To mark the 100th anniversary of the Historiques American 1921 watch, which was celebrated last year, the "Classic with a Twist" exhibition pays tribute to Vacheron Constantin's creative freedom at the dawn of the 20th century. Indeed, from the 1910s to the 1930s, Vacheron Constantin was particularly renowned for its artistic effervescence. The wide range of differently shaped cases and special dials displayed in this exhibition tell an exciting chapter in the history of the Maison. 'Classic with a Twist' is first and foremost a story of freedom, the tale of a unique and distinctive style that emerged in the context of the Roaring Twenties and the Art Deco movement through a daring variety of designs and geometric figures: atypical shapes, rigorous squares, elegant coussin-shaped cases, as well as a few examples of special dials and off-centre indications. The wristwatch, which at the end of the 19th century was considered an exclusively feminine accessory, began to attract a male audience at the beginning of the 20th century. Faithful to its pioneering spirit, Vacheron Constantin showed an early awareness of the art of wearing a watch by creating as early as 1889 a women's model on a bangle-type bracelet, which is probably the oldest wristwatch from the Maison. The stylistic abundance of the 'Classic with a Twist' exhibition illustrates Vacheron Constantin's ability to interpret the spirit of the times and the customs of the era. Beyond watchmaking, the exhibition reflects a lifestyle, the social changes taking place at the dawn of the 20th century, and the evolution of tastes and trends in clothing. Between 1919 and 1921, the House produced a number of models intended exclusively for the American market. With its avant-garde design and coussin-shaped case, atypical diagonal display and offset crown, the Ref. 12070 timepiece, particularly sought-after by collectors, celebrated its 100th anniversary last year in 2021. Presented on the occasion of the "Classic with a Twist" exhibition, the original model is one of the most striking examples of the creative energy that the Manufacture has displayed throughout its history. The "Classic With a Twist" exhibition will be open until 13 February at the Vacheron Constantin boutique in Milan, located at Via Pietro Verri 9.
