Strength Of A Woman

Vacheron Constantin extends its heritage of creating evocative mechanical timepieces for ladies into the modern era with a stellar line-up of new feminine watches.

- Candice Chan

Vacheron Constantin has long recognised that ladies — and not just gents — appreciate exquisite watch mechanisms. This knowledge was what gave the watchmaker a good head start in its pursuit of the fairer sex. Since the 18th century, it has made several unique commissions for women, with one clear standout: A pocket watch made for Elisabeth Pauline Ottilie Louise de Wied. The Romanian queen was very precise with her requests, listing down her demands and instructions in a chain of letters, which has been faithfully preserved by the watchmaker.

For more than 200 years, Vacheron Constantin has tried to best address the question of what women want. From decorated pendant watches equipped with striking mechanisms — a popular complication among women of stature in the 18th century — to transformable pieces disguised as jewellery, they were designed to cater to the evolving needs and tastes of women. One thing’s for sure: A dial full of diamonds isn’t enough; women want more than just a pretty face.