Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026 – Les Collectionneurs
The Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026 is currently available for sale at the brand’s boutique at 37 Old Bond Street, London. It joins several other Les Collectionneurs models that are on display from 7.6.2021 – 8.8.2021. Angus Davies recently visited the boutique to view this rare watch at close quarters.
Vacheron Constantin depuis 1755
Vacheron Constantin was founded in 1755, a remarkable 266 years ago. A function of being the ‘world’s oldest watch Manufacture in continuous production’ is that it endows the firm with an incredible history few other companies can rival. For example, in July 1955, the ‘Big Four’ convened in Geneva. While the players had changed since the Yalta Conference of 1945, the four teams of America, Britain, France and Russia remained the same. Various leading figures gifted the assembled heads of state and their ministers with Vacheron Constantin watches, seven in total. The proud recipients of these watches were Dwight D. Eisenhowser, Anthony Eden, Harold MacMillan, Edgar Faure, Antoine Pinnay, Nikolai Bulganin and Vyacheslav Molotov. In the same year, several world leaders visited the company’s boutique, a fact validated by numerous signatures in the visitors’ book. Put simply, the Maison has often witnessed history first-hand.
Vacheron Constantin Cornes de vache (1955)
Also in 1955, Vacheron Constantin celebrated its bicentenary. The luxury marque was certainly prolific at this time, releasing its ‘Aronde’ wristwatch and the drop-dead gorgeous ‘Cornes de vache’ model with its distinctive ‘cow horn’ lugs. However, recently, I discovered another rare chronograph from 1955, the Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026. This watch, part of the Les Collectionneurs, is on display at the firm’s London boutique (7.6.2021 – 8.8.2021).
Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026 – dial
The dial of the Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026 is presented in two-tone silver. Gold baton hour and minute hands converse with a combination of Arabic numerals, positioned at 6 o’clock and noon, as well as simple, unfussy baton-shaped markers.
Two counters, a 30-minute register and a small seconds display, are positioned at 3 and 9 o’clock, supplanting any hour markers. Both counters feature a chemin de fer and a blued hand. The central chronograph seconds hand is also thermally blued. Beyond the hour track, the dial is framed with a 60-second track, a telemeter scale and a tachymeter scale. Everything is clean and crisp.
The condition of the watch is superb, belying the fact that it is 66 years old.
Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026 – case
Measuring 36.5 mm in diameter, the Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026 is comparatively small by modern-day standards. While this may prove off-putting to those clients more accustomed to larger wristwatches, its slightly diminutive scale will endear it to many watch aficionados. Indeed, when my host proffered the watch to his wrist, it looked perfectly at home and notably elegant.
The case, formed of 18-carat yellow gold, is presented in superb condition. Unlike the ‘Cornes de vache’, the lugs are angular and more conventional in appearance. The screwed caseback is solid, as was the norm for the time, and the watch comes supplied with a new strap paired with a pin buckle.
Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026 – movement
Today, Vacheron Constantin is a Manufacture, making its own movements to a very refined standard. However, when the Reference 6026 was made in 1955, Vacheron Constantin, along with many of its competitors, employed the établissage approach to watchmaking. This would entail the Maison procuring ébauches from specialist firms.
An ébauche, or blanc roulant, is an unfinished movement, supplied with or without jewels, but always delivered without the regulating organ, mainspring, dial and hands. In the case of the Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026, the model is equipped with the Calibre 492, a hand-wound movement based on a Valjoux 23 calibre.
One of the charming aspects of movements created in this era is that they eschewed the oversized bridges that are widely used today. Instead, the minimal bridges, typical of watches from this period, revealed the wheels, springs, cocks, etc, albeit they were all hidden behind a solid caseback. Although there is perhaps a sense of frustration that this watch’s inner beauty will remain forever hidden from view, it would be sacrilege for this reference to be retrofitted with an exhibition caseback. Indeed, originality is the order of the day.
The movement is fitted with a column-wheel delivering a silky smooth pushpiece action. The rate is adjusted with an index-regulator which alters the effective length of the hairspring, making the watch run faster or slower. Upholding fine watchmaking practise, the Calibre 492 features an overcoil, causing the hairspring to breathe more concentrically, improving isochronism and, thereby, augmenting precision.
The movement features 19 jewels and will run autonomously for 40 hours once fully wound.
Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026 – closing thoughts
In law, the term ‘caveat emptor’ means ‘let the buyer beware’. The danger of purchasing a vintage watch is that the unwary can easily purchase a stolen, counterfeit or hybrid watch. Indeed, there have been many instances of individuals purchasing a ‘Frankenwatch’, a melange of parts from several timepieces.
However, rest assured, a Vacheron Constantin Les Collectionneurs piece has been procured by the Maison, sympathetically restored and serviced. It is supplied with digital certification of authenticity using Blockchain technology. In terms of provenance, Vacheron Constantin offers unparalleled peace of mind.
With regard to the Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026 and, in particular, this example, it is wonderful. Indeed, it would be a steely heart that didn’t fall for the charms of this delightful watch. The aforementioned example looks particularly honest with a welcome absence of excessive make-up, just a beautiful unadulterated face and torso.
Vacheron Contantin only produced the Reference 6026 for one year. It was made in yellow gold and pink gold, albeit the latter variant was far more rare. Indeed, the pink gold version was limited to just six examples. However, do not misconstrue, there were only about 30 examples of the Reference 6026 ever produced.
Unlike Dwight D. Eisenhowser, Anthony Eden et al, you will have to pay for your little piece of history, but at least you can do so safe in the knowledge you have a remarkable and genuine paragon of fine watchmaking.
Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026 – the brand’s press release
Chosen with patience and talent by the Maison’s heritage department specialists, vintage watches covering the 20th century are now part of the aptly named “Les Collectionneurs” collection. The latter continues to evolve over time and is regularly offered for sale to brand aficionados at dedicated events organised in Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world. “Les Collectionneurs” models all come with a digital certification of authenticity with Blockchain technology and a two-year guarantee – an offer unmatched in the watchmaking world.
When vintage is second nature
The notion of vintage is second nature to Vacheron Constantin. It is expressed through a strong attachment to everything relating to its heritage. In more than 265 years of existence, the Maison has accumulated a unique set of archives in the field of time measurement. Engaged in uninterrupted production since its origins, the Manufacture is also able to take care of – and restore if necessary – any timepiece from its workshops, whatever its age. A closer look at its archives and its private collection of more than 1,500 timepieces offers an excellent insight into this historical depth and the means used to nurture it. From the watchmakers and craftspeople of its restoration workshop to the historians of the Style & Heritage team, the experts at Vacheron Constantin possess all the necessary skills to best honour this vintage watchmaking service that now enjoys such an excellent reputation.
“Les Collectionneurs”
Vacheron Constantin wanted to unite connoisseurs and aficionados of the Maison around their passion for vintage timepieces, leading to the creation of “Les Collectionneurs”: an approach consisting in using the Manufacture’s considerable resources to gather and restore a series of historical Vacheron Constantin pieces, subsequently offered for sale at dedicated events in Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world.
“Les Collectionneurs” represents another facet of Vacheron Constantin,” comments Christian Selmoni, Style & Heritage Director. “The collection perpetuates this precious link between past and present, enabling our clientele of connoisseurs and collectors to acquire restored vintage pieces directly through the Maison, which is a real guarantee. As for the events organised around the world to unveil these pieces, they attract both seasoned collectors and young generations eager to delve more deeply into watchmaking history.”
Watches ready for a new life
The Vacheron Constantin Heritage team works to bring together these vintage watches, whether pocket or wristwatches. The objective is to create a representative range of timepieces offered by Vacheron Constantin over the years. All kinds of channels are used in order to locate them: auction rooms, personal contacts with private individuals – bearing in mind that an expert eye is decisive in the choice of these timepieces, be they simple or striking models, calendars or chronographs… Pocket watches mainly covering the years 1910 to 1930 and wristwatches prior to 1970 – with a preference for the period from 1940 to 1960 – are then subjected to a dual appraisal. First of all, a historical evaluation is undertaken in order to authenticate the piece with reference to the in-house archives, which have been listing cases and movements by serial number for a century and a half. Then comes the technical assessment aimed at determining which interventions may be necessary, from simply cleaning the timepiece, to its restoration – the objective being to preserve these timepieces in a state as close as possible to that of their origins. If necessary, they are restored to working order using period components, of which Vacheron Constantin maintains a large stock, or else reproduced the old-fashioned way and in identical form within the Manufacture. Once the process is complete, each timepiece is accompanied by a digital certificate of authenticity and a two-year guarantee, the latter being the same as that delivered with all models within the Maison’s standard collections.
Models unveiled at dedicated events
Throughout the year, Vacheron Constantin organises special events or exhibitions of historical models from its private collection in its boutiques. These are all special experiences that give connoisseurs an opportunity to discover this “Les Collectionneurs” collection; and Vacheron Constantin’s experts a chance to share the history related to the “experience” of these models. Thanks to its extremely well documented archives, the Maison can retrace the destiny of these timepieces that have survived through the ages as testimony to their time and to its watchmaking expertise. Rare and doubtless unique for those who cherish them, these Vacheron Constantin timepieces bearing the patina of age as a badge of honour are thus ready for a new life.
Watches highlight
18K yellow gold minute-repeater gentleman’s wristwatch (Inv. ref 11761) – 1951
Tear-drop lugs soldered to the middle. Silvered dial, circular guilloché hour-circle, 4/4 Roman numerals and 8 lapidated and pointed indexes, external pearled minute-circle. Yellow gold pointed baton hands.
An exception grand complication, the reference 4261 combines an impressive thinness and superb aesthetics.
The minute repeater mechanism was the third type of complication to be miniaturised enough to fit into the space of a wristwatch after the calendar and the chronograph mechanisms. It has been developed around 1930.
The model 4261 was the first ultra-thin minute repeater produced by Vacheron Constantin. When it was launched in 1943 it was considered as one of the thinnest minute repeaters ever made. Less than 40 pieces were produced between 1944-1951, in yellow gold, pink gold and platinum. This watch is one of the last pieces produced.
The reference 4261 is most probably the most sought-after Vacheron Constantin timepieces, from the collector’s perspective.
Watches highlight
18K yellow gold open-face worldtime pocket watch (Inv. Ref 10394) – 1949
Silvered dial made in 3 parts. 24 hours disk divided in two zones, dark blue zone for the night hours and silvered for the daylight hours. external fixed disk graduated with the name of 41 cities and places
In 1932 the Vacheron Constantin first World Time pocket watch displays the Cottier system capable of displaying the 24 time zones on the same dial, rotating with the movement. The Maison assigns model ref 3372 to this brand new watch. Watches indicating 24 time-zones were progressively named “Universal time, “international time” (ref. Vacheron Constantin archives) and then “World time” for most contemporary watches. In 1936 seeking to show that the complication was worth perfecting. Vacheron Constantin presented two new version of its international time model whose featured 31 international cities for reference 3650. In 1946 Vacheron Constantin assigned reference 4414 to the world time model with a dial comprising 41 cities. This reference was ordered by famous watches collectors as well as the Agnelli family in 1941. King Farouk of Egypt in 1946 or 52nd United States secretary of States John Foster Dulles who received a world time 4414 model from dramatist and diplomat Mrs Clare Booth Luce in 1955.
Vacheron Constantin Worldtime watches are not indexed on political/state time zones but under the Meridian for each of 24 time zones (a kind of geographic hour). Following this concept, each time zone is spaced by 15° longitude.
Summary
In 2019, Vacheron Constantin was among the first watchmakers to integrate Blockchain technology as part of an innovative service to clients and an increasingly environmentally friendly approach to certification involving less paper. The watches in Les Collectionneurs collection are thus accompanied by a digital certificate of authenticity that is perfectly forgery-proof. The success of the first test phase has prompted the Maison to extend this certification to all its timepieces. Vacheron Constantin customers will also be able to register and authenticate their timepieces throughout their lifetime via their very own dedicated platform: The Hour Club.
“Ever at the service of clients, Vacheron Constantin has always evolved with the times to meet client expectations. As one of the first watchmakers to ever pilot a digital certificate based upon Blockchain technology, in May 2019, the next step for our Maison is to extend the digital certification to all of our collections. We are happy to foster the creation of an open innovation ecosystem around blockchain for luxury”, says Louis Ferla, Vacheron Constantin CEO. “Digital identities will transform the way one owns valuable assets, enabling owners to track the product lifecycle, share or prove ownership, and benefit from tailored services attached to each timepiece. On top of proof of ownership, our clients will benefit from Blockchain’s ability to store all information about a timepiece, including technical information, user guides, certifications, and product history. Our clients will benefit from a new galaxy of services, such as seamless resell on Watchfinder and online repair requests”.
Further reading
https://www.vacheron-constantin.com
Technical specifications
- Model: Vacheron Constantin Reference 6026 – Les Collectionneurs
- Case: 18-carat yellow gold; diameter 36.5 mm; solid caseback.
- Functions: Hour; minutes; small seconds; chronograph
- Movement: Calibre 492; hand-wound column-wheel movement; 19 jewels; power reserve = 40 hours
- Bracelet: Brown leather strap paired with a gold pin buckle.
- Price: £55,000 including VAT (RRP as of 27.5.2021)