An in-house movement for an active lifestyle.
Vacheron Constantin has released a new stainless steel entry-level watch.
Vacheron Constantin Quai de l’Île collection, launched in 2008, welcomes a new stainless steel model, certified by the Hallmark of Geneva.
The name refers to the historical site of Vacheron Constantin. A symbol of Geneva’s watchmaking excellence and home to the famous 19th-century master cabinotiers, this centre of craftsmanship spread the fame of the Manufacture far and wide. Located in the heart of Geneva, this crossing place between the left and right banks of the Rhone has been transformed into a bustling urban hub.
At once sturdy, comfortable and light, stainless steel makes a noteworthy entry into the collection. Enhanced with alternating polished and satin-brushed finishes, the 41mm-diameter case associates three iconic shapes from the aesthetic heritage of Vacheron Constantin: a round bezel, a cushion-type case and a tonneau (barrel) caseband. This harmoniously embedded “shape in shape” design creates an original aesthetic, accentuated by the light playing across the finishes.
This stainless steel exterior houses a state-of-the-art mechanical self-winding movement comprising 172 components. Caliber 5100, entirely designed, developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin, drives the hours, minutes, central seconds and date functions. Steadily beating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and designed for an active lifestyle, this movement features excellent resistance to impacts as well as a comfortable over 60-hour power reserve guaranteed by its twin barrels.
The oscillating weight is made of tungsten, a material rarely used in watchmaking and which ensures improved inertia of the rotor along with optimal winding performance due to its hardness and its weight. Visible through the sapphire crystal case- back, it is distinguished by its modern Quai de l’Île decor adorned with five raised decorative fillets.
The particularly meticulous finishing of Caliber 5100 – chamfering, polishing, circular graining, Côtes de Genève – meets the demanding Hallmark of Geneva standards. Designed to achieve the best possible results in terms of both reliability and aesthetics, these hand-crafted finishes entail an up to 40% longer production time compared with a non-certified movement.
The dial of the new stainless steel Quai de l’Île watch model is distinguished by a multi-level construction interpreted in two versions – silver-toned or black – with an opaline finish. Composed of three distinct parts, this display with its innovative depth effects ensures remarkable legibility thanks to its hour- markers and Arabic numerals entirely made of white luminescent material. Another distinctive feature is the
replacement of the traditional aperture- type date by a two-level date indication. The dial construction includes a transparent mineral glass disc on which the dates of the month are inked. Beneath this glass, the date disc of Caliber 5100 appears and displays an indicator which points towards the correct date.
This new stainless steel Quai de l’Île timepiece, water-resistant to 30 metres, is delivered with two straps – one in brown alligator leather and the other in black rubber – with a steel folding clasp.
