Vacheron Constantin holds an unparalleled distinction: it is the oldest watch manufacturer in continuous operation. Since Jean-Marc Vacheron opened his workshop in Geneva in 1755, the company has never stopped making watches—through revolutions, world wars, and the quartz crisis. This 269-year legacy of unbroken excellence places Vacheron Constantin among the "Holy Trinity" of watchmaking alongside Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet.
Geneva Beginnings (1755)
On September 17, 1755, Jean-Marc Vacheron signed his first apprentice in Geneva, marking the official founding of what would become the world's oldest continuously operating watchmaker. The young craftsman quickly earned a reputation for exceptional quality, creating watches for Geneva's wealthy merchants and European aristocracy.
The business passed through generations of the Vacheron family, each adding to its reputation. By 1770, Vacheron had created its first complication, and by 1790, the company was exporting timepieces across Europe.
François Constantin (1819)
In 1819, businessman François Constantin joined the company, bringing commercial acumen to match its technical excellence. His motto—"Faire mieux si possible, ce qui est toujours possible" (Do better if possible, and that is always possible)—became the company's guiding principle and remains its motto today.
Constantin expanded the company's reach globally, personally traveling to establish markets in Europe and the Americas. The partnership formalized as "Vacheron et Constantin" in 1819, the name it still bears over two centuries later.
The Maltese Cross (1880)
The Maltese Cross became Vacheron Constantin's emblem in 1880, though it had appeared in the company's movements since 1790. The symbol refers to a component in the keyless winding mechanism that resembles the cross of the Knights of Malta. It represents precision, craftsmanship, and the assembled nature of fine watchmaking.
Today, the Maltese Cross appears on every Vacheron Constantin watch—on the crown, the buckle, and as a seal of authenticity.
The Holy Trinity: Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet are collectively known as the "Holy Trinity" of watchmaking—the three Geneva houses that represent the absolute pinnacle of the craft. All three maintain full manufacture status and produce some of the world's most complicated and valuable timepieces.
Technical Mastery
Vacheron Constantin has never shied from complexity. Notable achievements include:
• 1790: First engine-turned dials
• 1884: First calendar watch with jumping numerals
• 1929: Movement with 198 parts in just 3.28mm thickness
• 2015: Reference 57260—the most complicated watch ever made, with 57 complications
The Reference 57260
Commissioned for a private collector in 2015, the Reference 57260 took eight years to develop and contains 57 complications in a pocket watch case. These include a perpetual calendar accurate for 400 years, a Hebrew perpetual calendar, multiple chiming functions, a double retrograde split-seconds chronograph, and astronomical indications. It may be the most complicated timepiece ever created by human hands.
Jean-Marc Vacheron establishes workshop in Geneva
First complicated watch produced
François Constantin joins; company renamed
Maltese Cross officially adopted as emblem
200th anniversary; bicentennial celebrations
Acquired by Richemont Group
Reference 57260 unveiled—57 complications
Today's Collections
Vacheron Constantin organizes its offerings into distinct collections:
• Patrimony: Ultra-thin dress watches embodying Geneva elegance
• Traditionnelle: Classic round watches with traditional complications
• Overseas: The sporty collection with integrated bracelet (VC's Royal Oak competitor)
• Historiques: Reissues and tributes to legendary references
• Métiers d'Art: Artistic crafts including enameling and engraving
• Les Cabinotiers: One-of-a-kind bespoke commissions
Les Cabinotiers
The name "Cabinotiers" refers to the 18th-century Geneva craftsmen who worked in attic workshops ("cabinets") with large windows to maximize natural light. Vacheron Constantin's Les Cabinotiers department continues this tradition, creating unique pieces for individual collectors. These one-of-one commissions can take years to complete and represent the absolute pinnacle of bespoke watchmaking.
The Unbroken Thread
What sets Vacheron Constantin apart is not just age but continuity. While other ancient brands have experienced gaps in production, Vacheron Constantin has made watches without interruption since 1755. Through the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, two World Wars, and the quartz crisis, the Geneva manufacture never stopped. This unbroken thread of craftsmanship—spanning 269 years—is unique in the industry.