Vacheron Constantin
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| Member of the Richemont Group | |
| Industry | Watch manufacturing |
| Founded | 1755 |
| Founder | Jean-Marc Vacheron, François Constantin |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
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Key people
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Jean-Marc Vacheron and François Constantin, founders |
| Products | Luxury watches |
| Parent | Richemont |
| Website | www |
Vacheron Constantin (French pronunciation: [va.ʃə.rɔ̃ kɔ̃s.tɑ̃.tɛ̃]) is a luxury Swiss manufacture of prestige watches and a brand of the Richemont group. It employs around 1,100 people worldwide, most of whom are based in the manufacturing plants in Geneva and Vallée de Joux. It is an active member of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH.
Past owners of Vacheron Constantin watches include Napoleon Bonaparte, Pope Pius XI, Edward VIII, and Harry Truman.
The company was founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron, an independent watchmaker in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1770, his company created the first complication, and nine years later he designed the first engine-turned dials.
The son of Jean-Marc Vacheron, Abraham, took over the family business in 1785. During this period, the company was able to survive the French Revolution (1789–1799). Later, in 1810, Jacques-Barthélemy Vacheron, the grandson of the founder, became the head of the company. He was the first to initiate the company's exports to France and Italy. Later, Jacques-Barthélemy realized that he was not able to handle his business alone. In order to travel overseas and sell the company's products, he needed a partner. Consequently, in 1819 François Constantin became an associate of Vacheron. The company continued its activity under the name Vacheron & Constantin. François Constantin traveled around the world and marketed watches. Thus he helped the company to open new markets. The main market was North America. The company's motto (which remains today), "Do better if possible and that is always possible," first appeared in Constantin's letter to Jacques-Barthélémy. The letter was dated 5 July 1819.
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Wikipedia