Vacheron Constantin - The world’s thinnest mechanical movements

The ultra-thin

 
Rating: 66 %1000 with 187 votes
Published by 3809 on November 19th, 2009 at 11:50 a.m..

The world’s thinnest mechanical movements are developed in Vacheron Constantin’s historical L’Ile premises.

Within this impressive legacy, one particular hand-wound movement continues to attract the attention of specialists and collectors. Work on its development began in 1952 in L’Ile (the building on the Rhone River ‘island’ that has housed Vacheron Constantin’s historical premises since 1875) and it was presented for the brand bicentenary celebrations in 1955 under the name Calibre 1003 considered as the most beautiful at this time.

Its 9-lignes or 21.05 mm diameter and 1.64 mm thickness have made it the world’s smallest mechanical manual-winding movement on the market. By way of comparison, this micromechanical masterpiece composed of 120 parts is about the size of a small Swiss 20-centime coin.

This now legendary calibre (of which the excellence was to be confirmed by the subsequent orders placed by other great names in fine watchmaking) was used to equip three round watches that set a new record as the world’s thinnest watches measuring just 4.54 mm thick. These three timepieces have forever imprinted on people’s minds the image of the archetypal Vacheron Constantin watch: round, classic, ultra-thin and extremely reliable.

In 2010, Vacheron Constantin has chosen to pay tribute to this legendary calibre by housing it within a reinterpretation of one of those three watches: the “Historique Ultra-fine 1955”, currently the world’s thinnest hand-wound watch measuring just 4.10 mm thick to date.

The development of Calibre 1120 began in 1966 and production began at the end of 1967. It too attracted the notice of specialists and collectors and was ordered by other great names in fine watchmaking. In 2010, Vacheron Constantin has also chosen to pay tribute to this equally legendary calibre by housing it within a reinterpretation of the vintage ultra-thin watches: the model now called “Historique Ultra-fine 1968”.

These two timepieces will find their natural place within the “Historiques” collection, specifically created to bring back to life the various designs and movements that have shaped the finest hours of Vacheron Constantin.

A collection composed of watches intended for watchmaking collectors, connoisseurs and devotees, for those with a taste for discreet and elegant models, as well as purists. It features models such as the Chronomètre Royal 1907 presented in 2007 to mark the 100th anniversary of the original, and the amazingly daring Historique American 1921 model reinterpreted in 2008 and which was named “Watch of the Year” in October 2009 in Geneva.

 
Simply copy this code and paste it on your forum or blog to make a link to this content

Similar to Vacheron Constantin heritage

Vacheron Constatin The Métiers d’Art “Les Dragons”

The Métiers d’Art Limited edition of 9 numbered pieces

 
Vacheron Constantin Ultra-fine 1955

Vacheron Constantin “Historiques” collection

 
Vacheron Constantin Ultra-fine 1968

Vacheron Constantin “Historiques” collection

 
 

Also from Vacheron Constantin

Patrimony contemporaine pocket 82028/000R-9708

Vacheron Constantin is preserving the finest elements of horology down through changing eras

 
Vacheron Constantin and the Opéra National de Paris

Vacheron Constantin celebrate Béjart and the Opéra National de Paris at the Opéra Bastille

 
Vacheron Constantin Overseas 2010

For the spring of 2010, Overseas is sportier and more travel-friendly than ever

 
PLATINUM MALTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR

PLATINUM MALTE PERPETUAL CALENDAR by VACHERON CONSTANTIN

 
Vacheron Constantin Boutiques

Complete list of authorized Vacheron Constantin retailers

 
Art of the Dance in the Collection Métiers d’Art

A series of exceptional timepieces unveiled on the occasion of the tricentenary of the École Française de Danse pays eloquent tribute to art and culture

 
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Chronograph 2009

New Patrimony Traditionnelle Chronograph

 
Vacheron Constantin 2009

The New Patrimony Models: Consummate Purity and Elegance

 
PATRIMONY CONTEMPORAINE

PATRIMONY CONTEMPORAINE by VACHERON CONSTANTIN

 
The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac

Introducing a new opus in the saga of the Métiers d'Art collection, Vacheron Constantin presents The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac