January 8, 2009, Hong Kong- Vacheron Constantin hosted an exclusive gala dinner at the Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel to celebrate the launch of the Quai de l’Ile collection, a unique dimension in the world of Haute Horlogerie.
In attendance were more than 250 watch enthusiasts and watch journalists from the region, who were invited to share in Vacheron Constantin’s genuine passion in watch-making and experience the innovative personalization service that extends the boundaries in timepiece excellence and exclusivity.

Prior to the gala dinner, guests were attracted by the triptyches in the foyer, a special touch screen device that enables the guests to experience in essence the ultimate luxury provided by the personalisation service of the new collection. With the Quai de l’Ile line and its revolutionary case comprising seven main parts, clients can choose from three metals, three dials and two movement finishings to create timepieces that best represent who they are, in an infinite number of possible combinations.

Photo © Vacheron Constantin

Stepping into the Ballroom, guests were immersed into a trendy, urban atmosphere that was designed and furnished especially to match the contemporary metropolitan themed Quai de I’lle Collection. Vacheron Constantin created one of the largest indoor video systems seen in Hong Kong for the launch of the new range of models, turning the room into an urban environment that allowed the audiences to travel around the world of Vacheron Constantin and learn more about the diverse experiences depicted by the new collection. The themes of urban, contemporary, stylish, high-tech, security and personalization were woven into a tapestry of moving images to create a conceptual detailed world for the guests to indulge themselves in.

Vacheron Constantin created a large scale innovative content to install a state-of-the-art high resolution video system using 12 high quality video projectors for the images to be displayed through, giving everyone in the room a 270o view of animation, which surrounded the guests in a beautiful ambience. As the night evolved, the images moved from creative interpretations of Vacheron Constantin to the watches themselves. Sometimes abstract modern art, sometimes real, the images provided a constant, rich visual feast. A moment is taken to celebrate the launch of the new Quai de l’Ile range intended to wow the audience as images appear from within a 3D world demonstrating the innovation of the extraordinary watches of Vacheron Constantin. As the night progressed, the last video of a spectacular night scene brought the audience to the finale.

Table setup - © Vacheron Constantin

The multilayered design of the new collection is reflected in the elegant long dining tables, where the detailed graphics of the face and bezel of the watch are printed directly onto several sheets of glass that in turn are stacked to achieve a multilayered effect, mirroring that of the actual timepiece glass. This treatment spectacled the new models in extreme close-up so that the detailing of the various faces and bezel options are showcased in a larger than life fashion, whilst retaining the spirit of the multilayered nature of the piece.

Marc Guten and Yann Bouillonnec - © Vacheron Constantin

Mr. Marc Guten, International Director of Vacheron Constantin, excited about the launch of the latest collection welcomed all the guests with a warm speech that led to the unveiling ceremony of the new collection, “Vacheron Constantin has always favoured the creation of timepieces with a unique character. It is not by accident that Vacheron Constantin has come to symbolise the ultimate in luxury that is represented by the personalisation of timepieces. It is the spirit and with respect for those values cherished by Vacheron Constantin, and because we have mastered the technology we are able to offer a concept of personalisation. It is my honour to see everyone here tonight to witness the launch of our latest invasion, Quai de l’Ile comes with a security system that is revolutionary. Flouting technical constraints, Vacheron Constantin has pushed the demands of security to their very limits by creating semi-transparent dials that are an innovative combination of the world of watch making and the most sophisticated and secret Security Printing technologies. Quai de l’Ile represents a new and truly pioneering concept in the field of Haute Horlogerie.”

This resolutely contemporary watch offers customers the opportunity to create their own personalized watch by choosing its components from a large selection of options. With the most advanced technology, customers can easily compose and order their own personalized Quai de l’Ile models at designated Vacheron Constantin retail locations worldwide. First, the personalized watch is envisaged and designed by the future buyer with the aid of an interactive tactile screen developed by Vacheron Constantin and a set of material and colour samples. It then enters its production cycle in Geneva and will be delivered within a few weeks, as agreed on beforehand with the client.

The Boutique Vacheron Constantin en l'Ile in 1906 - © Vacheron constantin

About Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest watch manufacturer, has enjoyed uninterrupted activity since its founding in 1755. A full-fledged watch Manufacturer, it masters the complete creative process, ranging from research and development of movements, the aesthetic definition of each of its models, the full set of stages in designing and making the watch components, through to entirely hand-crafted finishing. Vacheron Constantin – a branch of the Richemont Group since 1996 – runs two production sites with complementary activities: the new site in Plan-les-Ouates/Geneva, a contemporary Manufacture and international brand headquarters where the company moved to since August 2004; and the “Ateliers” in the Vallée de Joux, which is home to the movement Research and Development unit and to the manufacturing of the components of mechanical movements. Vacheron Constantin currently employs around 500 people worldwide, including almost 400 watchmakers, engineers, designers, craftsmen and staff in Switzerland. The company has developed its business in almost 80 countries around the world, distributed through 18 exclusive boutiques, as well as a network of less than 500 carefully selected points of sale.