To say that Vacheron Constantin is a venerable figure in the contemporary watch industry would be an understatement. No other firm can match its 264 years of continuous production, or can boast endorsements of quality throughout modern history that range from U.S. presidents like Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower, to members of the British Royal Family like Princess Diana of Wales and Queen Elizabeth II. It?s this longevity and status that makes appraising Vacheron Constantin?s eminence a simple affair and has affirmed its place among the ?Holy Trinity? of watchmaking.
This horological triumvirate is completed by Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, two of watchmaking?s most lucrative and well-established firms. The connotation of greatness that these three brands share comes largely from two factors: All three have run in uninterrupted operation since their founding centuries ago (Vacheron is the oldest by 84 years), and all have consistently produced haute horlogerie timepieces without bowing to short-lived trends or fads. In other words, a watch produced by any of the three is backed by the assurance of superlative quality reached through hundreds of years of watchmaking expertise. The dial of the Les Cabinotiers Wild Panda is entirely handcrafted through wood marquetry using over 300 pieces of wood.
But how does a marque go about maintaining that reputation of pioneering excellence rather than relying on the privilege of name recognition" All three brands hav...