Various fascinating timepieces are on display, including the original Americaine 1921 and a grande complication pocket watch presented to King Fouad of Egypt. The sheer number of watches and complications explain why VC is traditionally considered one of the ‘big three watchmakers’. In addition there are displays of vintage watchmaking equipment. And during opening there were artisans from Geneva who were on hand to demonstrate crafts like engraving and guillochage. Sadly the artisans were only there for the first few days of the event.

The watches are displayed according to themes, rather than chronologically, which makes it easy to digest the several hundred items on display. I highly recommend this exhibition, not just for VC fans but for anyone with an interest in horology. It is open to the puiblic and non-flash photography is allowed. The team at VC, especially those in Singapore, who have been working on this for some three years, deserve high praise for what they have achieved. A long photo report follows below. – SJX

The National Museum of Singapore

 

The exhibition is in the basement gallery

An original log book from the early days of VC

  

A timepiece from 1755 marked “J:M: Vacheron A GENEVE”

 

A watchmaker demonstrating assembly of a vintage chronograph movement



The Vacheron Constantin logo over the years

 

The seventies weren’t the best years for watch design

 

The Saint Gervais

The immense Tour de L’Ile

An ultra-light 19.6 g pocket watch – case, dial and most of the movement are aluminium

 

The original Americaine 1921

A 1903 pilot’s watch worn on the thigh

A braille watch

A series of case silhouettes used by VC over the years

Various form watches including some remarkably elegant shapes

The workdesk of the engraver

The guillocheur

The outrageous Kallista with 130 carats of diamonds

The enameller

The first book is the book accompanying this exhibition, while the second is a history of VC written by Franco Cologni – both excellent reads for VC fans