Vacheron Constantin Concours d'Élégance Horlogère: the first competition dedicated to the Maison's timepieces

Pisa 1940 welcomes with great enthusiasm an initiative aimed at enhancing the historical heritage of great timepieces: the Vacheron Constantin Concours d'Élégance Horlogère, an international competition dedicated to enthusiasts and collectors of the Geneva-based Maison.

The event was created at the initiative of Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo and represents a unique project, designed to bring together Vacheron Constantin watch owners from around the world. The competition will be open to pocket watches and wristwatches. produced between 1755 and 1999, with the aim of celebrating the technical excellence, rarity and historical value of some of the Maison's most significant watches.

Applications will be open until 30^th April, 2026, with the possibility of registering at the Vacheron Constantin Boutique or online through the dedicated platform.

The first edition of a competition destined to make history

The Vacheron Constantin Concours d'Élégance Horlogère marks a first in the international watchmaking scene. It is the first competition in the world entirely dedicated to watches.

The initiative was born with the aim of uniting the global collector community while enhancing the Maison's history and creative heritage. The collaboration with Phillips , one of the most respected international auction houses specializing in collectible watches, also guarantees an unprecedented level of expertise and authority in the selection and valuation of timepieces.

The event is part of a growing interest in historic watchmaking and vintage models, offering a new platform to showcase the technical and aesthetic richness that has characterised over two and a half centuries of Vacheron Constantin production.

Rules, awards and categories in the competition

The competition is open to owners of Vacheron Constantin pocket and wristwatches made between 1755 and 1999 (excluding quartz watches, table clocks and timepieces that have undergone substantial modifications, as indicated in the rules).

Each watch can participate in only one of the seven categories foreseen for this first edition:

• Striking mechanism: timepieces equipped exclusively with a repeater (minutes, quarters, half quarters) or grande sonnerie;
  
  

• Chronographs: models with two or three-counter chronograph, single push-button or split-seconds mechanism;
  
  

  

  
  

• Astronomical complications: watches with triple calendar, complete calendar or perpetual calendar;
  
  

  

• Multiple complications: watches with at least two of the complications provided (e.g. tourbillon, repeater, striking mechanism, chronograph, split-seconds, complete/perpetual calendar, celestial chart);

• Chronomètre Royal: timepieces bearing the official name “Chronomètre Royal”, issued starting in 1907;

• Métiers d'art: watches with decorative workmanship such as engraving, enameling, gem-setting, guilloche or other decorative arts (excluding skeleton models);

• Design: Models featuring the distinctive Vacheron Constantin design, in the case and/or in the time display (e.g. retrograde display, jumping hours, world time).

The awards ceremony will take place on November 10, 2026, celebrating the timepieces that best embody the spirit and excellence of the Vacheron Constantin tradition.

An international jury of experts

Ensuring the competition's prestige will be an international jury composed of some of the most influential figures in the world of watchmaking. The committee will be co-chaired by Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo (Geneva, Switzerland), and Christian Selmoni, Heritage & Style Director of Vacheron Constantin.

Alongside them, the jury will bring together experts, collectors, historians, journalists and professionals in the sector, including:

• Yasmine AlShathry: founder of CLÉ;

• Felix Baumgartner: co-founder and CEO of URWERK sa;

• Matteo Bega: founder of Perpetual Passion;

• Benjamin Clymer: founder of Hodinkee;

• Dr. Helmut Crott: Vintage watch expert, collector, entrepreneur and author;

• Nicholas Foulkes: author, historian and journalist;

• Alexandre Ghotbi: Vice President and Head of Europe and Middle East – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo (Geneva, Switzerland);

• Wei Koh: journalist, watch enthusiast, host and executive producer of Man of the Hour and founder of Revolution;

• Morgan Maillard: Style & Heritage expert at Vacheron Constantin;

• Auro Montanari (John Goldberger): collector, author and publisher of books on vintage watches;

• Roberta Naas: award-winning author and journalist;

• Jia Xian Su: Founder of SJX Watches.

Vacheron Constantin: Over 270 Years of Watchmaking Excellence

Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin is the oldest continuously operating watchmaking manufacturer in the world, a symbol of a tradition spanning over two and a half centuries of history.

Over the years, the Maison has built its reputation through the continuous pursuit of technical perfection, artisanal excellence, and a refined aesthetic sensibility. Iconic collections such as Patrimony, Traditionnelle , Overseas, Fiftysix, Historiques, Égérie, and Malte  they testify to the ability to combine innovation and tradition within the so-called Belle Haute Horlogerie.

Enthusiasts can discover various models from the Maison within the selection of luxury watches available at Pisa 1940, an international reference point for collectors and connoisseurs.