Reviving a name once used for a line of tonneau-shaped women’s watches, Vacheron Constantin has just unveiled the Égérie, now a round watch with an unusually positioned crown.

Translating as “muse”, Égérie is a slightly larger and more casual automatic watch for ladies, setting it apart from Vacheron Constantin’s current offerings for ladies, which are mostly downsized or quartz versions of men’s watches, as well as pricey, high-jewellery timepieces. That also sets it apart from its namesake, introduced in 2003 with a tonneau case, which lasted several years in the catalogue but never quite took off.

Inspired by haute couture according to Vacheron Constantin, the new Égérie line is centred on two models, with either a moon phase or date. Each is offered in pink gold or steel, as well as a fully diamond-set version in white gold, for a total of five models.

Égérie Self-Winding (top row), and Égérie Moonphase

All models share a fully polished case with a diamond-set bezel, with a silver opaline dial featuring an offset sub-dial at two o’clock that sits just beside the crown, topped with a moonstone cabochon.

The dials are decorated with a pleated, radial guilloche done the traditional way, with a hand-operated rose engine. The engine-turning is intersected up by a chapter ring with spherical markings for the minutes and applied gold hour numerals.

Specially designed for the collection, the numerals are a modern take on traditional Breguet numerals and identical to those found on the one-off Les Cabinotiers minute repeater. Made of either pink or white gold to match the case, the numerals are paired with leaf-shaped hands.

Another notable feature of the Égérie is the quick-release strap that has a tab on the back to retract the spring bars, allowing an easy strap swap.

The tab for the quick-release strap

The base model is the Égérie Self-winding that measures a dainty 35 mm in diameter and just 9.32 mm high, due to the compact cal. 1088, a newly developed automatic movement.

A key element of the dial is the ring at two o’clock that’s paved with 26 diamonds and serves as a frame for the arc-shaped date aperture.

Visible though the sapphire back is the cal. 1088, which measures just 20.8 mm wide and 3.8 mm high. It operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and has a relatively short 40-hour power reserve, an inevitability given its small size.

Despite being powered by a near-identical movement, the Égérie Moon Phase is a tad larger at 37 mm wide and 10.08 mm tall, due to the moon phase display positioned right next to the crown. As a result of its position, the gears driving the moon disc are stacked on top of the keyless works for winding and setting.

It shares the same dial design as the self-winding model, with an off-centred ring framing the moon phase display. The moon is rendered in either pink or white gold to match the case, while the cloud motif is made of mother-of-pearl inlay.

The Égérie Moon Phase in white gold with a diamond-set case and dial

The moon phase model is powered by the cal. 1088L, essentially the same calibre as in the base model but with the moon phase display taking the place of the date.

Key facts and price

Vacheron Constantin Égérie Self-winding
Ref. 4605F/110A-B495 (stainless steel)
Ref. 4605F/000R-B496 (pink gold)

Diameter: 35 mm
Height: 9.32 mm
Material: Stainless steel or pink gold
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. 1088
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds; date
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 40 hours

Strap: Bracelet for steel model, alligator strap for gold model
Availability: At retailers and boutiques from March onwards
Price: US$20,200, or 30,300 Singapore dollars (steel); US$28,200, or 42,300 Singapore dollars (pink gold)

Vacheron Constantin Égérie Moon Phase
Ref. 8005F/120A-B497 (stainless steel)
Ref. 8005F/000R-B498 (pink gold)
Ref. 8006F/000G-B499 (diamond pavé white gold)

Diameter: 37 mm
Height: 10.08 mm
Material: Stainless steel or 18k gold
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. 1088L
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds; moon phase
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 40 hours

Strap: Bracelet for steel model, alligator or satin strap for gold model
Availability: At retailers and boutiques from March onwards
Price: US$24,800, or 37,200 Singapore dollars (steel); US$32,700, or 49,100 Singapore dollars (pink gold); US$62,000, or 93,000 Singapore dollars (diamond pavé)

For more information, visit Vacheron-constantin.com.