Vacheron Constantin has just revealed a new limited-edition Patrimony watch priced at INR 29.80 lakh ($35,500), and with only 100 available, it’s bound to be in high demand.
To mark the 20th anniversary of its Patrimony collection, the brand teamed up with French designer Ora Ïto, known for his work in furniture and industrial design, to offer a fresh take on the classic. Ïto follows a philosophy he calls “Simplexity”—creating designs that look simple yet cleverly hide complexity. That thinking fits perfectly with watchmaking, and this 40 mm 18-karat yellow gold Patrimony watch really brings that concept to life.
The face of the watch may look simple, but underneath, it holds the intricate craftsmanship Vacheron has honed over its 269-year history. The golden dial features a clean design with concentric circles, which, according to Ïto—an astronomy buff—were inspired by Baily’s Beads, the rings of light seen during a solar eclipse. Add to that the pearls on the minutes track, the applied hour markers and the gently curved hands, and you get a subtle, vintage look that’s sure to attract Vacheron fans.
While it might appear effortless, the slightly curved dial requires precise stamping, accurate down to the nearest micron. Each curved hand, hour marker and pearl minute is retouched by hand. The burgundy calfskin strap, with its raised rectangular details, adds a touch, while the burgundy date window ties it all together.
Inside the watch is Vacheron Constantin’s in-house self-winding Caliber 2450, which is finished with circular graining on the mainplate, Côte de Genève on the bridges and an intricate gold oscillating weight featuring the brand’s Maltese Cross. Even though the movement is only 3.60 mm thick, it helps keep the entire watch case slim at just 8.55 mm—staying true to Vacheron’s long-standing reputation for crafting ultra-thin watches. Their Caliber 1003, released back in 1955, set a record for being the world’s thinnest movement at just 1.64 mm thick.
With design-driven watches that offer a touch of vintage flair gaining serious traction among collectors—many of whom are tired of the constant buzz around steel sports watches. And with only 100 pieces available, it becomes even more tempting for those who know what they’re after.
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