Vacheron Constantin (watch brand)

Vacheron Constantin is a Swiss watch manufacturer. This watch brand is considered one of the most expensive, prestigious and traditional brands. The history of Vacheron Constantin began on September 17, 1755. In the notary's office of Maitre Choisy, the young watchmaker Jean-Marc Vacheron signed an agreement to hire an apprentice. This treaty is the first mention of the founder of a prestigious watchmaking dynasty and marks the birth of one of the oldest watch manufactures in existence today. Vacheron's products quickly gained popularity among the aristocracy of France and Italy. So, for example, it is significant that Napoleon's wives (Josephine and Marie Louise) were his clients. 1819 - another key date for the Vacheron brand - businessman Francois Constantin joined the company, who in a short time managed to significantly improve the company's business. It was at this time that the name of the brand was replenished with another surname. 
In 1862, Vacheron & Constantin became a member of the Association for the Study of Antimagnetic Materials. In 1885, the company created the first anti-magnetic watch based on materials that could resist magnetic fields. When creating the details of these watches, palladium, bronze and gold were used. Since 1877 "Vacheron & Constantin, Fabricants, Geneve" has become the official name of the company. In 1887 the company was reorganized into a joint stock company. In the same year, for her achievements, she was awarded a gold medal at the Swiss National Exhibition held in Geneva. 
In 1906, Vacheron & Constantin opened its first store in Geneva.
During the Great Depression, the company found itself in a difficult situation, but a new manager, Charles Constantin, breathed hope into a bright future. He became head of the company in 1936, the first time since the 1850s that a member of the Constantin family was appointed president of Vacheron & Constantin. In 1970, the ampersand was removed from the name of Vacheron & Constantin. 
Vacheron Constantin has established itself as one of the most expensive watches in the world. In 1979, as a result of 6,000 hours of work by watchmakers and 20 months of work by jewelers, the Kallista watch was created, the case and strap of which were 118 large emerald-cut diamonds connected by an invisible design, with a total weight of 127.34 carats. In addition, 141 traditional round cut diamonds were used in the finishing of this watch. The Kallista watch cost an anonymous client $5 million.
After the death of Georges Ketter, the head of the company, in 1987, Vacheron Constantin changed hands, but despite this, sales increased, and today the company produces about 20,000 watches a year. In 1996, the company was acquired by the Richemont Group.
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