Caviar canapes, free-flowing Krug champagne, Megan Washington on piano and some of the world’s finest watches to admire; an evening with Vacheron Constantin is truly one of not many.We’ve been fans of Vacheron Constantin’s work for years, so we swiftly said yes when invited to attend the Australian launch of their new Fiftysix® collection. Calling on the retro-contemporary style of the timepieces, the venue for the evening evoked the essential vintage vibe. Restaurant Hubert, one of downtown Sydney’s fine dining destinations, set the scene with its underground jazz bar spirit, soft lighting and relaxed ambience. The space was styled by Steve Cordony who carefully appointed the room with Vacheron Constantin designs for guests to view throughout the event. A selection of influential figures attended the intimate affair including connoisseurs of design, architecture, tailoring and photography who were all eager to examine the Fiftysix® collection.
We settled into the evening with a glass of bubbles and listened to The Pocket Trio play a string of upbeat jazz tunes. The perfect atmosphere was set to saunter around the dining room and take in these incredible timepieces. The Fiftysix® collection harks back to one of Vacheron Constantin’s heritage designs from the 1950s; the golden age of round timepieces. Featuring a classic dial and daring case, the watches favour a fusion of the old and the new resulting in a unique cosmopolitan style. Our personal pick was a steel design characterised by multi-dial details, a luxurious alligator leather strap and the iconic Maltese cross emblem synonymous with the Maison.
Vacheron Constantin has been in the business of Fine Watchmaking for more than 260 years and it’s this experience and expertise that is personified in the timepieces. Intricate, complex and yet refined; the watches not only offer an elegant aesthetic but are built with the utmost quality materials. The combination of style, status and longevity has proved powerful for the Maison over its history. The Fiftysix® collection references their 1956 model 6073; a milestone design being one of their first equipped with a self-winding movement and water resistant case.
After the privilege of trying on the various designs from the collection, we sat down to enjoy dinner whilst our host for the evening, Philippine Vidal, told us more about Vacheron Constantin and the Fiftysix® collection. Dinner was a delicious assortment of shared plates, inviting us to engage with our fellow watch enthusiasts. Our meal was accompanied by the sound of piano keys and the enchanting vocals of Australian artist Megan Washington. The entire room was captivated by her solo performance, and for a moment it seemed like time stood still; no easy feat in a room full of watches.
In a most fitting conclusion to our memorable evening, we were invited to the bar to enjoy a rare tasting of The Balvenie scotch – aged 14, 21 and 30 years. Only ten bottles of the latter are produced each year so we made sure to savour every sip. Akin to the Vacheron Constantin ethos, The Balvenie produces limited quantities to ensure the highest levels of quality and craftsmanship.
Our evening with Vacheron Constantin was a masterclass in sensory inspiration with each aspect of the event complimenting the exquisite Fiftysix® collection.
Website: vacheron-constantin.com
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