This year’s must-see shows range from a Nordic Pavilion exploring transgender spaces to a compelling Lebanese project confronting the realities of ecocide Frieze returns to The Shed in May with more than 65 of the world’s leading contemporary art galleries and the acclaimed Focus section led by Lumi Tan On the occasion of the artist’s show at Artists Space they speak about accessibility in the built environment and the ‘extra-visual’ Constantina Zavitsanos’s forthcoming solo exhibition ‘fwiw’ opens in September at Artists Space in New York City In this conversation Zavitsanos discusses their work through which they explore the extra-visual Sadia Shirazi You’ve been playing with text a lot in your recent work from overlapping open captions or crossing texts captions and infrasonic sound in the new sculptural works There’s something happening here [2024] and Wishing Well [2024] for your upcoming show at Artists Space as an acronym that people use with each other in text messages Constantina Zavitsanos ‘For what it’s worth’ is a phrase people use in many ways At times it can mean something akin to ‘here are my two cents worth’ especially when the unsolicited offering is tangential or apparently inconsequential At other times it’s used as a rejoinder that implies something is missing from the first statement the addition is not insignificant but paramount I love its colloquial ambiguity; it can elaborate Or it can be made outside of any interpellation altogether I’m personally drawn to the ‘two cents’ usage - both for its conversational feel It’s an offering that can be both inconsequential and invaluable In my upcoming show I’m thinking through matters like how wishes are invaluable despite the value of the coins you make them on; how images can be what I call ‘extra-visual’; how image can be fleeting not just fixed; and how imaging systems may blur sculpture and performance.  I’m working with the Buffalo Springfield song ‘For What It’s Worth’ [1966] and several of its interpolations which features Stephen Stills of the former band especially those with differing tempos and lyrics I’m also thinking through how to caption overlapping sound Captions need to fit the sound they transcribe or describe We think we look to song lyrics for meaning The songs that we cherish most are saying something that feels clear to us The lyrics to ‘For What It’s Worth’ literally state that ‘there’s something happening here’ but ‘what it is ain’t exactly clear’ There’s more clarity in the open affective power of being unclear Captioning has historically focused on notions of clarity but – among other issues of what clarity even means – this often doesn’t convey the aesthetic feel of sound My work considers the one- and two-line traditional form of captions as line breaks I slow the sound to meet the captions in order to privilege reading I’m thinking about how the speed of some lyrics can be rendered as a flash such that you can only read a fragment of text but you experience the time and flow of the song more acutely and their samples are even shorter; these will be looped they can catch them in the repetition on the next round This show problematizes notions of capture There are inaudible frequencies in There’s something happening here [2024] and both audible and inaudible ones in Wishing Well [2024] that will be felt as vibration – similar to my works Call to Post [2019] and All the Time [2019] The captions for There’s something happening here and Wishing Well are on separate walls but meet at a corner such that at times the text from one will bleed into the other SS I recall the red colour that permeated your exhibition ‘L&D Motel’ at Participant Inc and the purple from Call to Post [Violet] [2019] You’re also thinking about colour in relation to both blind and sighted people What will be the dominant colour in your show at Artist Space It’s a specific frequency range at one end of the visible light spectrum Infrared is what is just below red on the larger electromagnetic spectrum falling outside of the visible light spectrum portion and it’s not called a colour because sighted people can’t see it At the other end of the visible light spectrum are the blue frequencies colour – and frequencies deemed beyond colour – are very material invisible or imaged outside of current notions of sight I chose red because it is at one end of the threshold of visible light and I also welcomed the association with the lights of clubs and motels But the material concept was about the threshold for vision I went to the other end of the spectrum with violet because the other piece which had had a red laser that lit the entire show I love purple because it doesn’t have a frequency on the spectrum – unless you call it ‘violet’ of course It’s an experience – of perceiving red and blue simultaneously – but there’s no spectral purple halfway between red and blue on the visible light spectrum I wonder if the linear light spectrum has a back SS Purple like our astrological brother Prince Your work also engages with architecture and the built environment in interesting ways It seems to me to do the opposite of an architecture that disables You’re both challenging debates around art architecture and sculpture and modernist architecture’s functionalist relationship with ornament The relationships you create between infrastructure and support seem to manifest as forms of radical accessibility that never centre one figure or figuration Could you talk a little bit more about these concepts in relation to ‘fwiw’ CZ Artists Space’s main entrance on Cortland Alley has internal stairs but there’s a separate freight elevator entrance there for loading and a lift for the stairs at the White Street entrance Looking through old Google Maps images of the space from 2014 I noticed that the steps on White Street weren’t there I know part of this is an access need for ambulatory people to be able to more easily enter spaces and to do so in the smallest footprint possible The extant neo-Greco columns of the building seem to be functional in terms of support but they are certainly an aesthetic choice too given their elaborate capitals I’m thinking about how function is aesthetic I designed and 3D-drew a platform build in order to install an artwork in the floor of the gallery rather than on it thinking through the figuration and horizontality of a floor on a floor and how big a sculptural installation can be while going largely unseen because it is perceived as architectural and infrastructural Alongside this massive volume that isn’t so figured I’m considering sound-image in and beyond the visible as ramps work for more people than stairs do So often we must live in a world built against us; it’s nice to get to make a little space with others Constantina Zavitsanos’s ‘fwiw’ is on view at Artists Space open water (Korpí natural mineral spring water distilled water and sourced mineral specimens) a modular structure set in the floor hosts open water that shows several distinct ripple patterns in motion on its surface Sadia Shirazi is a writer and curator based between London and New York Constantina Zavitsanos is a conceptual artist who works in sculpture The Finnish artist has a mysterious new interactive performance at Frieze New York co-commissioned by High Line Art Senior Director Laura Attanasio discusses the mega gallery’s newest location the artist joins Hannah Black to discuss distrusting circles inviting chance and the impossibility of repetition  How the artist integrates nature into her creative process letting her surroundings shape and co-create her canvases abstraction and how art becomes a language of survival In a moment of political pressure and shrinking public funding interim director Jed Morse discusses the museum’s mission Resident Rosanna Dean on why Hackney Council should do more to support the arts Artist director Felix Hoffmann on iconic images populism and challenging conservative tastes campaigner and crossbench peer Beeban Kidron says it risks damaging the rights of artists by handing their work to AI companies The celebrated British author on why her new work of non-fiction The Indonesian artist reimagines inherited mythologies in her new beaded cow hide paintings for Frieze New York The ‘Open Call’ commissioning programme at Frieze’s New York home allows early career artists to work on a grand scale A frank and fictional interview with the Upper East Side style icon ‘emotional terror’ and made-up Alexis Bittar muse © FRIEZE 2025 Cookie Settings | Do Not Sell My Personal Information MICHAEL EBY is a writer and researcher on contemporary art and digital culture. He currently lives in London. Home Graduating from the Patriarchal School in 1966 In 1969 he was ordained Deacon and Priest in 1970 He received the title of Archimandrite in 1973 He is a graduate of the School of Philosophy and Theology of the University of Athens He served as Principal of the Patriarchal School from 1975 to 1988 In 1988 he was appointed as Chief Editor of the “New Sion” journal In 1990 he was appointed as Elder Kamarasis and Director of the Private Office of His Beatitude as well as His Counsel In 1991 he was appointed as Member of the Holy and Sacred Synod and in 1992 as a Librarian In October 1998 he was elected and ordained Bishop of Constantina In 2000 he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop of Constantina In 2001 he took over the management of Patriarchal Offices as Secretary General He accompanied Patriarch Diodoros in his official visits to Bulgaria In 2005 he was named Elder Secretary General In 2009 he was appointed manager of the news reports of the Official Website of the Patriarchate In 2018 he was appointed as General Patriarchal Commissioner Copyright of website material is allowed provided the reference source is mentioned: Jerusalem Patriarchate – Website - www.jerusalem-patriarchate.info We use cookies to personalize content and ads and to analyze our traffic and improve our service As part of Constantina Zavitsanos’s All the Time (2019) “Love’s holographic” is one of the captions for an audio composition that reverberates through a large wooden ramp nearby For love to be holographic means that it doesn’t accede to the economic principle of scarcity It doesn’t deplete when you divide it—it multiplies This is Zavitsanos’s signature: a scientific material property is a metonym for a poetic Zavitsanos reworks the palettes of minimalism and conceptualism toward social concerns including debt Their attitude is critical precisely because it is reverential Zavitsanos is part of a new generation of conceptualists whose work points outward and who diagram its emergence from a web of tensile An autobiographical dimension distinguishes Zavitsanos’s approach A piece will originate from a teenage sexual awakening in a seedy motel memories of growing up around casual gamblers or the frustration of having to hold their pee while out and about in the city in a wheelchair Zavitsanos only hints at such impressions because they are not concerned with expressing a particular subject position in their work they deploy the discursive and material accouterments of access and debility Vijay Masharani How has the work that you have on view in the Whitney Biennial changed in the interval between when you first exhibited it in 2019 at PARTICIPANT INC Constantina Zavitsanos The first iteration of Call to Post was in my solo show It was saturated in red light because the holograms in another work Boxed Bet demonstrated this material property: that you can cut a hologram’s substrate and still retain the whole image in each part The entire show was made of long light and low sound which are wave frequencies at the thresholds of human perceptions of seeing and hearing Red light waves are stretched out and moving away from us in space-time red was also an associative call to the site’s former iteration as a sex club I went to the blue-violet end of the spectrum because red didn’t make sense without Boxed Bet but I retained the material concept of the threshold for “visible” light I crossed a threshold from “moderately” to “severely” immunocompromised I was thinking about ways to gather and feel things through one another I’ve got to consider physicality and virtuality it wouldn’t be with Jerron Herman dancing the captions everyone lounging together and listening to our favorite songs stripped down to their lowest-end vibes so I made a point of messing with the gel frequencies and opacities in ways that a lens might find surprising the waves move through you and anybody else there too; but whether you’re touching or not The sound frequencies run the same every time but the space itself materially changes the feel since the ramp becomes a speaker box in situ—and it can really kick The soundscape patterning draws on sonic memories of a roadside motel: knocks on the door But the actual sound itself is just my speech modulated with infrasonics The sequencing was made to emulate the cycles of a Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed I edited the score wearing a haptic vest: friends laid on the ramp with me and I responded to the inaudible sound waves by feeling their vibrations VM People often read your work as metonyms Quantum entanglement stands for human interdependence You’ve also emphasized literality and specificity in your work and It Was What I Wanted Now (2015) is real debt What does it mean for you to insist on the literal especially its tethering to disability history Vagrancy laws; Black Codes; performance as the appearance You get this range of disability-coded social practices: street hustle And they all share a relationship to scientific proof insofar as they are acts of demonstration I’ve limited my palette deliberately to make it demonstrative It has a relationship with proof and evidence: you’re not going to believe me if I tell you this The conflation of showing with belief—“seeing is believing”—equates knowledge with the ocular a pre-Socratic idea of song and experiential engagement that’s done collectively while traveling in study I use materials often thought of as “immaterial.” So it might appear that the materiality of stacked debt or loaded Visa cards is somehow more literal than wave frequency But when I said earlier that looking at red is looking into the past Red’s not just referencing the past; it’s literally the past icons; it’s just that some things are more metonymic than metaphoric VM I see you as retooling the strategies of minimalism and conceptualism to advance new discussions of disability It seems like you’re both a student and a radicalizer of these traditions CZ Most artists reference art history; our work so often gets read with or against it It’s like asking a poker player if they have aces Pocket tens are only tens because of those aces I retool a few swords to plowshares or pay homage to minimalism by getting a little more specific with some objects and the systems of their making There’s a way that sculptors can make moves within a context or substrate without disturbing it The frame and field in which they work go unsettled and all surrounding nomenclature remains intact as does the social grid that produced them there’s another approach to sculpture that seeks to expand the frame of reference Artists like Cameron Rowland and Park McArthur are expanding the frame of art history by messing with the context itself as a material Artists are refusing the field they inherited as a given and situating it within a larger one Gone are the days of Gordon Matta-Clark’s Splitting when we could reference architecture or Anarchitecture and only see an abandoned house as material for art rather than acknowledging a system that forecloses on people’s lives as a larger sculptural move in the ideology of development It’s not a critique of the greats; it’s just a matter of where and when we are in space-time which I think is still a question for sculpture VM The score has been a recurring format for you for some time CZ I love the score’s connotations: it brings to mind musical instrumentation But it also resembles the spell and the recipe This comes from the zero-dimensionality of the score and its ability to be collapsed and unfolded which affords degrees of freedom but also returns us reliably to the grammar and glamor of words Marcel Duchamp’s Box in a Valise is a score for an artist’s portfolio The scores with Park McArthur first came from being in a care collective We were hanging out alongside a routine of nightly care and crip performance art has this cool transgression and abjection to it but we were doing banal things and thinking through endurance-based tasks We didn’t get why the performance of everyday life—in terms of disabled life—wasn’t considered choreographic when everything we do is such a dance schedule a work order for the freight elevator and meet in the hallway because the office has stairs “How do we do this; how do we want to do it?” and figuring things out We wrote to each other and as each other and blurred positions of giver and receiver because these acts called “self-care” weren’t actually between two people they’re like a setlist that we’re going to play tonight Event Scores by George Brecht was important because of its directive that just says “Exit.” We thought about impossibility when Yoko Ono said “Drill a hole in the sky.” Some of our scores are simply directives but everything we were thinking about was practical nuts-and-bolts necessity We’re artists; we were trying to make something VM Do you have a relationship with gambling There are some gambling references in your titles and you’ve identified double entendres in which the languages of gambling and disability overlap in phrases like double-blind CZ I grew up on the backside of a racetrack A lot of people I love gamble for a living or live to gamble There are gambling references like the dice in the holograms of Boxed Bet that are used as examples in quantum physics because of the aleatory nature of probability Stéphane Mallarmé: “A throw of the dice will never abolish chance.” To make a bet is to open yourself up to debt; to go “all-in” is to open yourself up to dependency; to “let it ride” can be an entrance into a situation in which life and death are both active It’s similar to how physicists talk about cosmic quantum worlds coming in and out of being I like discarded models that are now fictional stories Constantina Zavitsanos’s Call to Post can be seen in the Whitney Biennial 2024: Even Better Than the Real Thing at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City until August 11 Vijay Masharani is an artist and writer based in the Bay Area Transforming education in Brazil with Inspira Constantin von Wietersheim joined Advent in 2023 and is an Associate in London He advises on investments in the healthcare sector where he was an Investment Banking Analyst on the EMEA M&A team he completed internships at Carlyle and McKinsey & Company Constantin holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of St Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article Constantin Meunier (born April 12, 1831, Etterbeek Ixelles) was a Belgian sculptor and painter one of the principal social-realist artists of the late 19th century in Europe Meunier began his career as a sculptor, but during the years 1857–84 he pursued only painting Meunier demonstrated in his paintings a humanitarian interest in labourers focusing particularly on the miners of the Borinage 1887) renders Meunier’s work universal rather than political His notable works include The Docker (1905) and a large sculptural group Vacheron is giving fans exactly what they've been asking for How To Wear It The Cartier Tank Cintrée In-Depth Examining Value And Price Over Time With The ‘No Date’ Rolex Submariner Watches In The Wild The Road Through America, Episode 1: A Model Of Mass Production Vacheron Constantin now has a Historiques 222 in steel It has the same great dimensions (37mm by 7.95mm) now in more casual and affordable stainless steel It’s a big year for anniversaries in the watch world but none have the longevity of Vacheron Constantin’s 270 years Vacheron decided to skip it all and drop a pretty hot release that watch nerds have been asking for and do it with only a press release The "Jumbo" 222 (the progenitor of the Overseas) is finally here in steel Vacheron gave me a chance to spend a little over a day with the watch late last year There are a few things that Vacheron fans have been asking for (a matte dial Dual Time Overseas is probably my biggest other request) and not only was a steel 222 high on the list but it's undoubtedly a home run for Vacheron Released for Vacheron's 222nd anniversary in 1977 the original Jorg Hysek-designed 222 was a departure from any design language Vacheron had before It was the last of the "Holy Trinity" integrated releases and the only one that didn't find a continual place in the brand's catalog So when Vacheron announced the Historiques 222 in yellow gold in 2022 It was the 45th anniversary of the model – kind of an arbitrary anniversary but round enough to justify a release – and the industry was in the right spot for a vintage-inspired re-release they almost immediately asked for the watch in steel I asked folks at Vacheron about an eventual steel release a year later and got a narrative about "seven-year product cycles" and how the brand didn't expect such high demand for the 222 so they didn't have a 222 in steel in the pipeline One key thing that makes the "Jumbo" 222 great is the extra-thin movement that imparts an overall extra-thin shape At 37mm by 7.95mm (thicker than the 7.2mm original from 1977) the balance is a bit different than the "Jumbo" Royal Oak (39mm by 8.1mm) or the Nautilus 5711 (40mm by 8.6mm) But despite the fact all three modern versions (mostly) match their vintage measurements the width of the Historiques 222 feels more vintage than the rest Most brands wouldn't have 36 or 37mm cases as their flagship model in a modern lineup but that just makes the 222 stand out more There are a few changes from the original (as we saw with the yellow-gold Historiques 222) like the butterfly deployant clasp on the integrated bracelet and the display caseback That extra-thin measurement is super comfortable on the wrist this feels much better both physically and psychologically so if you're looking for something a bit more fully sporty This is more about the "vibe" and the experience of wearing the watch Other small touches make the watch pretty indistinguishable from a vintage model It's a bit more punchy with a brand new matte blue dial with no signs of the scratches or polishing that are par for the course with any vintage watch The fluted bezel makes it stand out from other brands' other "Jumbo" options The date window isn't color-matched (something I'll dig into in a future article) and the lower right lug has Vacheron's Maltese cross emblem in gold The movement is viewable through the display caseback – for the umpteenth time like the yellow gold version – with the same movement from 2022 is the evolution of the 2455 released back in 2007 It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour – compared with 2.75 Hz on the original model – and has 40 hours of power reserve but the 26.2mm by 3.6mm movement is the best (automatic) choice for Vacheron to make an extra-thin watch In the next few days, we'll have a more in-depth Hands-On with the new Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222, as well as a comparison to the original reissue in yellow gold. Until then, you can head to Vacheron Constantin's website for more information Brand: Vacheron ConstantinModel: Historiques 222Reference Number: 4200H/222A-B934 Diameter: 37mmThickness: 7.95mmCase Material: Stainless steelDial Color: BlueIndexes: White gold hour markers and hands highlightedLume: Super-LumiNovaWater Resistance: 50mStrap/Bracelet: Integrated stainless steel dateDiameter: 26.2mmThickness: 3.6mmPower Reserve: 40 hours of power reserveWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 28,800 vibrations per hourJewels: 27Chronometer Certified: NoAdditional Details: Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece Price: $32,000Availability: ImmediatelyLimited Edition: No but exclusive to Vacheron Constantin boutiques For more, click here Introducing The Doxa Sub 200, Now With A Steel Bezel Introducing Seiko Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver’s GMT 60th Anniversary Edition SPB519 Watch Spotting The Watches & Fashion Of Met Gala 2025 Business News Rolex Will Raise U.S. Prices In Response To Tariffs Six Of The Coolest CPO Rolex Watches I Saw In London's Old Bond Street Rolex Boutique Reference Points The Cartier Tank Louis Introducing The Christopher Ward C12 'Loco' (Live Pics) Hands-On Tudor's Black Bay Pro Gets A Surprisingly Dramatic Facelift With An Opaline Dial Adidas All Saints Balenciaga Brunello Cucinelli Canada Goose COACH COS Dior Fendi Giorgio Armani Givenchy Harry Rosen Hermes Hugo Boss Louis Vuitton Montblanc Paco Rabanne Prada Saint Laurent Salvatore Ferragamo Strellson Timberland Tommy Hilfiger Acura Audi Bentley BMW Cadillac Chevrolet Ferrari Genesis INFINITI Jaguar KIA Lamborghini Land Rover  Lexus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Nissan Porsche Range Rover Rolls-Royce Volkswagen Mercedes-Benz A. Lange & Söhne Accutron Alpina Audemars Piguet Baume & Mercier Bell & Ross Blancpain Breitling Bulova Cartier Chopard Citizen Frederique Constant Glashütte Original Grand Seiko Harry Winston Hermès Hublot IWC Jaeger-LeCoultre Longines Nomos Glashütte Omega Panerai Patek Philippe Piaget Rado Raymond Weil Richard Mille Roger Dubuis Rolex Seiko TAG Heuer Tudor Vacheron Constantin Victorinox Zenith Angel’s Envy Balvenie Belvedere Bombay Sapphire Bowmore Casamigos Glenfiddich Glenlivet Glenmorangie Grey Goose Hennessy Jefferson’s Ocean JP Wisers Jura Patron Redbreast Suntory Tanqueray The Dalmore April 15 Anniversaries are always cause for celebration among the world’s biggest watchmakers, but after 270 years in the business, Vacheron Constantin is here to remind us that they remain in a class of their own the brand revealed a bevy of covetable limited editions featuring ultra-thin movements (and an armoured truck’s worth of 950 platinum) that underscore its nearly three centuries of tradition Leading the charge are limited-edition versions of the Traditionnelle Manual-Winding (370 pieces in 950 platinum and 370 pieces in 18K 5N pink gold) featuring dials with a new geometric motif created for the brand’s 270th anniversary Their movements are likewise enhanced by a ‘côte unique’ guilloche finish and engraved with an anniversary emblem A new version of the Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date meanwhile, is offered in white gold and pink gold (270 numbered editions apiece) with a silver-toned dial featuring the 270th-anniversary motif There are also two 370-piece limited editions (in pink gold and white gold) of the Patrimony Self-Winding bearing the anniversary motif and including a 22K gold open-worked oscillating weight engraved with the brand’s signature Maltese cross.  “These two collections epitomize the understated elegance of the watches created by Vacheron Constantin over the last 270 years,” shares Sandrine Donguy the brand’s product and innovation director “These classic collections are elevated by signature complications and subtle details such as the Patrimony’s domed dial and the Traditionnelle’s fluted caseback.” this 127-piece limited edition pairs two of the most technically advanced complications in traditional watchmaking All of the hallmarks of Vacheron Constantin’s skill with finishing are here particularly a ‘côte unique’ finish on the bridges that reportedly took the brand’s guilloche engraving experts 500 hours to perfect Thanks to a new ultra-thin in-house movement featuring an unusual peripheral rotor the watch’s 950 platinum case is also remarkably wearable at just 11mm thick.  “It showcases the art of watchmaking that Vacheron Constantin has been cultivating since 1755 and embodies the quest for excellence that has been passed down through the generations,” explains the brand’s style and heritage director “As a testament to the Maison’s ability to continually reinvent itself while remaining faithful to its traditions the Traditionnelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar strikes the right balance between our aesthetic and technical heritage and the new history that we are currently writing.” One of the main challenges for a brand rooted in nearly three centuries of tradition is keeping one foot in the past while driving forward with new ideas This spectacular collection embodies that duality in the Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Retrograde Date Openface the Traditionnelle Tourbillon Retrograde Date Openface and the Traditionnelle Complete Calendar Openface In addition to celebrating two of Vacheron Constantin’s historical signatures (open-worked dials and retrograde displays) they also boast platinum cases and impressively thin movements “We have taken the open-worked approach in new directions with these limited editions which involves removing as much material as possible to create a kind of mechanical lacework the Openface dial displays the mechanism while maintaining a strong dial structure revealing the movement’s complexity and inner beauty without concealing any of its architecture.” from the ultra-thin movements to the sampling platter of anniversary details and traditional finishing motifs If previous anniversaries are any indication there may be a few more revelations still to come Web Design & Development by Viuu Media Group At Watches and Wonders 2025 in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin unveils its most intricate and technical timepiece yet — Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication As ‘the most complicated wristwatch ever made,’ according to the Swiss luxury watchmakers this one-of-a-kind timepiece is developed as a miniaturized observatory — bringing together 1,521 handcrafted components under the newly developed Calibre 3655 the watch’s case measures 45 millimeters in diameter and 14.99 millimeters in thickness These extensive functionalities are combined in a double-sided display to integrate three modes of timekeeping: standard civil time true solar time accounting for the Earth’s elliptical orbit and sidereal team based on Earth’s rotation relative to fixed stars In addition to tracking the passage of time the Solaria provides real-time data on the sun’s position as well as the ability to pinpoint the appearance of celestial objects all images courtesy of Vacheron Constantin Since introducing its first watch with a date calendar complication in the late 18th century Vacheron Constantin has continued to advance the art of mechanical watchmaking particularly in the field of astronomical complications The Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication follows this tradition offering a sophisticated exploration of time through the lens of celestial mechanics The timepiece operates on three distinct timekeeping systems that operate simultaneously the watch displays civil time — the 24-hour standard based on International Atomic Time Its hour and minute hands are complemented by a second time zone On the reverse side, the Swiss luxury watchmakers shift focus to sidereal time Minutes are marked on the periphery of the sapphire crystal caseback while hours rotate beneath it on a moving disc which reflects the true length of a day as influenced by Earth’s elliptical orbit Because the actual solar day varies from -16 to +14 minutes over the course of a year aligning with civil time only four times annually this difference is displayed on a subdial at 6 o’clock Vacheron Constantin unveils Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication Vacheron Constantin distinguishes the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication  with five advanced astronomical complications four of which track the sun’s movement across the sky the watch displays the real-time position of the sun combining a split-seconds chronograph with a celestial vault representation which allows the wearer to calculate the time it takes for a specific constellation or star to appear centered in their field of vision The front organizes its four subdials with clarity two of which display up to five separate functions and circular satin-polished finishes ensuring depth and readability The 6 o’clock subdial adds a sculptural element with its 5 millimeter rhodium-plated gold Earth dome featuring polished continents and sandblasted oceans while a gleaming 18K yellow gold hemisphere represents the sun’s declination The reverse side transforms into a celestial chart A rotating metallized disc in dual shades of grey showcases the celestial vault and a 24-hour scale with lacquered split-seconds chronograph hands in green and red the reverse side shifts focus to sidereal time bringing together 1,521 handcrafted components under the newly developed Calibre 3655 in addition to tracking the passage of time the front organizes its four subdials with clarity two of which each display up to five separate functions the reverse side transforms into a celestial chart name: Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication designer: Vacheron Constantin | @vacheronconstantin AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Read Richemont's ambition & values Vacheron Constantin is pleased to announce that Laurent Perves has been appointed as the Maison CEO succeeding Louis Ferla with whom he worked closely for the past 8 years who brings over 20 years industry experience to the role has played an important part in positioning Vacheron Constantin as a leader in Haute Horlogerie and in its commercial success since joining the Maison in 2016 and as Chief Commercial Officer since 2021 he has more than 20 years of experience managing global brands leading creative teams as well as developing business in the luxury goods industry Laurent began his career at the LVMH group as Change Manager within its Perfumes and Cosmetics category He then worked for ten years in the ‘Prestige Products’ Division of Procter & Gamble where he occupied various functions in Consumer Intelligence before reaching a Global Brand Leadership position on Gucci Parfums He joined the watchmaking industry in 2014 as Head of Brand Communication for Audemars Piguet building specific capabilities in digital platforms and trade marketing while reinventing the brand communication campaign Laurent Perves graduated from ESSCA with a Master in Economics & Marketing he completed his education with a Master in Processes Engineering & Project Management at Polytech Angers University as well as a Master in Strategy & Organization at Paris Dauphine University He is also a Visiting Professor at Paris Dauphine University Vacheron Constantin is the world’s oldest watch Manufacture in continuous production for nearly 270 years faithfully perpetuating a proud heritage of watchmaking excellence and stylistic sophistication through generations of master craftsmen At the pinnacle of Haute Horlogerie and understated elegance the Maison creates timepieces with unique technical and aesthetic signatures and an extremely high level of finishing touches Vacheron Constantin brings to life unparalleled heritage and a spirit of innovation through its collections: Patrimony It also offers its discerning clientele of connoisseurs the rare opportunity to acquire vintage pieces within the Les Collectionneurs assortment as well as unique and bespoke timepieces by means of its Les Cabinotiers department All information and images are available to download on the Vacheron Constantin press lounge With 41 complications and having taken eight years to craft the Solaria is the perfect way for Vacheron to celebrate 270 years Vacheron Constantin's Les Cabinotiers department has done it again, setting a world record for the most complicated wristwatch with the "Solaria Ultra Grand Complication" less than one year after the announcement of the world's most complicated watch and a shockingly modern design and wearable size this story will (yet again) be the longest we'll run during Watches and Wonders the brand is no stranger to high-complication watchmaking over their 270-year history Their forays into this mini-competition among the world's complications specialists resulted in 2017's Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600 But they still didn't have nearly the number of complications of the Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 But Franck Muller's website is wildly out of date Not only has the Aeternitas not been the most complicated watch for some time but it's no longer the most complicated wristwatch either Less than a year ago, Vacheron Constantin made the most complicated watch in the world and we were there to bring you a video about the watch. there was some fair critique that the 960 gram 90.8mm diameter by 50.55mm thick "pocket watch" wasn't so much a watch where the line of one ends and the other begins is up for debate) or – my favorite comment – a horological kettlebell Now make a wristwatch version," said one reader Vacheron yet again previewed the Les Cabinotiers Solari this year on the day before Watches and Wonders to a select group of press but I also had a chance to go "hands-on” (literally versus the Berkley which we couldn’t touch) with the watch Alright, we know that the watch has 41 complications and has 13 patents applied for – and we'll get to the specific complications shortly – but I think one of the most impressive things is the size and overall aesthetic of the watch. Vacheron has not shied from tying the idea of "complicated" closely to the word "loud" with watches like the 2022 Tribute to Bacchus this has a relatively reserved case design and modern dial language in a wearable package Compare that to the recent Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean World Time While these are two different watches with two different use cases (the "Solaria" has no listed water resistance and Vacheron's offering is a unique piece from their high watchmaking arm with no price given it just goes to show the achievement of micro-mechanics and miniaturisation from Vacheron measures only 36mm in diameter by 10.96mm thick and features everything from 14 astronomical complications to five chiming complications including a split-second chronograph that also doubles as one of those astronomical complications the watch runs at 3Hz with a 72-hour power reserve the Solaria is a fully Vacheron-driven project was given carte blanche to go hog wild and make the most incredible feat of horology he could He certainly took full advantage of the brief and there is no price tag but the watch is for sale the Solaria is actually called “the Premiere” to end its official name because the program is open to orders with future examples modified in ways to keep them all unique Yet each would have the full suite of complications We will have a list of all the complications at the end there are the normal (and extremely complex) chiming complications the Westminster minute repeater mechanism is integrated into the base movement along with the chronograph mechanism and tourbillon regulator The Civil time display module is also coupled to the base movement There is a Gregorian perpetual calendar and a second time zone display But the second time zone has an independent hour and minute hands for your local time that are separated from the home time The astronomical display also gives high and low tides for a selected city (as it does sunrise but it also gives you the date of the Spring tide and the neap tide (seven days after a spring tide when there is a period of moderate tides and the sun and moon are at right angles to each other) The most fascinating complication (or combination of them) is the use of the column-wheel split-second chronograph as an astronomical tool The rear of the watch features a display of the "celestial vault" (the apparent surface of the sky) with two overlapping sapphire displays It's complicated (for lack of a better word) the rear dial displays a full slate of constellations for the night sky above a chosen location and displays the changing view of the constellations in real-time The split-second chronograph is mounted in the middle of this display while another disc in the center of the dial has a green arrow that points to an hour between 0 and 24 There's also another green index line halfway from the center of the dial to the edge the user visually selects a given star on the celestial chart When the chronograph hand reaches the green reference marker stop the first hand but let the second hand continue until it reaches the current position of the chosen star The time (in hours) that must elapse until the user will see the chosen star in the sky is indicated by the green triangle on the small counter in the centre of the dial The peripheral month display marked on the back crystal enables the wearer to adjust the celestial vault to reflect the Earth's position in its orbit around the Sun." the display is – you guessed it – very complex with two metal discs under the subdials for cities and astronomical signs and moonphases (including spring and neap tide) the transparent caseback is actually an astronomical disc marked with the months and constellations and is 0.6mm thick at the endge which display the celestial vault and the sidereal time it took me a little time to appreciate the use of so much color on the dial At first I thought the use of so much yellow and green made the watch look less serious than I'd expect the most complicated wristwatch to look Eventually I realized that each of these colors wildly increases legibility and makes it much more modern than any other ultra-complication ever made It also is much more muted in person than the provided photos it’s one of the most visually balanced multi-complications possible Understanding the achievements of the Berkley Grand Complication last year required considerable knowledge and explanation of the Chinese calendar and its application in the Chinese perpetual calendar That made up the bulk of the change from the 57260 to the Berkley Vacheron has instead patented a wide range of complications Why does this matter? Well, the brand has used pieces like this in the past as proving grounds for things they could integrate into future, more commercial releases. For instance, the spherical tourbillon from the 57260 made its way into the various versions of the Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon we've seen over the years This is even more likely in a watch with a movement size that is more applicable to other wristwatches There are two patents for time indications The first is a "plug and play" mounting system for aligning and securing the astronomical displays while allowing easy service and indexing Second is a new system for universal time that allows the local time to be disassociated from home time but using a differential instead of a spring as has been used in the past The split-seconds chronograph also has a new split-seconds insulator system that is meant to allow better isochronism and vibration reduction The bulk of the patent applications are actually for the minute repeater – a total of seven They've reworked the minute repeater architecture with developments to optimise the size of the hammers and maximise the energy transmitted to the hammers and I was surprised to hear that this meant that they actually shrunk the hammers and made them out of steel for more power with 18K gold added on three of them with pairs of hammers on each side of the baseplate there's a new mode selector system for selecting the striking mode on demand of the repeater choosing between hours only or engaging the entire striking mechanism with hours I think there's no way to convey how fascinating a watch like this is and how difficult it is to comprehend that I've been looking at a watch that's so technical (with a dial that reflects that) but is only 0.6mm thicker than IWC's Eternal Calendar from last year It's also just a testament to how far watchmaking technology has come to make a watch like this Just as we did for the Berkley Grand Complication I thought it might be useful to break down the 41 complications of the Solaria one by one One thing to note: one of the listed complications is the tourbillon which is a regulating organ (albeit a complex one to make) The debate about whether it's a complication is so fierce that the only way to win is not to play the game When I asked Ben his opinion on this recently it is one," which I think sums it up perfectly if you have the facts and are voting no on the tourbillon Vacheron credits itself for only one complication for the second time zone hours and minutes (two different complications by my count) there's no doubt that this watch stakes the claim to be the most complicated wristwatch in the world with the following functions Day and night indication for reference city 2 Second time zone hours and minutes (on 24-hour display) 3 Second time zone day and night indication 5 3Hz tourbillon with silicon balance wheel (with high Q factor) 6 Civil time display module coupled to the base movement Indication for the number of the week within the year (ISO 8601 calendar) 14 Number of the day of the week (ISO 8601 calendar) Astronomical Moon phase and age of the Moon 16 solstices & astronomical zodiac signs 19 Sunrise time (according to the city of reference) 21 Sunset time (according to the city of reference) 22 Duration of the day (according to the city of reference) 23 Culmination time of the Sun (according to the city of reference) 25 Height of the Sun above the horizon (according to the city of reference) 26 3-dimensional Earth showing the latitude of the Sun in the North/South hemisphere 27 Sky chart (according to the city of reference) 31 Westminster carillon chime (4 hammers & 4 gongs) 34 Crown locking system during the chiming 36 Double-stop hammer system to limit rebound and optimize transmission of the hammers' kinetic energy Split-seconds chronograph (1 column wheel) 40 Isolator system for the split-seconds chronograph Power-reserve indication (outer disc at 190°) For more information on the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers "Solaria" Ultra Grand Complication, visit the brand's website. Stay tuned for more over the coming days from Watches & Wonders – you can follow all of the show's new releases right here. The Swiss watchmaking maison unveils six new limited edition timepieces across three collections featuring special anniversary dials and movements It's been quite the year for Plan-les-Ouates-based Vacheron Constantin and they're showing absolutely no signs of slowing down This commemorative collection features three distinct models: the Traditionnelle Manual-Winding Each watch comes in two different editions adding six new limited editions to the mix This exclusive series bears unique decorative elements inspired by the brand's emblematic Maltese cross with dials featuring a special 270th-anniversary decor and are housed in precious metals including platinum Each model is powered by meticulously crafted in-house movements and adorned with a distinctive 'côte unique' finish and the 270th-anniversary emblem As certified by the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva these watches represent the highest standards of Swiss watchmaking combining traditional techniques with contemporary precision that watch enthusiasts expect from the venerable maison The brand has been on quite a roll this year with its anniversary celebrations and these new pieces continue to showcase why Vacheron remains at the pinnacle of haute horlogerie after nearly three centuries They've beautifully balanced heritage and innovation creating watches that feel both timeless and special The Traditionnelle Manual-Winding presents a perfectly proportioned 38mm case with a slim profile of just 7.77mm available in either 950 platinum or 18K 5N pink gold Its classical design is enhanced by a transparent sapphire crystal caseback that reveals the beautifully finished movement within Both Patrimony models feature slightly larger cases—the Moon Phase Retrograde Date measures 42.5mm in diameter with a 9.7mm thickness the Self-Winding model offers a 40mm diameter with an 8.65mm profile These cases are crafted from 18K white gold or 18K 5N pink gold with the same transparent caseback and water resistance as the Traditionnelle model The dials across all three models share a common aesthetic language while maintaining their individual character Each features a silver-toned base adorned with a special decorative pattern inspired by the Maltese cross—the brand's iconic emblem—created specifically for the 270th-anniversary collection.The Patrimony models are distinguished by their convex external zones creating a sense of depth and dimension that plays beautifully with light All watches in the collection feature applied hour-markers and hands crafted from 18K gold with the Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date adding a touch of color with its blued retrograde date hand The Traditionnelle Manual-Winding employs elegant Dauphine-type hours and minutes hands while the specialized moon phase and retrograde date indications on the Patrimony Moon Phase can satisfy any astral quandary At the core of each anniversary timepiece lies a Vacheron Constantin manufacture movement each specially finished for this collection with the 'côte unique' decoration and The Traditionnelle Manual-Winding houses the Caliber 4400 AS/270 a hand-wound movement measuring 28.60mm in diameter and 2.80mm thick it delivers an impressive 65-hour power reserve and operates at a frequency of 4 Hz The Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date features the self-winding Caliber 2460 R31L/270 a more complex movement with 275 components and 27 jewels it powers the retrograde date display and a precision moon phase indicator The Patrimony Self-Winding contains the Caliber 2450 Q6/270 and date functions through its 196 components Both Patrimony calibers offer a 40-hour power reserve and operate at 4 Hz maintaining the high precision expected from Vacheron Constantin and providing enough power for a weekend off the wrist Each watch in the anniversary collection is fitted with a luxurious Mississippiensis alligator leather strap—grey for the Traditionnelle and dark green for both Patrimony models These straps feature tone-on-tone stitching and square scales adding textural interest while maintaining a refined appearance They are secured by pin buckles crafted from the same precious metal as the case—950 platinum 18K white gold or 18K 5N pink gold—and shaped as a polished half Maltese cross reinforcing the brand identity to the smallest detail.These exclusive individually numbered anniversary timepieces are produced in strictly limited quantities with the Traditionnelle Manual-Winding and Patrimony Self-Winding limited to 370 pieces per reference The Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date is limited to 270 pieces per reference Like your best friend who has turned their birthday party into a birthday week Following their outstanding 222 re-releases earlier this year these new limited editions demonstrate why Vacheron remains a collector's darling and the fact that these also come in different materials expands the appeal giving collectors options that suit both their preferences While these limited editions might not be someone's first entry point into the illustrious annals of Vacheron history they provide some genuinely compelling options The anniversary dial pattern is memorable without being ostentatious and the movement finishing—which Vacheron has always excelled at—takes on an extra dimension with the anniversary embellishments Stay tuned for more over the coming days from Watches and Wonders – you can follow all of the show's new releases right here Brand: Vacheron ConstantinModel: Traditionnelle Manual-Winding (TMW) Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date (PMP) Patrimony Self-Winding (PSW)Reference Number: 82172/000P-H062 8.65 mm (PSW)Case Material: 950 platinum / 18K 5N pink gold (TMW) 18K white gold / 18K 5N pink gold (PMP)Dial Color: Silver-toned (all)Indexes: Applied (all)Lume: No (all)Water Resistance: 3 bar (approx 30 metres) (all)Strap/Bracelet: Grey Mississippiensis alligator leather strap Dark green Mississippiensis alligator leather strap PSW)Frequency: 4 Hz or 28,800 vibrations/hour (all)Jewels: 21 (TMW) PSW)Chronometer Certified: Hallmark of Geneva (all) Price: CHF 26,100 in rose and CHF 36,200 in platinum (TMW) CHF 34,700 (PSW)Availability: Limited editionLimited Edition: 370 (TMW For more, click here This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Image-Line’s CEO gives us a conceptual overview of what’s in store for FL Studio 2025 and beyond with AI and video game music-making chatter still looming When you purchase through affiliate links on MusicTech.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn moreImage-Line CEO How many DAWs are getting 30,000 downloads a month FL Studio is hitting that figure every single day, according to its maker Image-Line Even CEO Constantin Koehncke admits that number is “pretty staggering” and “definitely insane” who’ve all expressed their reliance on the software the DAW has long been the gateway to music-making for millions of beatmakers But as Image-Line prepares to unleash the newest version, FL Studio 2025, it’s once again out to prove that FL Studio is more than just a toy for newcomers. Keen FL Studio users may have even noticed a few teasers of fresh innovations appearing on the Image-Line forums “We have a pretty close engagement with the community,” says Koehncke in our video call we’re building this; here’s an idea of what the UI could look like’ It gives us some feedback in the development process and it’s a part of the DNA of the company to build FL Studio in this way.” Koehncke joined as Image-Line’s CEO in October 2022 he’s overseen some pivotal launches in FL Studio: FL Cloud and the rollout of innovative AI features such as in-DAW stem separation and chord progression assistance The German-born CEO is used to such grandiose releases by now. Before his role at Image-Line, he was CEO at Native Instruments having climbed the ranks from 2010 as a marketing manager Native dropped products such as Maschine+ and hundreds of bleeding-edge plugins And before he was coordinating major product releases he wrote about them as a music tech journalist and publicist for a German magazine “50% of FL Studio trial users are under the age of 20 and many of them don’t end up choosing another DAW or music-making tool; they just stop making music altogether.” he doesn’t find the time to do so actively “The next best thing to making music yourself is making it easier for many other people to do so” Having lived and worked in major music hubs — Los Angeles London and Berlin — he’s found inspiration from various genres That’s one reason he feels so well placed as CEO of Image-Line “Continuously speaking to producers around the world – big and small – is helping me to think about where we go next and what some of the bigger problems are that we can solve for users.” Of the 30,000 daily downloads of FL Studio (it even reached 71,000 daily downloads in 2018) Koehncke says that most are newcomers not just to Image-Line’s DAW One problem that the team are trying to solve is how to keep people inspired to continue creating music — and ultimately staying on FL Studio “50% of FL Studio trial users are under the age of 20, and many of them don’t end up choosing another DAW or music-making tool; they just stop making music altogether,” continues Koehncke. He’s reluctant to directly agree with his competitor Niklas Agevik at Reason Studios, who told us that the DAW’s main competition is “Netflix and Steam.” Koehncke does say there is “an attention capital that we’re competing for “Being the first touch point for many global music makers it’s our duty as a company to try to get more people to stick with music-making,” he adds “These were companies that could essentially [let you] start making music and get yourself published and distributed,” Koehncke explains Can one company really provide for producers in a way that would once require multiple companies “We can all maybe relate to how painful multiple installers and multiple subscriptions can be at times Our mission is to provide users with the fastest way from their brain to their speakers so providing them with everything they need right at their fingertips is key to that.” Since Koehncke joined, Image-Line has brought some impressive power to producers — it’s had to, given the competitive DAW market right now. FL Studio has introduced new AI-driven features like Stem Sepatator and the Chord Progression Tool for chord creation. FL Cloud, meanwhile, is a platform that gives producers millions of accessible samples and presets, AI mastering, a marketplace of plugins from different developers, and music distribution via DistroKid And the company is still committed to its Lifetime Free Updates pledge collaborating with more music tech companies “We’re going to continuously expand our offering in FL Cloud,” says Koehncke we’ve tripled the size of our sound catalogue since we launched The goal is to have access to the right set of tools all integrated directly with FL Studio to make it easy and fast for users to get creative.” it’s a no-brainer — but Koehncke jokes that “we can all maybe relate to how painful multiple installers and multiple subscriptions can be at times Image-Line has recently partnered with Minimal Audio, Baby Audio, with Antares on AutoTune, and with Koehncke’s previous company, Native Instruments, among others. He promises that “There’s still more to come on a regular basis…My view is, if the customer and the user are getting something really valuable to them, then it’s a worthwhile partnership.” “We’re a small team — Image-Line as a whole, but FL Studio in particular,” says Koehncke. “[The new update convention] just helps us focus on delivering the features and updates that people want, and doing that in regular, continuous fashion, rather than saying, ‘Here’s the big bang, and now we’re going to hide away for another two years and come up with something that might disappoint people, because times might might have changed.’” FL Studio has kept pace with modern advancements. Its AI integration is commendable, for example, but how can it compete with the likes of generative AI platforms like Suno and Udio? “These platforms are becoming an entry point for some users, says Koehncke. “Maybe they give you the [music-making] bug, then you can come and use FL Studio — or any other product — where you can shape your own sound and develop as a producer.” “Why should music making, as a whole, be different from graphic design or word processing or gaming, where you pick up from where you left off on different devices?” “Our users are really in it for the joy of making music and the creative process. We want to be a helping hand in that process, not take control of the wheel. We look at AI tools as an unlocker of creativity and as a way to make the hard tasks in music-making easier.” Still, Koehncke adds, the topic of AI often leads to “ferocious” discussions at Image-Line HQ. The company, like many other audio brands, is still trying to solidify its role in the development of AI in music, and what it means to introduce such tech to music makers. The main topic, as always, is finding ways to lower the barriers for newcomers while empowering the most skilled producers in its userbase. For Image Line, the goal is to lower the barriers for newcomers while empowering their most skilled producers, and ensuring that technology serves creativity, not the other way around. Beyond AI, Image-Line is considering the ways that you take the music-making process with you. Most people are making music on laptops and mobile phones — but there’s still an element of friction between the two. Starting an idea on a mobile and switching to a desktop can be fiddly. What if DAWs performed like cloud platforms? “Why should music making, as a whole, be different from graphic design or word processing or gaming, where you pick up from where you left off on different devices?” asks Koehncke. Although there are logistical barriers, such as file formats, third-party plugins and saving metadata, Koehncke believes the technology is there. “We should try to solve problems for the customer, and that would be a real benefit to any DAW user.” Video games are also in Koehncke’s peripheral. FL Studio Mobile has seen notable success, he says. Perhaps that’s an indication that there is a market for more non-desktop DAWs? “We think a lot about the commonalities between gaming and music making in terms of experience and the joyfulness of learning while you’re playing,” Koehncke continues. “You get this dopamine rush when you complete something, and there are a lot of analogies in our community — words like ‘cheat code’ are used a lot in relation to FL Studio. We see a lot of overlap and commonalities in how people interact with music-making software and specifically FL Studio.” Does that mean that by FL Studio 2026, you could be making music on an FL Studio app on Xbox and PlayStation? “We just want to be wherever somebody’s thinking about creating music; it’s about being wherever your users might be.” Get the latest news, reviews and tutorials to your inbox. The world’s leading media brand at the intersection of music and technology. By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Marking its 270th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin has unveiled a steel iteration of its Historiques 222 reference the Historiques 222 is one of the Maison’s most recognizable models yet Now clad in contemporary steel and boasting a slightly more affordable price point than its precious metal counterpart the new 222 faithfully upholds all its vintage charm as designed by Jorg Hysek back in the ‘70s matching integrated bracelet to its fluted bezel stamped with the Maltese cross the new reference is faithfully reimagined down to the movement featuring the same ultra-thin 2455/2 caliber that was also used in the 2022 yellow gold re-edition this modern iteration is fitted with a blue dial It includes several technical improvements such as redesigned bracelet joints hidden behind visible pins for better ergonomics and a triple-blade clasp for enhanced security now engraved with a signature to commemorate the Maison’s 270th anniversary also features a transparent sapphire crystal that offers a peek into its in-house movement Get San José Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox Chris Constantin was sure he’d enlist in the U.S Army Airborne Rangers after receiving his master’s degree but his past public service ended up determining his future The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously selected Constantin as town manager Constantin will oversee about 150 town employees and serve about 33,500 residents replacing Laurel Prevetti whose last day is Friday Assistant Town Manager Katy Nomura will temporarily fill the role during the transition Constantin grew up on the border of Los Gatos and San Jose along Blossom Hill Road He has returned home to live near his 6 1/2- year-old daughter after serving close to four years as the city manager in similarly sized San Dimas in Southern California Constantin said he’s not in the job for recognition but you did it,” he told San José Spotlight Mayor Mary Badame said she is impressed by his comprehensive history in local government “He is the real deal,” she told San José Spotlight “His experience hit all the buttons including top priorities of public safety familiarity with the community and proximity to town allowing for hands-on experience.” Constantin began his more than 27-year government career as a San Jose city auditor after becoming one of the youngest members elected to the West Valley-Mission Community College board of trustees at 19 During that time he earned his bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University in industrial and systems engineering He followed that with a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University From there he became San Diego’s assistant city auditor where he lowered fire response times by one minute to try to save more lives None of this fit into his original plan of joining the military Constantin took the advice of his father — a Vietnam War veteran — to try to land a job outside the armed forces first after his graduate degree He found his calling though government public service He didn’t totally toss out the idea of public protective service He was inspired by his brother in the police force and joined the voluntary Hayward Reserve Police Bureau where he continues to serve as a lieutenant about 19 years later “My view on a challenge is God puts you in a position to challenge you to learn and you should be taking those lessons from it “I’ve tended to take on challenges that are the most difficult.” he held the positions of chief audit executive administrative services director and assistant city manager He reversed the city’s deficit spending and also lived through the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise where he helped pull Chico back from the foot-deep ashes “Who would have thought you’re turning a city away from bankruptcy?” he told San José Spotlight “Being centrally involved in the biggest fire in the history of California and experiencing something that most people have never seen in the United States and turning that city around and coming out of it?”  Constantin’s latest position was as San Dimas city manager San Dimas director of parks and recreation collaborated with Constantin to strengthen the city’s vendor contracts He said Constantin was the most effective city manager out of the eight he’s worked with “He has been a true mentor who helped me develop my administrative skills to be more effective,” Wasserman told San José Spotlight “Chris really cares about staff and I have no doubt that he will embrace employees the community and (town council) in Los Gatos.” Prevetti has served as the Los Gatos town manager for about nine years. She was instrumental in the town’s 2040 general plan and is moving on to pursue nonprofit work and music, according to the Los Gatan Constantin is a wonderful addition to the town team with prior experience as a city manager local ties to Los Gatos and a strong finance background,” she told San José Spotlight Constantin said he’ll listen to town staff and residents before implementing his ideas to gauge community needs but he does want to prioritize Los Gatos’ character  “You come here for the charm, the environment, the interaction, the community, the benefit of feeling like you’re in a single-family-home town that cares about education, safety and the rest,” he said Contact Annalise Freimarck at [email protected] or follow @annalise_ellen on X Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" You must be logged in to post a comment San José Spotlight is an award-winning nonprofit newsroom dedicated to fearless journalism that disrupts the status quo holds power to account and paves the way for change We’re changing the face of local journalism by building a community-supported newsroom that ignites civic engagement educates residents and strengthens our democracy 408.206.5327[email protected] Submit a News TipSubscribe to our newsletters San José Spotlight is a project of the San José News Bureau a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128 ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " At this year’s Geneva edition of Watches & Wonders, Vacheron Constantin celebrates its 270th anniversary with a remarkable collection of timepieces that honor its heritage and horological excellence Leading the showcase is the groundbreaking Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication featuring an unprecedented 41 complications The lineup also includes a trio of Traditionnelle Openface models with intricate openworked designs the platinum Traditionnelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar and new limited editions from the Patrimony and Traditionnelle lines all exemplifying the Maison’s dedication to innovation the cases of the new Traditionnelle Openface models feature hallmark elements such as stepped lugs The dials incorporate railway-style minutes tracks faceted Dauphine-style handsand gold baton hour-markers Its openworked design proudly showcased both technical sophistication and artistic refinement expressed through the Maison’s technical artisty in watchmaking We use cookies to provide our services and for analytics and marketing. To find out more about our use of cookies and how you can disable them, please see our Privacy Policy. By continuing to browse our website, you agree to our use of cookies. Click here to read our privacy policy. The 2024 World Aquatics High Diving World Cup season served as the qualification pathway for the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025 As the world’s best prepare to compete on the sport’s biggest stage we look closer at the athletes set to compete from the breathtaking heights of the 20m and 27m platforms Next up on the men's side is Constantin Popovici. Constantin made waves in 2023 by securing the gold medal in the men’s 10-meter platform at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka in 2023 a remarkable achievement that added to his growing reputation in the sport.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Constantin Popovici (@constantin.popovici) We put Constantin into the question-and-answer hot seat started diving at the age of nine but didn’t make his debut in the sport of high diving until he was 29 he finds beauty in every location but admits he has a preference for warmer climates “We have a lot of nice places in the world but I prefer the warm places,” Popovici shares Popovici has a dream to bring his high-diving skills to his homeland in a spectacular way “I would love to dive in the city centre of Bucharest right in front of the iconic Parliament building to connect high diving with my roots.” and for Popovici music plays a huge part in getting in the zone before a dive He often listens to tracks from Romanian and Bulgarian DJs on SoundCloud to pump up his energy and elevate his focus I like to have my hands wet before each dive I think a lot of divers do the same,” Popovici explains When asked which celebrities he would love to invite to one of his competitions “I would like to invite retired tennis legend Roger Federer and actor Tom Cruise Blending craftsmanship with complexity, the world’s oldest watch Maison has unveiled a record-breaking timepiece for its 270th anniversary. By Hayley Peppin WEARING ITS (technical) heart on its wrist, Vacheron Constantin has unveiled the world’s most complicated wristwatch at Watches & Wonders in Geneva Dubbed the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication-La Première the new piece is a triumph for the world’s oldest watch Maison: 270 years old — and still ticking along Boasting 41 complications and 13 patent applications including five rare astronomical functions you’d be forgiven for thinking Solaria’s an overiszed pocket watch or clock No stranger to record-breaking ingenuity — last year the Swiss watchmaker stunned horologists with a bespoke 63-complication piece — Vacheron Constantin decided to downsize this time for something more practical the 8K-white gold Solaria measures a modest 45mm by 14.99mm thickness — slimmer than the Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica à Grand Sonnerie another world’s most complicated wristwatch Sportily designed by a single watchmaker over the course of eight years Vacheron Constanti presented no budget or specific specs during concept — except wildly celebrating haute horology at its finest mini form Some of the complication highlights — across its 1,521 components — include an innovative Westminster minute-repeater mechanism; standard time indications including civil time with central hours and minutes complemented by world time and a second time zone; solar and lunar indications via a sub-dial; sidereal time for astronomical observations; Gregorian perpetual calendar indications; and a genius celestial tracking module Vacheron Constantin used split-seconds chronography allowing horology-astronomy enthusiasts to calculate the time possible for a constellation or star of choice (from 13 zodiac constellations on the watch’s dial) to be visible from Earth Out of this world technology — one open to orders subject to request (there’s also no price tag) — and hardly the only inventive release Related: 270 years of Vacheron Constantin and the Historiques 222 in stainless steel Celebrating its 270th birthday in timeless style Vacheron Constantin also shared eight limited editions in Geneva within its Patrimony and Traditionnelle collections A nod to its meticulous craftsmanship dating back to 1755 the classic Traditionnelle model has been reimagined in the thinnest case possible: a diameter of 42mm faceted Dauphine-style hands and applied gold baton-type hourmakers the ultra-thin timepiece first launched in the 1950s remains understated and sleek — with a slim bezel curved baton-type hands and a ‘pearl’ minutes track Each piece features special anniversary insignia and decorative touches: a ‘côte unique’ as Vacheron Constantin calls it Sapphire casebacks reveal distinctive finishes; with each movement engraved with an emblem a hand-guilloché decoration inspired by the Maltese cross Having been around since time immemorial — on the watchmaking front that is — Vacheron Constantin proves it’s still the home of complicated stories and timeless style Related: Meet the high jewellery watch you never thought you needed Stay up to date with BAZAAR Australia’s 2025 Watches & Wonders coverage: Harper’s BAZAAR participates in various affiliate marketing programs which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and commit to building a brighter future together exclusive experiences and our expertly curated destination guides reviews of rare spirits and delicious cocktail recipes pioneering yacht builds and boundary-pushing private jets Explore the worlds of haute horology and fine jewelry as well as carefully selected style guides Explore the finest properties on the market standout interior styling and architectural wonders From science-backed retreats to traditional spas Be inspired by our conversations with Leaders in Luxury Elite Collections is a trusted distinction of excellence Get insider access to luxury’s best-kept secrets and exclusive offers Elevate your inbox with the best in refined living Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.You will recieve a confirmation shortly The Swiss watchmaker kicks off a year of celebration to mark its 275th anniversary Vacheron Constantin has responded to increasing demand for sleeker vintage watches with a stainless steel version of its popular Historiques 222 model this $32,000 timepiece is more affordable and wearable than the 18k gold version launched in 2022 The 222 first hit the market in 1977 to mark Vacheron Constantin’s 222nd anniversary It was relaunched in 2022 in 18k yellow gold and was thrust into the limelight after being spotted on the wrists of several A-listers coupled with the fact that a fully gold watch takes a lifestyle choice meant a stainless steel version was an inevitable follow-up Whereas the yellow gold 222 captured people’s hearts this new interpretation will be much more likely to capture people’s money With a practical 37mm case and more durable case material this is the 222 watch fans have been calling for [See also: The Elite Traveler Edit of the Top Watches of 2024] leaving thousands of would-be collectors searching for stainless steel alternatives Designed in the same late-1970s era to bridge the gap between formality and sportiness This stainless steel version is a modern interpretation of the original design complete with the Maltese cross stamped at 5 o’clock The slender 7.95mm case comes thanks to the ultra-thin Vacheron caliber 2455/2 measuring a mere 3.6 mm and offering a 40-hour power reserve helps move the 222 across the dress/sports watch divide as well as a gold oscillating weight engraved with the 222 symbol is visible through the crystal display caseback The integrated bracelet is also true to the original stylistically although it has a butterfly deployment clasp instead except the date window has been moved in so as to not interrupt the minute dials The hour batons have also been coated in Super-LumiNova Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 in stainless steel from $32,000, vacheronconstantin.com Tori Constantin Joins Softball Coaching Staff July 15, 2024 | Softball New assistant coach arrives at the Heights after four seasons at Rhode Island Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin Appoint New CEOs Jérôme Lambert returns as CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre, while Laurent Perves takes the lead role at Vacheron Constantin. 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EditorsApr 25, 2025Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ EarringsDesigner Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy It's the subtle vintage-inspired option people have been waiting for When Jorg Hysek designed the 222 for the brand's 222nd anniversary in 1977 it was probably the most radical departure from Vacheron's design language in the brand's history But it also followed the prevailing winds of every other brand at the time: Audemars Piguet and even IWC had released integrated bracelet sports watches in steel and some were charging more for them than they might for gold watches the slower it is to turn." What happened in 1977 set the brand up for a methodical evolution resulting in their hottest modern collection: the Overseas But now Vacheron has rewound the clock once again It's been a long ride since the yellow gold reissue of the Historiques 222 for the 45th anniversary of the model back in 2022 Most of the watch world loved it – collectors It immediately became very hard to get (though I hear it's been getting easier) It hit all the high notes of a vintage watch but with modern reliability and a few technical and practical improvements over the original many people weren't around for – or maybe missed – the earlier 222 release in 2022  This is intentionally a (mostly) faithful homage to the original In this article, published just a few months after the re-release of the 222 Logan Baker breaks down the resulting craze with several examples coming up at auction the ink was barely dry on the press release before people asked for the watch in steel Not only is steel quite a bit lighter and visually less loud than yellow gold It seemed obvious that Vacheron would know right off the bat that people wanted a steel 222 more than a yellow-gold one Vacheron knew they could sell these like hotcakes I asked a few people at the brand about a steel model They told me things about seven-year product cycles how long it takes to spin up tooling for a new case material (which – to be honest – wouldn't take more than a few days or a week) and the fact they didn't expect such a high demand for the yellow gold they also gave me the impression that they would let the demand for the yellow gold 222 run its course before driving hype up again with a steel model we have the version people have been waiting for Above is the proof in the metal (stamped on the inside end link) No longer just a demand from vintage watch lovers The brand pegged it to their 270th anniversary – I've been told by a few folks at the brand that they have found it particularly important to "do it up" for the "big two-seven-zero." It was a big passion project of former Vacheron CEO (now Cartier CEO) Louis Ferla this is a hell of a way to start the celebrations If you've been following Vacheron for the past few years (or longer) I wasn't concerned about whether or not Vacheron would make a great-wearing but a lot of the success would come down to price The Historiques 222 in yellow gold is $74,000 which is competitive with the 16202BA "Jumbo" Royal Oak in the same material ($80,700) But there is always a chance that any brand knowing the demand they'll have for a highly-anticipated watch The 222 in steel is a prime opportunity to maximize profit I talked with some colleagues about the idea of a 222 in steel and we all agreed on one thing: "The price can't start with a '4'." At $32,000 I didn't have much sticker shock (not that it would make it any easier to get) But compared to the rest of the market at the price (and finishing) It also signals that this isn't 2020/2021 anymore; brands know they can't have their cake and eat it too I'm not saying that Vacheron would do this they offered a solid price for a very nice watch It's also competitive – cheaper than the "Jumbo" Royal Oak in steel It's 28% more expensive than a blue-dialed 41mm Overseas (the yellow gold 222 is 22% more than a pink gold Overseas) but also ostensibly made in smaller quantities it’s more than some gold watches in the brand’s lineup But we know that the pricing of luxury goods isn't simply tied to material cost and labor and if you compare it to other options on the market (which for steel) looks and feels like a new old stock vintage watch Not in the way that dealers say "new old stock," but actually but with all the modern things you'd want – a restomod The dimensions are nearly identical to a vintage "Jumbo" 222 albeit a bit thicker; the original was 7.2mm thick The case and bracelet are brushed (save for the polished chamfered edges) The dial has no intense "fauxtina," just a matte blue finish and slightly off-white accents on the hands and minute markers reminiscent of tritium dials similar to how the gold 222 has a gold dial There have been a number of variants of the original 222 so the blue dial isn’t wrong for the watch But I would imagine that once the success of this piece has run its course this is a modern watch with a modern (well If there was one criticism I could make about the Historiques 222 (whether in steel or gold) the caliber 2455/2 powering the watch is old enough that it could vote in the United States There's nothing particularly wrong with that – if it works it works – but it highlights what you're paying for compared to the Overseas: style and rarity That's not uncommon for a release like this – the Jumbo Royal Oak or Nautilus 5711A isn't far and away more technically outstanding than a 41mm Royal Oak or Aquanaut; they are just "the thing" for small reasons of history But Vacheron is a company with incredible technical abilities and I would love to see them put those skills into the basics as much as they like to with their Les Cabinotiers unique pieces which allows the noticeably thin case profile You can also see the case finishing with the chamfered edges on the bottom of the case as well as the top edge the brand had to sacrifice a bit of power reserve and there's no certification of accuracy given But I wouldn't say any of that is the point This is one of Vacheron's Geneva Seal watches. While most Vacheron watches fulfill the requirements The finishing looks quite nice and matches the demands of a modern consumer which fits with the watch's overall modernized fit and finish The vintage 222 logo makes an appearance on the gold rotor (it would have been on the vintage caseback) where the view of the back doesn't otherwise necessarily remind you that you're looking at a vintage reissue The dial is matte – the 222 is the only watch from the 1970s out of the Holy Trinity brands to skip doing some patterned texture for something simpler Compared to a vintage watch where the color has faded the blue dial pops a bit more and goes darker or lighter depending on the angle of the light and Maltese Cross logo on the dial are all white gold; the markers and hands have SuperLuminova there's a little section near the tip of each that covers about a third of the hand They even use the vintage font for "AUTOMATIC." it's hard to describe how it wears other than comfortably Does it look smaller than you'd expect on the wrist Looking at the photos and down at my wrist the dial size resembles a blue-dialed 36mm Oyster Perpetual where any well-sized integrated sports watch (with the right ratio of thickness to width) will be comfortable the experience of a 222 is slightly more like wearing a cuff than even a Royal Oak does which is a butterfly clasp versus the deployant style of the original 222 from 1977 It's one of the few subtle modernizations that takes advantage of present-day manufacturing technology that can add a bit of elegance to the model I'm not sure if it's due to the shape of the octagonal links but the bracelet of the 222 looks both thinner and wider on the wrist than a 16202 It also features a much less prominently chamfered edge as well But it may just well come down to the fact that the case is 2mm less wide Neither Vacheron nor Patek color match the date windows on their integrated bracelet watches While color matching modernized the 16202 from the 5402 a white date (with subtly serifed font) really drives home a vintage-inspired look No one would have color-matched date windows in 1977 the new release in steel is true enough to the original that it could pass for a vintage example at a glance – date window and all The yellow gold Maltese cross at the bottom right lug seals the deal the second generation felt like it was almost "there." The ideas were coming together but not fully developed Between the new 222 in steel and an Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar overseas you've got a great bookend to the 48-year history that started with Jorg Hysek's design An excuse to post some of my first watch photography for Hodinkee with what I think is still one of the best watches on the market If you're comparison-shopping the new Historiques 222 in steel the most obvious place to start is the other game-changing "Holy Trinity" integrated sports models from the 1970s we're starting with the first and most similarly angular 16202 is the successor to that original ref 5402 and feels pretty close to what you would have bought from Audemars Piguet back in 1972 The still case measures 39mm by 8.1mm (something that's been seared into my brain as my ideal dimensions for an extra-thin sports watch) but there are a few subtle tweaks – like a color-matched date window – that bring it into the 21st Century One of the big upsides of the 16202 versus the Historiques 222 is a newer movement It was last updated (with the release of the 16202) in 2022 to the caliber 7121 measuring 29.6mm by 3.2mm (a bit wider but a bit thinner than the 18-year-old Vacheron movement) with a 55-hour power reserve The Royal Oak might be the one watch that's most reliant on a perfect fit to get the full experience of the amazing balance that makes the reference great (the 222 feels a bit more forgiving) It's also a bit thicker – 9.1mm versus the Jumbo RO at 8.1 or the Jumbo 222 at 7.95 – and the taper of the bracelet also feels a bit more dainty than the 16202 For a while, the Nautilus was the release by which all other integrated steel sports watches were measured. The hype got so out of hand that Patek's CEO Thierry Stern put a stop to it all and canned the steel version of the 5711 in January 2021, though the watch has had a goodbye tour that rivals Elton John's "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" in longevity The release of the 5811G (white gold) came a short year and a half later but it's not the best one-to-one comparison to the new Historiques 222 if only for the case material used 3700 "Jumbo" Nautilus released in 1976 measured 42mm by 7.6mm thick (the second thinnest of the "Holy Trinity" behind the 222) 5811 has gotten a bit thicker (and added a display caseback) the watch measures 41mm by 8.2mm and features a two-part case construction It's also a watch I've yet to see in person making it anecdotally one of the rarest new integrated sports models in the modern era it's twice as expensive as the last serially-produced 5711A ($34,893) I won't get into the debate about the Cubitus design it doesn't have the historical bonafide of the Nautilus but it is currently the entry-level integrated steel sports watch from Patek It's also the widest watch mentioned here – 45 mm from "ear to ear" – but 8.3mm thick 5821/1A features a newer movement as well (same as in the 5711/1A as well as others) so that's a point in its favor over the 222 But it is the most expensive option on the list for a steel watch I've heard it also might be the easiest to get from the watches I've listed above This is the modern successor to the design language developed by Jorg Hysek for the 222 The fluted bezel has been simplified and enlarged the bracelet now features a more scalloped and angular design between links reminiscent of the Maltese cross and the dial has been modernized with a glossy sunburst finish quick-change bracelet is incredibly versatile The size is more modern and probably more well-suited to a broader consumer at 41mm by 10.69mm thick It would be nice to see them make a thinner version as this is the thickest entry-level modern time-only (or time and date) watch from the "big three." The extra-thin perpetual calendar is a straight-up banger at 8.1mm it's also the most affordable option at that level – $25,000 – although the blue dial is exclusive to Vacheron boutiques It also has the lowest premium so far on the secondary market making it one of the easier watches to get despite boutique exclusivity This was a late 2024 entry into IWC's Ingenieur Automatic 40 lineup that we didn't cover on release But since we're looking at a lot of blue-dialed integrated sports watches I figure I'd throw this design into the mix as the most affordable option Gerald Genta designed the Ingenieur SL which was released back in 1976 That makes the 222 the only watch from that era that wasn't born of a brand going all Tchaikovsky-esque with "Variations on a Theme of Integrated Steel Sports Watches" from Genta with a soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields and 100m of water resistance (more than any of the other more heritage-oriented options above) The movement also has 120 hours of power reserve It's funny to say this when it's less than half the price of any other watch on the list I still haven't seen one of the new Ingenieurs in person so if you think this new release deserves a hands-on but it bears repeating that the new steel Historiques 222 won't be easy to get – at least not for quite a while But with people asking over $100,000 for a vintage "Jumbo" 222 it might be worth the wait to try to get one There's one last question I haven't answered I was lucky to have a friend lend me the original re-release so while photographing this at our office; I polled a few of my colleagues the consensus was that the release of the steel 222 highlights how special the watch is in yellow gold It looks so different from other gold options on the market (specifically the 16202BA) that it's hard not to appreciate it the 222 in steel is much more "me" and far more versatile I could wear it daily and not feel too self-conscious about a block of gold on my wrist I also think it's worth noting that the original 222 not only opened the door to the development of the Overseas but it also resulted in a lot of different versions of the watch in different sizes Now that Vacheron opened the door with a new 222 in steel its very possible that the brand has opened the door to even more variety Looking back at the photos of the steel 222, I can't help but enjoy the very idea of it. I'm a big fan of vintage design language and vintage watches in general, but like Ben recently wrote so well, there's something to be said about the practicality and wearability of a modern watch I've been grappling with who I want to be as a collector after admiring the vintage space for such a long time but knowing my money is best spent elsewhere This is the best of both worlds and scratches a different itch than any other comparable options on the market 37mm diameter by 7.95mm thick stainless steel case Vacheron Constantin caliber 2455/2 movement running at 28,800 vibrations per hour with 40 hours of power reserve Exclusive to Vacheron Constantin boutiques Meet the new Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 in steel this Vacheron forms the so-called Holy Trinity of elegant sports watches the Vacheron Constantin 222 (because it celebrated the 222nd anniversary of VC) was designed by a then-young man named Jorg Hysek the 222 was a radical breakaway from its traditional dress watches The 222 included all the classic elements of the genre a bracelet fully integrated within the whole design an ultra-thin movement and the typical combination of luxury and casualness with a 120m water-resistance and yet a thickness of only 7mm based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 920 (like PP and AP) The Jumbo version was a time-and-date watch without seconds that measured 37mm in diameter smaller versions and gold models would be released In 2022, Vacheron Constantin released a highly talked-about and faithful re-edition of the 222. However while the dimensions were almost identical but maybe not what many expected to see… a steel re-edition The recipe with the steel Vacheron Constantin 222 is fairly simple – no complaints here While extremely close visually to the original 1976 version the new Historiques 222 has undergone multiple evolutions to address some of the issues of the vintage watch but also to incorporate modern technologies and materials The most obvious evolution here is the use of stainless steel for the case, bezel and bracelet. For the rest, this steel 222 is technically identical to the gold 222 a case that measures the same 37mm as the vintage watch with an identical shape – a so-called Jumbo case The thickness has increased a bit to 7.95mm primarily due to the modern movement and the presence of a sapphire crystal on the back – which also means that the case is now a traditional 3-piece construction The water-resistance rating has dropped to 50m instead of 120m in the past watch all the elements created by Hysek have been kept and the new steel version retains everything the gold model brought back the original notched bezel with its rather unconventional profile has been retained And while it was done in contrasting white gold on the gold 222 here it is made in contrasting 18k yellow gold with circular brushed surfaces on the bezel horizontally brushed surfaces on the sides and thin polished bevels around the case and the bezel The fit and finish of this steel version are superb as you’d expect from Vacheron Constantin A highly important element of the elegant sports watch category is the integrated bracelet respecting the distinctive design of the vintage 222 the construction has been reworked for better comfort and ergonomics The bracelet’s articulations have been revisited to hide the visible pins and improve comfort on the wrist as it is far more flexible than the vintage watch It is closed by a concealed butterfly clasp but still doesn’t come with micro-adjustment The other main update for this steel edition of the Vacheron Constantin Historiques concerns the dial which moves now to a blue tone and connects with the original steel versions of 1977 and even if the colour used by VC is fairly subdued the shade of blue of this modern edition is slightly brighter and more saturated than in the past It retains straight hour markers and baton hands in gold the matte dial has an applied gold Maltese cross as well as the historical logos and fonts The main evolution that came on the gold model which has been significantly offset from the outer rim of the dial so that it no longer encroaches on the minutes track Under the sapphire caseback is a modern movement, the in-house calibre 2455/2, replacing the old JLC-based movement. There is nothing new here, as everything is identical to the gold 222 relatively compact movement is certified by the Hallmark of Geneva and nicely finished with a solid gold 222-engraved central rotor The movement runs at a modern 4Hz frequency stores about 40h of power reserve and features a quick-set date (which was not the case on the old 222) For more details, please visit Vacheron-Constantin.com What’s going on with the date disc for “22” Also that 40h power reserve capacity is going to be a problem @tee – for the 22 date that’s misaligned it’s all our fault when handling the watch So 35k for a lazy 50m and 40h and no micro-adjust but not so irresistible to justify the price tag This price tag tells why Rolex is sooooooooooooo popular good proportions and very retro feeling while still being modern I know you all think it does but it doesn’t The person who buys this watch will have a rotation and wont care about having to set their watches sometimes The price reflects positioning and how desirable it will be relative to production numbers The price makes sense in their collection also like it or not Can’t they do a color matching date window the dial color is a miss-and definitely not “Historique.” Bring it in a matte black like the original With increased WR and a better power reserve… Another round in the contest of insulting the customers with a watch that is subpar in all aspects but carries a huge price; it might even not be sold out Does anyone notice the bracelet being larger than the lug on the bottom left side At 35.000€ i believe the 16202 st is better choise Arrogance at Richemont seems to be at least par with Patek at this point… The first 222 with blue dial back in the late ’70s had a white date background and all the date windows on their current Overseas models have a white date background so it merely makes this newest 222 fit with that overall design ethos Even Patek continued to do it with the Nautilus and continues with the Aquanaut and now Cubitus… Thing is I think we’ve been spoiled by AP Not only did they decide to change to a colour-match on the later Jumbos away from the white background of the original A series but – and I checked – they put colour-matched date windows on *every single* Royal Oak and Offshore model with date you could say within the Trinity it’s only an AP thing now I will opt for Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 at secondary market Bạn đầu nhìn vào cảm giác nó to hơn 40mm nhưng nhìn lại thông số thì chỉ có 37mm ,không biết lug to lug của nó là bao nhiêu,hoặc lên tay tao(mà nói vậy thôi chứ tao không có khả năng đeo lên) the date window has been moved towards the centre so that it no longer encroaches on the minutes track The vintage font of the «AUTOMATIC» inscription and the Super-LumiNova® coating of the hands and hour-markers (off-white by day and lime green by night) are a nod to the hue of the tritium used in historical timepieces The finishing displays Vacheron Constantin’s eternal attention detail with a combination of vertical satin-brushing and polishing on several elements of the watch Like all of the models in Vacheron Constantin’s Historiques collection the 222 marked an important point in the Maison’s history While retaining the distinctive design – along with the nostalgic charm – of the original the 2025 re-edition in stainless steel is absolutely contemporary embodying the Maison’s core values with sophisticated refinement a sense of casual ease and uncompromising commitment to the quest for excellence which could be viewed as encapsulating the history of watchmaking itself According to Christian Selmoni : “Tracing Vacheron Constantin’s past involves looking back at a large swathe of watchmaking history – and as one of the oldest watchmaking Maisons in continuous operation we undoubtedly have a greater duty of remembrance than any other This has been understood since 1755 and we consider it an important responsibility to preserve and perpetuate this story for future generations with a multitude of written and photographic documents that testify to all the details of the Manufacture’s production over the centuries and retrace the Maison’s history in the context of its international expansion There are also period tools and components as well as a private collection of more than 1,600 timepieces representing a primer on watchmaking styles through the ages.” Vacheron Constantin has chosen four sacred animals from Asian tradition to represent the seasons: the Azure Dragon for spring; the Vermilion Bird for summer; the White Tiger for autumn; and the Black Tortoise for winter Presented in 42mm white or pink gold cases these unique pieces are powered by the ultra-thin automatic calibre 2160 with a peripheral rotor Their wood marquetry dials are graced by the ballet of the tourbillon at 6 o’clock Ode to the Four Guardians “Azure Dragon” Tourbillon – reference 6040C/000G-153C – 42mm x 11.40mm white gold case – sapphire caseback – automatic calibre 2160 – 2.5Hz – 80-hour power reserve – hours small seconds on the tourbillon – wood marquetry dial – alligator leather strap and gold folding buckle Ode to the Four Guardians “Vermilion Bird” Tourbillon – reference 6040C/000R-152C – 42mm x 11.40mm pink gold case – sapphire caseback – automatic calibre 2160 – 2.5Hz – 80-hour power reserve – hours Ode to the four Guardians “White Tiger” Tourbillon – reference 6040C/000R-155C – 42mm x 11.40mm pink gold case – sapphire caseback – automatic calibre 2160 – 2.5Hz – 80-hour power reserve – hours Ode to the Four Guardians “Black Tortoise” Tourbillon – reference 6040C/000G-157C – 42mm x 11.40mm white gold case – sapphire case back – automatic calibre 2160 – 2.5Hz – 80-hour power reserve – hours Among the most spectacular features of these two unique pieces inspired by the Greek God Chronos is Providing a fascinating representation of the passage of time it features a double retrograde time display and is regulated by a bi-axial tourbillon with a spherical hairspring the tourbillon owes its “Armillary” name to its construction based on an armillary sphere like the one incorporated in an astronomic clock made by clockmaker Antide Janvier in the 18th century One version of the movement has an anthracite colour and is decorated with hand-guilloché clous de Paris while the other is blue with a hand-guilloché geometric pattern The engraving on the 45mm gold cases is inspired by ancient Greek friezes Ode to “Chronos” Armillary Tourbillon – reference 9890C/000R-202C – 45mm x 20.10mm engraved pink gold case – sapphire caseback – manual calibre 1990 – 2.5Hz – 60-hour power reserve – retrograde hours and minutes small seconds on the tourbillon – satin finished gold dial – alligator leather strap and gold folding buckle Ode to “Infinite Time” Armillary Tourbillon – reference 9890C/000G-151C – 45mm x 20.10mm engraved pink gold case – sapphire caseback – manual calibre 1990 – 2.5Hz – 60-hour power reserve – retrograde hours and minutes these three unique pieces represent divinities of Shintoism: Izinagi The 36mm models Ode to Konohanasakuya-hime and Ode to Amaterasu are powered by the automatic calibre 1440 The 40mm Ode to Izanagi has a white gold case with an officer caseback revealing the automatic 2460 calibre Ode to Izanagi – reference 2400C/000G-160C – 40mm x 9.40mm white gold case  – officer caseback – automatic calibre 2460 – 4Hz – 40-hour power reserve – hours and minutes – 18K gold dial hand-engraved and hand-enamelled Grand Feu miniature painting representing Izanagi – alligator leather strap and gold pin buckle Ode to Konohanasakuya-hime – reference 1420C/000G-162C – 36mm x 8mm white gold case – sapphire caseback – automatic calibre 1440 – 4Hz – 42-hour power reserve – hours and minutes – 18K gold dial representing Konohanasakuya-hime – satin strap and gold pin buckle Ode to Amaterasu – reference 1420C/000J-161C – 36mm x 8mm 2N yellow gold case – sapphire caseback – automatic calibre 1440 – 4Hz – 42-hour power reserve – hours and minutes – 18K gold dial representing Amaterasu – satin strap and gold pin buckle The retail prices are not communicated but are “available on demand”. For more information, please visit www.vacheron-constantin.com February 19 a reboot of one of the most sought after pieces from their archive.  the 222 blended the versatility and durability of a sports watch with the expressive lines and refined details of a dress watch The 222’s key features were an integrated bracelet and a fluted bezel stamped with Vacheron’s signature Maltese cross Despite the robustness and relatively large diameter of its “jumbo” stainless steel case the 222 was an easily wearable 7mm thick thanks to the ultra-thin Calibre 1120 the world’s thinnest full-rotor automatic movement at the time As with all important pieces of horological history original examples of the 222 are both rare and expensive making the new Historiques 222 something of a value proposition (relatively speaking) at $43,000 While its stainless steel case is — like the original — an extremely wearable 37mm across the dial and 7.95mm thick this re-edition boasts several important technical and ergonomic improvements Foremost among these is an ultra-slim in-house automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve and a Geneva Seal — the ultimate mark of Swiss watchmaking finesse It also offers the benefits of a redesigned bracelet and a sapphire case back through which one can admire Vacheron Constantin’s renowned movement finishing Vacheron Constantin’s Style and Heritage Director the new 222 is just the beginning of a year-long anniversary celebration that — if previous anniversaries are any indication — has several more impressive releases in store Vacheron Constantin has taken each decade anniversary as an opportunity to talk about its history and the values handed down through the centuries,” he says “Each of these anniversaries is marked by timepieces that perfectly illustrate the values cultivated within the Manufacture since 1755.” Selmoni cites previous anniversary year releases including the 2005 Tour de l’Île whose 16 complications set a new record for wristwatches whose 57 functions earned it the title of the most complicated watch ever made Discover the Historiques 222 at Vacheron Constantin Ora Ïto returns with a recent Vacheron Constantin timepiece design under the Patrimony collection The self-winding watch shines in yellow gold with infinite ripples expanding out from the center Gone are the numbers or symbols for the minutes as Ora Ïto replaces them with ‘pearls’ or dots colored in yellow gold sharp-tip pyramids point back to the dial’s center displays the date along with the metallic transferred Vacheron Constantin logo under the sapphire crystal It’s a vintage-style monochrome watch designed by the familiar collaborator of the Swiss brand and the recent model marks the 20th anniversary of the Patrimony collection Ora Ïto draws influences from astronomy for the design of his Vacheron Constantin Patrimony watch. In the French designer’s words the circular movement of light refers to the Baily’s Beads ‘a spectacular phenomenon that accompanies an eclipse of the sun by the moon,’ he adds It’s through this that the golden ripples and pearls for the minutes appear on the yellow gold dial harking back to the constant motion in the galaxy When owners flip their yellow gold Patrimony watch they find a caseback made of clear sapphire crystal letting them see the inside of their timepiece There’s no need to manually wind the self-winding watch and striped patterns appear on the watch’s bridges a nod to the Côte de Genève style which is part of the self-winding mechanism is made of openworked gold to reveal the Maltese cross symbol Ora Ïto returns with a recent Vacheron Constantin timepiece design under the Patrimony collection The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony watch by Ora Ïto is also inspired by the aesthetics of the 1950s It’s also the era when the Swiss brand released its Calibre 1003 in 1955 dubbed the world’s thinnest movement at the time coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the company Vacheron Constantin launched the Patrimony collection Some of the key features the series is based on include a round case with a slim bezel and a refined dial that’s slightly domed The slender and curved hour markers with baton-style hands are present too as well as a ‘pearl’ minute track which is a decorative style for marking the minutes around the edge of the dial He revives the 1957 Patrimony model for his recent design His touch comes through with the concentric circles in the dial a distinctive feature that can set it apart from its predecessors the yellow gold Vacheron Constantin Patrimony watch by Ora Ïto is priced at 34,000 GBP the self-winding watch shines in yellow gold the 1957 Patrimony model that inspired the recent timepiece in yellow gold Patrimony – Référence 6187 (1957) design: Ora Ïto | @ora_ito brand: Vacheron Constatin | @vacheronconstantin happening now! partnering with antonio citterio, AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function, but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style, context, and personal expression. lunch and a seven-course tasting menu for dinner (with accompanying wines) if you like to geek out on watch complications this new Solaria Ultra Grand Complication is the mother of all complicated watches this model is the most complex wristwatch ever made It features pretty much every complication that exists including five astronomical functions never previously combined in watchmaking This one-of-a-kind timepiece is part of Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers workshop which is exclusively dedicated to unique pieces and bespoke projects It is the result of eight years of research and development the watchmaker's highly esteemed heritage director this technical mastery has been powerfully expressed in the field of time measurement chronographic and astronomical indications The Solaria Ultra – sounds badass too – is part of this long tradition of timepieces dedicated to the intricacies of our fascinating solar system the watch will also give you all the info you will ever need on the sun: its position Talk about a conversation starter at a party one of the major difficulties was to fit all of these in a reasonably sized case that would be comfortable on the wrist Another challenge was to display such a large number of functions in a very limited space and to incorporate into the watch case the multiple pushers and levers required to activate them but the watchmakers at Vacheron Constantin managed to make it all fit in a white gold 45mm case the miniaturisation aspect is particularly impressive and demonstrates how state-of-the-art manufacturing and conception techniques are today at the service of our traditional watchmaking art,” added Selmoni the most impressive complication of the Solaria is the temporal tracking of celestial objects a totally innovative function which allows you to select on the watch’s sky chart a star or a constellation and then using the split-seconds chronograph to calculate the number of hours you will have to wait until the star or the constellation appears in the sky above you at night This new function has no equivalent within the whole horological universe.” The work on this timepiece was pushed to the extreme While we like to picture the watchmakers having to carefully handle thousands of tiny components (imagine when one drops on the ground) that’s not even all of it: those tiny components were decorated using nine types of finishes “Vacheron Constantin did the impossible once again with this very complex timepiece,” says Mike Wüthrich of Wandering Watches “It’s not only the world breaking record of 41 complications But it’s putting 41 complications into a 45mm by 15mm case Not to mention how gorgeous the dial is and the positioning of the functions are intelligently placed let’s not forget the constellation at the back this timepiece is all about astronomy highlighting the sun this is already the winner of Watches and Wonders release for me There is a reason why they call it the ultra grand complication One can only imagine that there’s no ceiling for Vacheron’s vision.” this kind of insane masterpiece reminds us of that watchmakers are just dreamers that keep pushing the limits which celeb watch collector will geek out on this piece the most Read more about all the sickest new releases from Watches and Wonders here.