Happenings The New Vacheron Constantin Flagship Is A Sight To Behold

Over the past 15 months, many of us have barely left the couch – much less the house. But while we’ve been shut inside, the illustrious Swiss brand Vacheron Constantin has been renovating a space on 57th Street in New York City to house its North American flagship. The boutique is now open. And after visiting last week for a sneak preview, we can testify that it’s absolutely worth spending a day out of your pajamas to see this place in person.

The space is simply stunning. It echoes the minimalism and glass openness of Vacheron’s manufacture in Geneva, designed by Bernard Tschumi, but with its own Art-Deco touch. When you walk in, you’re greeted by a large-scale gold cityscape, an art installation inspired by Chris Burden’s kinetic sculpture, “Metropolis II.” Miniature cars zoom in and out of miniature skyscrapers, powered by motion sensors that set the cars off when you step in, with tracks found throughout the store. A large light fixture floats over the foyer in the shape of Vacheron’s emblem, the Maltese Cross. Leave your friends at the front door and they’ll be totally fine.

You, the enthusiast, may step further into the store and bee-line to the American 1921 Pièce Unique re-creation timepiece, located in the library area and just as beautiful in the metal as you expect. The Pièce Unique 1921 is made using techniques from the 1920s, and a few months ago, our own Jack Forster guided us through the significance of such a feat. “It certainly doesn't represent the cutting edge of state-of-the-art modern horology,” Jack said, as only he can. “But to understand just how the craftsmen-scientists of an earlier era managed to produce a portable, high-precision timekeeper using largely hand-tools and hand techniques is to better appreciate how far watchmaking has come today – and to better appreciate, as well, just what the often-used term ‘handmade’ really means.”

If you’re not as up on your Vacheron history as you’d like to be, there’s a very cool interactive history installation developed in partnership with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). You can speed through the history of Vacheron and the U.S., pulling up letters, renderings, and factoids.

There’s also a brilliant blue wall which, abusing my early access, I touched. It is a hand-painted straw marquetry with the Maltese Cross motif subtly repeated in gold accents, breaking up the warm color scheme with a shocking hint of cool color. Sprinkled among the display cases are small exhibition windows highlighting elements that are essential to finishing the timepieces – history, mechanics, and aesthetics carry equal weight.

Upstairs, you’ll find a custom strap bar. Abstract art of the color options and threads hang above stations where you can choose the strap materials of your dreams. If you wish to emboss, you may emboss.

You will also find watches for sale. All of the pieces from the breadth of Vacheron’s offerings will be available for purchase, from the Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date to the Égérie Moon Phase, as well as a curated collection of vintage Vacheron Constantin watches from the 20th century, known as “Les Collectionneurs.”

Like a state fair or a diner menu, the new flagship has something for everyone, from seasoned watch enthusiasts to architecture fans to kids who just want to look at toy cars. Vacheron and New York City have shared a special connection since 1831, and with this store, it's a sign of many more years to come. The shop is open by appointment beginning today, with a grand opening in September.

Shop Talk

The HODINKEE Shop is an Authorized Retailer of Vacheron Constantin watches; explore our collection right here.