Vacheron Constantin’s tradition as a producer of women’s watches started with the 19th century, when the first pocket-watches especially made for women appeared. In 1912, an era of innovation and progress, a Swiss manufacture of prestige watches decided to make a break from the round case for watches and became one of the first watch manufacturers to produce the tonneau case. Now, in 2013 Swiss brand has dedicated most of its new watches to women, including three major collections, Patrimony, Malte and Métiers d’Art, presented at SIHH 2013!
The Malte collection consists of three models dressed in pink or white gold which signal their pedigree by focussing on the essential attribute: the appreciation of time, a loyal companion by day and a trusted confidante at night. They are a contemporary reinterpretation of a classic tonneau-shaped ladies’ model that combines traditional watchmaking elegance with the glitter of the world of fine jewelry.
With the Malte Lady, Vacheron Constantin wished to pay tribute to all those with a preference for diminutively sized watches, who are thus treated to the new Malte Lady featuring a case measuring 28.30 x 38.75 mm, curved to hold the most delicate wrist, and which houses the calibre 1202 quartz movement.
In these models, the diamonds that highlight the curves of the case (50 round-cut diamonds, approx. 0.96 carat) frame a paved tonneau of diamonds in the centre of the brushed silver-toned dial (140 baguette-cut diamonds, approx. 9.50 carats). Hour-markers along with Roman numerals for the 6 and 12 o’clock indications elegantly accentuate the diamond setting around the bezel, creating a striking contrast between horological classicism and a jewellery sparkle.
This elegant and refined gemset watch comes with two strap versions in Mississippiensis alligator leather or satin which make a ladylike connexion to the buckle in the shape of a half Maltese cross, which can be plain or set with diamonds.