Vacheron Constantin Égérie, a Luxurious New Watch Collection Just for Women

Named after Egeria, the Roman water nymph, Égérie is Vacheron Constantin’s latest women’s collection. No doubt chosen to evoke the classic temperament of this new collection, Égérie has also taken inspiration from the world of Haute Couture with elegant, pleated designs on the dial. Available in two different case sizes, three different case materials (including a high jewellery diamond pavé version), with moon phases or date and Vacheron Constantin’s versatile strap-changing system, the collection gets off to a promising start and will be available from March 1, 2020.

Background

Unlike other collections at Vacheron, like the Overseas or even the Patrimony that cater to both sexes, Égérie is clearly dedicated to women. However, this is not the first time Égérie makes its appearance. First launched in 2003 with a curvaceous, tonneau-shaped case, the only surviving attribute of the former Égérie are the slanted Arabic numerals that appeared on some of the models.

Family Traits

Housed in feminine, pebble-shaped cases with smooth, polished contours and 58 round-cut diamonds on the bezel, the first members of the Égérie collection are a 35mm self-winding model with date and a 37mm model with moon phases, both offered in 18k pink gold or stainless steel cases.

The first details that catch your attention are the off-centred date or moon phases, the odd position of the crown and the intriguing texture of the dial (omitting the full-set diamond version). Vacheron Constantin has always had a penchant for creative, off-centred displays and the Égérie continues this tradition by placing the phases of the moon or the date – depending on the model – in a circular diamond-set frame between 1 and 3 o’clock. An unusual position, it adds immediate interest and originality to the dial. This off-centred feature on the dial is accentuated again on the case with the crown at 2 o’clock, highlighted with either a cabochon-cut moonstone or a rose-cut diamond.

All five models also share the elegant Arabic hour numerals that slope to the right and are made from red or white gold and applied to the dial. The numerals are quite similar to those used on the Les Cabinotiers “La Musique du Temps” model. The delicate leaf-shaped hour and minute hands indicate the hours and minutes and a thin central seconds hand points to the peripheral seconds track, also picked out with a pleated textile motif.

Inspired by the volume and elegance of pleated fabrics and the delicate needlework of Haute Couture creations, the dial features a wonderful series of textures. To achieve this fabric effect, the silvery opaline background of the dial has been decorated in the Manufacture’s guillochage workshops using the historical ‘tapestry’ technique. Artisans rely on a 1904 pantograph-type machine to reproduce the remarkable drapery on the dial.

Égérie Self-winding 35mm

I’m surprised Vacheron decided to call this model ‘self-winding’; the moon phase model is also ‘self-winding’ and the name doesn’t allude to the main feature of this watch, which is its date window.

The circular diamond-set frame for the date function is located between 1 and 3 o’clock. An incision in the dial reveals a lower disc indicating the odd days of the month (same slanting Arabic numerals as hour markers), interspersed with dots for the even days and an arrow-shaped marker.

An in-house automatic movement – calibre 1088 – offers an autonomy of 40 hours. The movement and its openworked gold rotor in the shape of a Maltese cross can be viewed through the sapphire caseback. The 18k pink gold models come with three interchangeable leather straps (raspberry pink, night blue and candied chestnut). The steel model is paired with a polished metal bracelet.

Quick facts: 35mm diameter x 9.32mm thick – 18k pink gold or stainless steel – bezel set with 58 round-cut diamonds – crown set with moonstone – 30m water-resistance – opaline dial with pleated pattern – applied gold ring with 34 round-cut diamonds framing date – automatic manufacture calibre 1088 – 28,800vph – 40h power reserve – hours, minutes, central seconds, date – gold model delivered with 3 interchangeable leather straps with pink gold ardillon buckle – steel model with steel bracelet and triple-blade folding clasp – ref. 4605F/000R-B496 pink gold EUR 29,800 – ref. 4605F/110A-B495 steel EUR 21,400

Égérie Moon Phase 37mm

A slightly larger case size than the self-winding (date) model, and also available in steel or pink gold, the moon phase is off-centred and highlighted by circular diamond-set frame. The moon, in either white or pink gold, transits against a starry blue night sky. The novelty of this particular moon phase is the incorporation of billowing white mother-of-pearl clouds.

The natural iridescence of mother-of-pearl plays beautifully with the light. All the other details on the watch, including the strap options are identical to the self-winding model. The movement powering this moon phase model is Vacheron’s in-house calibre 1088 L with a 40h power reserve and refined finishes.

Quick facts: 37mm diameter x 10.08mm thick – 18k pink gold or stainless steel – bezel set with 58 round-cut diamonds – crown set with moonstone – 30m water-resistance – opaline dial with pleated pattern – applied gold ring with 34 diamonds for moon phases – automatic manufacture calibre 1088 L – 28,800vph – 40h power reserve – hours, minutes, central seconds, moon phases – gold model delivered with 3 interchangeable leather straps and pink gold ardillon buckle – steel model with steel bracelet and triple-blade folding clasp – ref. 8005F/000R-B498 pink gold EUR 34,600 – ref. 8005F/120A-B497 steel EUR 26,200

Égérie Moon Phase Diamond Pavé

A high jewellery interpretation of the Égérie moon phase model, this diamond pavé watch comes in a 37mm white gold case with 292 diamonds. The dial is composed of concentric circles and decorated with an additional 510 diamonds. Instead of a cabochon moonstone, the crown features a large rose-cut diamond. The moon is made from mother-of-pearl and the clouds are translucent, thanks to the use of sapphire crystal. Two straps are provided with this model, one in leather and another one in satin for more formal occasions, both provided with a diamond-set pin buckle.

Quick facts: 37mm diameter x 10.53mm thick – 18k white gold set with 292 round-cut diamonds – crown set with rose-cut diamond – water-resistant to 30m – full-set dial with 510 round-cut diamonds – mother-of-pearl moon and sapphire crystal clouds – automatic manufacture calibre 1088 L – 28,800vph – 40h power reserve – hours, minutes, central seconds, moon phases – delivered with a blue leather and a blue satin strap and 2 white gold ardillon buckles set with 21 diamonds – ref. 8006F/000G-B499 EUR 65,500

For more information, please consult vacheron-constantin.com.