Matt Clymo 
The new 270th Anniversary Patrimony pieces are worthy of the Maison’s birthday celebrations and thanks to the new limited edition dial, are just that little more special.
As part of the celebrations for Vacheron Constantin, the oldest continuous operating watch brand in the world has released some special pieces in their Patrimony collection at Watches & Wonders 2025. We’ve already covered the stunning new 270th edition Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date, but today, we’re looking at the time-only/date version, that has been given the birthday treatment.
With a choice of 18k white gold or 18k 5N pink gold, the 270th Anniversary editions come in the 40mm Patrimony case that is thin at 8.65mm. Like their Moon Phase Retrograde Date counterparts, these pieces have been given the new 270th Anniversary dial done in a silver-toned geometric motif inspired by the Maltese Cross. As I mentioned in my previous article, these dials are stunning in person and create an almost optical illusion with the seconds hand against the lines of the dial.
The watches are very much a Patrimony, with Vacheron Constantin keeping the thin bezel, the curved and rounded case with curved applied hour markers that follow the dial’s flow from the centre to the outer edges. However, with these anniversary pieces, Vacheron has opted to take away the pearl-shaped minute track that is normally found on the dial, allowing the wearer to admire the full effect of the 270th Edition dial motif.
Flip the watch over and you can see through the sapphire case back, you’ll spot something you don’t see often – the ‘côte unique’ finish which has been done on the movement of these anniversary pieces. Vacheron Constantin actually used it over a century ago, but it was only rediscovered in 2021 while recreating the Historiques American 1921. This finishing technique seamlessly blends all the bridges together via the small etched decorative pattern on them, similar to Côtes de Genève, but much finer and each pattern aligns with the next bridge’s, so looking at it, it looks like they’ve been decorated all as one. However, they are not.
This technique took each artisan over 500 hours, tweaking their approach to ensure those sleek, uninterrupted lines flow seamlessly from bridge to bridge. It’s a very Vacheron Constantin trait: subtle, refined, and the kind of detail you only truly appreciate on a second (or third) look. In addition, each of the movements has a special 270-year emblem etched in gold onto one of the plates, symbolising the Maison’s 270th anniversary and each of the models are limited to 370 pieces worldwide, and individually numbered.
Initial Thoughts
With these Anniversary pieces, I echo my own sentiments I wrote about the Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date models, that is they are a great way for Vacheron Constantin to celebrate its birthday. Vacheron has kept the essence of the Patrimony here, and all the refinements that make it what it is, however, small changes like the anniversary stamp and the côte unique finishing on the movement, not to mention the special guilloche dial make these just that little extra special.
Personally, I find it hard to choose which model I would prefer. The 18k pink gold is subtle and makes a perfect dress watch for special occasions, whereas the white gold, like most white gold watches, is a little stealth-wealth. You only know if you know what this piece is, or if you hold it in your hand. Either way, having one in your collection would not go astray, and I’m sure each of those 370 people who are able to get their hands on each piece will be very happy.
References: 85180/000G-H035 (White Gold) & 85180/000R-H116 (Pink Gold)
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 40mm x 8.65mm thick and ~46mm lug-to-lug
- Case Material: 18k 5N Pink Gold or 18k White gold
- Dial: Silver-toned guilloche dials with Maltese Cross motif at 7:30. Date window at 6 o’clock, 18K gold applied hour-markers and hours/minutes hands
- Movement: In-house Calibre 2450 Q6/270 automatic movement, beating at 4Hz / 28,800 Vph
- Power Reserve: 40hrs
- Water resistance: 30m
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Case back: Sapphire case back with anti-reflective coating
- Strap: Dark green Mississippiensis alligator leather, tone-on-tone stitching, square scales and 18k gold in buckle
