270 or 1410 AS/270 manual-wind movement, serving as the beating heart of each timepiece. As with most of the other 270th Anniversary movements, the 1400 and 1410 AS are regular models within the brand’s lineup, but they distinguish themselves with several exclusive details that make them coveted statement pieces for discerning collectors.
First, every 270th Anniversary movement is subtly engraved with the Vacheron Constantin 270 logo, marking the special occasion for which these pieces were created. Beyond this, each movement is adorned with unique finishing, distinguished by its meticulous craftsmanship. While simple at first glance, the finishing reveals itself to be a masterful work of art upon closer inspection, showcasing the exceptional precision and attention to detail that Vacheron Constantin is renowned for. Finally, every Vacheron Constantin movement has also been given the Poinçon de Genève – the Geneva Seal. If you’re familiar with the term, then you may know how insanely difficult it is to get just one watch approved by the City of Geneva, yet Vacheron does so on a consistent basis. The fact that they are able to get such a prestiguous hallmark onto a movement this small is perhaps a testament to all the visionaries within the Swiss brand’s manufacture.
My Thoughts
I often feel like I’m ill-equipped to talk about anything related to women – no points as to guessing why! However, I do know watches, and as far as I believe these 270th Anniversary edition of the Lady Traditionnelle models aptly represent the highest and most luxurious form of the women’s watch industry. Just to be sure, though, I made sure to get a lady’s opinion – so when I showed these to my partner, she glanced over, said “Ooo,” and then promptly went back to scrolling through YouTube shorts.
I feel that, as men, we are often spoiled for choice when it comes to the types of watches we want, and we often forget how tough our companions of the opposite gender have it in the industry. And while these Lady Traditionnelle models will not cater precisely to every woman’s tastes (or wallets, for that matter), they still represent that, at least in the realms of haute horlogerie, esteemed brands like Vacheron Constantin are still striving to deliver for the female market. As always, though, there is always more work to be done – but who better to call than Vacheron Constantin? After all, they love to follow the wise words of co-founder François Constantin: “Faire mieux si possible, ce qui est toujours possible (Do better if possible, and that is always possible)“
References: 1405T/000R-H061 (Time Only)/83570/000R-H060 (Moonphase)
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 33mm case diameter x 7.7mm thickness/36mm case diameter x 8.9mm thickness
- Case Material: 18k Pink gold with 54 round-cut diamond-set (approx. 0.87 ct) bezel/80 round-cut diamond-set (approx. 1.13 ct) bezel
- Dial: White mother-of-pearl with Maltese Cross guilloché pattern
- Movement: Manual wind 1400/270/Manual wind 1410 AS/270 with small seconds, power reserve indication, & moonphase complications
- Power Reserve: 38h
- Water Resistance: 30m (3bar)
- Strap: Pink Mississippiensis (American) alligator leather strap with pink gold pin buckle
