An exhibition honoring the Genevan brand’s history at Harrods, London, open until Thursday, November 13th
Within the opulence of Harrods’ luxury London department store is a joyous journey through Vacheron Constantin’s eclectic history. Even by the northeastern entrance is a suspended forced-perspective Maltese Cross with “270” emblazoned upon it. This represents 270 years of Vacheron Constantin’s continuous operation, the longest of any watch brand. Winding through the halls of Harrods brings you to the Fine Watch Room towards Vacheron Constantin’s boutique. A dazzling exhibition displays The Quest: 270 Years of Seeking Excellence. I visited the immersive experience to soak in Vacheron Constantin’s impact on fine watchmaking.
The interactive book detailing Vacheron’s heritage and story is the best place to start — from the humble foundation in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron to the letter from his grandson, Jacques-Barthélemy Vacheron, appointing François Constantin as associate in 1819. Each page turn activates a pictorial description of the events projected on the screen behind. This leads right up to the modern day, with the unveiling of this year’s stainless steel Historiques 222, a re-edition of a 1970s icon. The interactive book showcases the exquisite craftsmanship and dedication that enable VC’s longevity.
The Quest: 270 Years of Seeking Excellence
Leading down the grand staircase to the ground level introduces a new display. The Quest allows all visitors to enter any date of importance and the relevant location. Upon completion, the device projects a map of the constellations on the elliptical ceiling above. This demonstrates how time and our cosmos are linked and represent our personalized experiences. Within the Vacheron Constantin boutique are historical timepieces from the private collection of the famed Swiss brand. On display is everything from the 18K pink gold pocket watch with jumping hours from 1827 to the fascinating Fantasy Milanese 18K yellow gold bracelet watch from 1953. All are tremendous timepieces that seem to span eras. But I was also eagerly anticipating the newest wristwatch from Vacheron Constantin.
The Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Quest of Time is a stunning watch that deserves hands-on experience. The 20-piece limited edition pays homage to the phenomenal La Quête du Temps on temporary installation at the Louvre in Paris until November 12th. As that impressive but gigantic clock is a pièce unique and not for sale, the Métiers d’Art Tribute allows esteemed collectors to own the spirit of its inspiration. A day out at Harrods is always a worthy experience when stopping off in London. But with the festive season approaching and plenty of shopping, the Vacheron Constantin exhibition is a perfect way to unwind and celebrate the brand’s contribution to watchmaking.
The exhibition is open until Thursday, November 13th, with the Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Quest of Time available to see (or purchase) until Monday, November 10th, 2025. You can learn more about the exhibition here. Also worth checking out is the Louvre, perhaps when the dust settles, to see the fantastic La Quête du Temps on display until November 12th.