Jamie Weiss
Watchmakers love celebrating anniversaries, but not all anniversaries make just as meaningful as other years. However, 2025 marks the 270th anniversary of Vacheron Constantin, and the respected brand is the oldest continuous watchmaker in the world. Aptly, 2025 has seen several serious watch celebrations debuted by the Maison – the 222 revived in stainless steel, the most complicated watch ever made, the special hand guilloche memorial dial, enters the range.
Vacheron Constantin is also in its 270th year. “The Quest: Excellence of 270” features a new public exhibition held in major cities around the world, commemorating the maison’s peak of nearly three centuries of mechanical watchmaking.
Hosted in Machine Hall, a previously used industrial building that had transformed into one of Sydney’s most impressive event spaces, Vacheron Constantin has exploited the high ceilings and expanse of Machine Hall to create a truly quest-like journey at the heart of what makes VC such a fascinating brand. As you pass through the cross-adorned Maltese doors, a dramatic ceiling-length art piece invites you to the depths of the hall. The exhibition is divided into four areas.
As you descend the spiral staircase, you will meet a real treat: a clock and an arrangement of historically significant Vacchelon Constantine watches last exhibited in Geneva of wonders. These highlights include the 1959 ultra-thin “Disco Volante” pocket watch. Two 19th century pocket watches, one very complex calendar model, another exquisite example of Flinqué dial jump time. Like fragments of the legendary Chinese constellations collection of 2024 Métiedo Art.
Of course, there are many opportunities on hand to have modern high-end Vacheron Constantin Watch, including the new Traditionnelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar, the version of the long-lasting calendar Ultra-Tin Skeleton overseas, and Indemand History 222.
For those who are not dyed with wool, there is still plenty to enjoy at the exhibition. One exhibition that really stood out to me was the 3D cutaway collapse of the Les Cabinotiers Berkley Grand Complycision’s Calibre 3752, the world’s most complicated clock movement. Visualize each layer of this groundbreaking clock movement and show how complex it is… There’s no better way for Vachulan Constantin to show how singular it is.
Vacheron Constantin’s “The Quest: 270 Years of Excellence” exhibition is open to the public from Wednesday, June 11th to Friday, June 13th, 2025, at 183-185 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000. Entry is free – all you have to do is register online here. Whether you’re a VC enthusiast or a beginner who wants to learn more about watchmaking from one of the best in the game, it’s something you don’t want to miss.
