The watch around history's famous wrists, from Bonaparte to Truman

It seems the person whose great pride as a traveler is packing all that he can’t leave behind in nothing more than carry-on luggage met with his undoing in Singapore. About 20 minutes into checking in, one of the local PR people was telling us how our days would go: “There will be a press conference later… Free time for dinner… And then the black tie event tomorrow… Why yes, a black tie affair. Everyone will be expected to be in black tie.” Yes, black tie.

While this was news to me and a few other journalists suddenly weighing the black tie shopping options in the city, it shouldn’t have been. We were, after all, enjoying the luxurious amenities of Singapore’s Ritz Carlton for Vacheron Constantin, one of the oldest and most prestigious Swiss watch manufacturers in the world.

The master gem setter: Watchmaking set-ups around the exhibit gave museum-goers a preview of the craftsmanship Vacheron is known for.

Widely considered among watch connoisseurs as one of the best traditional watchmakers in the world, the 255-year-old Geneva-based company prides itself in craftsmanship based on tradition and centuries-honed technical know-how. From all-conquering Napoleon Bonaparte to the famously unassuming US president Harry Truman, this watch has been around — around some of history’s most famous wrists, that is. Sold in almost 80 countries, employing over 400 people worldwide, it has consistently elevated watchmaking to art while continuously building the brand. Today, Vacheron Constantin is its own empire.

The world-conquering empire is a good reason why, on an otherwise nondescript Wednesday afternoon, the lobby of Ritz Carlton was suddenly filled with the sleek, stylish and, at times, downright straight fashion press from all over the world. From blonde and ethereal Europeans who looked straight out of a Sartorialist-photographed street to some pretty avant-garde Asian press, all styles converged for Vacheron, it seemed. Because while there were more than a few Lost in Translation-like “lip my stockings” misunderstandings among the reporters, that lobby full of reporters from the world over was testament that style — specifically, Vacheron Constantin’s classic style — was universal. From jeans-and-shirt guys to Lady Gaga-baiting fashion fame monsters, no one could deny the craftsmanship and art of the watches.

2011 sees the empire turning its gaze towards Asia. In what is perhaps a testament to the purchasing power of the region’s watch connoisseurs, Vacheron Constantin brought some of its historic timepieces to Singapore for “Treasures of Vacheron Constantin: A Legacy of Watchmaking Since 1755,” an exhibition held at the National Museum of Singapore that, true to its name, aimed to exhibit the brand’s storied heritage.

Watches as Art

While some might scoff at the idea of timepieces as art, Chor Lin Lee, director of the National Museum of Singapore, insists that the value of their craftsmanship and their value as artifacts, teaching us about the world, make the case for Vacheron Constantin. “This is indeed the first time the National Museum of Singapore has worked with a non-museum,” she said in a press conference preceding the grand opening. “We feel that this has been such a delightful experience. We’ve learned so much from the house of Vacheron Constantin. Through the history of watchmaking, we’ve learned a great deal more about your (Vacheron Constantin’s) industry and, for that matter, world history.” And it was art, even to those who don’t usually brandish watches themselves. As a watchless Chor Lin explained, even someone who knows nothing about watches can appreciate good craftsmanship and the history behind the timepieces.

“This first major exhibition of ‘Treasures of Vacheron Constantin: A Legacy of Watchmaking Since 1755’ marks the start of a long journey into the cultural richness of our history, one that echoes that of Haute Horlogerie,” says Juan Carlos Torres, CEO of Vacheron Constantin. “A story that remains one of the finest demonstrations of a community working together, where every timepiece is the result of a symbiosis of talents and the extraordinary men and women who combine their expertise in pursuit of a common goal.”

What made it more special for Chor Lin was the collaboration of two authorities — theirs on curating the event and Vacheron Constantin’s on watches. “We were able to bring our know-how in exhibition-making with their know-how in watchmaking, with the most prestigious watchmaking house in Europe,” she says. They plotted the exhibit as an educational journey through the history of watchmaking. Beginning as a tribute to the spirit of the artisans cabinotiers of the 18th century, the exhibition is a meditation on the evolution of the measurement of time, of its crafts, and artistic influences — “a trilogy that defines the history of Vacheron Constantin since its foundation,” of course.

Opening Night

On opening night, “Treasures of Vacheron Constantin” opened its doors to reveal 180 heritage pieces from the Vacheron archives. Designed like a journey into the world of 18th-century watchmaking artisans, visitors were invited to travel back in time through the 180 exceptional pieces from the heritage of the Geneva-based manufacture, displayed over more than 600 meters.

As a tour through the brand’s history, one can trace the changes in the watches through the years. For example, there was a significant shift from pocket watches to wristwatches in the early 20th century. Still, some things remain. The obsessive attention to detail and the quality of craftsmanship is evident in the way that the finest details of the pieces are still evident.

Perhaps one of the main attractions is the 1774 silver pocket watch, said to be the first watch made by the founder. “It is our duty to share this heritage, representing an invaluable and lasting impression on history,” Juan Carlos explained.

Graced by guest of honor Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Singapore, distinguished guests were also addressed by Juan-Carlos Torres, CEO of Vacheron Constantin. Joined by His Excellency Jörg Al Reding, Switzerland Ambassador to Singapore, the exhibition was officially opened with an elegant ribbon-cutting ceremony. Guests were then invited to tour the exhibition.

It was a great sight: the pieces taking their rightful places as art and a world’s worth of press, special guests, and watch connoisseurs in their best black ties for the watches. GQ once said about watches: “Not only does it punctuate an outfit; it also says something about who you are — or at least, who you aspire to be.” And we really should have known. Vacheron Constantin is the kind of watch you dress up for — whether on your wrist or in a glass case in front of you.

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In the Philippines, Vacheron Constantin is available in Rustan’s Department Store, 2nd floor Silver Vault, Rustan’s Makati, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City