Vacheron Constantin, a prestigious watch company, brings back its thinnest watches, and they are not alone, Piaget will be also be unveiling its ultra thin timepiece at the SIHH 2010.
Does this mean thin is back in?
Thin was all the rage back in the 1950's and 1960's where thin meant exceptionally refined craftsmanship where precise mechanical craftsmanship was able to operate to perfection in an extremely confined space. In 1955 Vacheron Constantin unveiled its ultra thin timepiece - 120 parts within a watch case as thin as a coin making this watch the thinnest watch in the world. The hand wound mechanical watch requiring expertise beyond the norm. In 1968 Vacheron Constantin unveiled another ultra- fine model.
Today Vacheron Constantin has revived its quest for slimness. The result is two remarkable creations inspired by its earlier collections.
The Historique Ultra-fine 1955 timepiece is the worlds thinnest hand wound watch to date. Measuring in at just 4.10mm thick, this watch is powered by a slim 1.64 mm mechanical hand wound 1003 movement. The watch will be unveiled for its 55th anniversary and will be available in 18 carat gold emblazoned with the Hallmark of Geneva.
The Historique Ultra- fine 1968 will return with an ultra-thin mechanical self-winding 1120 with decorated oscillating weight and baring the Hallmark of Geneva.
At SIHH Piaget will unveil its ultra-thin Piaget Altiplano celebrating the 50th anniversary of its 1960 Calibre 12P, the thinnest automatic mechanical movement of its time. Piaget will present the self-winding Calibre 1208P, an historic milestone in itself. At a mere 2.35mm, the Calibre 1208P is the thinnest self-winding movement available today.The Piaget Atiplano will encase the Calibre 1208P in its new 43mm case size, and measuring in at 5.25mm thick, the Atilplano will break a record as being the thinnest watch in its category.
It seems over the last century Vacheron Constantin and Piaget have done a bit of competing in regard to ultra-thin movements. In 1955 Vacheron Constantin boasts the ultra-thin movement only to be broken two years later by Piaget's 2 mm thick hand-wound movement thus keeping up the constant strive for excellence.
