Vacheron Constantin Historiques Américaine 1921

Vacheron Constantin is one of the finest watchmakers in the world, with a history dating back more than a quarter of a millennium.  In the 1920s, the maison designed several watches for the American market featuring unique, angled dials and gorgeous Breguet numerals. In 2021, it released new watches based on this classical design — timepieces whose design is so close to that of the originals that it’s difficult to tell the two generations apart, despite a gulf of 100 years.  This particular Historiques Américaine 1921 features a 36.5mm 18k white gold case, a sapphire crystal, a Maltese cross signed crown, a silvered-brass dial with Breguet numerals and matching handset, and running seconds at 3 o’clock — a reminder of a design that likely made use of pocket watch movements. It’s paired to a brown alligator leather strap with a matching white gold Maltese cross signed pin buckle. In very good condition throughout and showing little signs of wear, it comes complete with its factory memorabilia.  While you might look upon this Vacheron as merely a simple dress watch, it’s much more than that — indeed, it’s a reminder of the importance of the North American market to a thoroughly Swiss company, and a watch made in appreciation of the relationship to its clientele.  And it doesn’t hurt that it’s one hell of a looker, either!