Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton
Vacheron Constantin Makes a Statement with Two New Overseas Models and “The Anatomy of Beauty” Short Film
In Los Angeles this past weekend, Vacheron Constantin hosted a beautifully lush and immersive experience to not only showcase the details of its new Overseas models but also to make a statement about natural beauty.
By Jessica “J.J.” Owens
Contributor
When launching new novelties, there are many ways to go about it. But when a brand prides itself on being “One of not many,” standing apart is imperative. Thus, it made perfect sense that Vacheron Constantin unveiled two new skeletonized Overseas models with a press day filled with the minutiae, as the particulars are what makes perfection.
From watchmaking to a short film by Louie Schwartzberg under the stars, Vacheron Constantin’s vision and commitment to its ethos were as clear as the Los Angeles sky.
The Devil’s in The Details
Before the evening’s soiree began, Vacheron Constantin hosted a watchmaking class with Master Watchmaker Morgan Maillard. And as someone who has always had a fascination with the intricacies of movement, I was incredibly excited as this was my first time taking a class. Sadly, to say that I don’t have a future in watchmaking is a vast understatement.
In all seriousness, though, the class made me even more impressed with the process of assembling a watch than I already was. Mainly because of the high degree of difficulty. Simply hearing the numbers of components in the Historiques American 1921 or Overseas is one thing, but seeing it on a watchmaker’s bench and realizing how challenging it is to place one small piece, admiration for the details increases tenfold.
Perpetual Calendars, Tourbillons, and Cocktails
As the sun set, I was whisked into the hills to an estate off Benedict Canyon unlike any other. As someone who thinks Central Park is the epitome of green abundance, this setting was so picturesque, it was almost as though an artist had created it. Vacheron Constantin- themed cocktails were passed along with caviar and crudité, while guests admired the brand’s latest pieces, most notably the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton and the Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton.
Seeing these two pieces in person and recalling the difficulty I had while trying to place even one component during the watchmaking class earlier that day only made my adoration for their craftsmanship stronger. Turning over the pink gold Patrimony I was wearing, I stared at the components through the caseback longer than ever before, as I now have a heightened understanding of all the elements that make up a beautiful piece. Unlike most press events, this experience was nothing less than transformative.
When not focused on the watches, the evening’s surroundings were just as impressive. Encircled by endless trees and greenery, the party was abuzz; and guests like Chris Paul, Kate Mara, and Dakota Johnson only added the night’s effortless yet apparent glamour.
The Anatomy of Beauty by Louie Schwartzberg
On a stage with a backdrop of a movie screen and a whimsical lantern filled lake, Vacheron Constantin’s U.S. President Alexander Schmiedt explained to me the impetus behind “The Anatomy of Beauty” and how that very beauty is the summation of details, whether that be in nature or watchmaking. And with Louie Schwartzberg having worked with the likes of Disney and National Geographic, emphasizing the intricate details in much of his work, it was an ideal partnership between him and the brand.
The short film was a play on the senses, juxtaposing harmonious scenes from nature with overlays of just some of Vacheron Constantin’s most spectacular pieces. That is not to mention that the entire experience featured the estate’s lush grounds as a backdrop, making the short film’s central theme almost tangible to the audience. Until that evening, I had never seen a film that so expertly articulated what a watch brand wanted to put forth to the world.
To discover the latest novelties from Vacheron Constantin, including the Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar and the Overseas Tourbillon, visit the brand’s website.
(Front image: Nicole Richie, Riley Keough, Jamie Mizrahi, and Dakota Johnson attend as Watchmaker Vacheron Constantin celebrates the Anatomy of Beauty on June 15, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Vacheron Constantin)
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