The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

This 1930s Vacheron & Constantin is the perfect example of a watch that doesn't need to overdo it to stand out. With its compact diameter (approximately 31 mm), it might seem modest to a modern collector. On the wrist, it truly commands attention. Not by its size, but by the clarity of its dial, the precision of its hour markers, and the simplicity of its design. The contrast between the soft patina of the cream background and the clean geometry of the hands gives it a real, almost architectural presence.
The thin but well-designed steel case naturally fits the wrist. It's a watch that slips under a shirt, but is still noticeable—especially upon closer inspection.
The 10.5-ligne caliber is one of the most widely used manual movements by Vacheron in the 1930s–1950s: reliable, slim, and beautifully decorated.

Vacheron & Constantin Calatrava 1930 in steel

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Vacheron Constantin</strong>, founded in <strong>1755</strong> in Geneva, is the oldest watch manufacture in the world with uninterrupted production. Since its creation, the house has been able to combine tradition and innovation, producing watches of exceptional quality. Vacheron Constantin is recognized for its watchmaking know-how but also in all artisan craftsmanship enabling watchmaking precision to be sublimated.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">History of the Vacheron Constantin brand</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In 1755, Jean-Marc Vacheron, a Geneva watchmaker, founded his workshop. He created complicated watches, integrating mechanisms such as the calendar and minute repeater. In 1770, he designed the house's first complicated watch. In 1810, Jacques-Barth&eacute;lemy Vacheron, grandson of the founder, took over the management of the company and sought to extend the brand's presence beyond Swiss borders.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Association with Fran&ccedil;ois Constantin: 1819-1880</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In 1819, Jacques-Barth&eacute;lemy Vacheron joined forces with Fran&ccedil;ois Constantin, an experienced businessman. This collaboration gave birth to the company Vacheron &amp; Constantin. Fran&ccedil;ois Constantin, during his travels, wrote the house motto in 1819: <strong>&ldquo;Do better if possible, which is always possible&rdquo;</strong>, reflecting the brand's ongoing commitment to excellence. In 1839, Vacheron &amp; Constantin hired Georges-Auguste Leschot, a talented engineer who revolutionized watch production by introducing machines capable of standardizing watch components. His invention of the pantograph made it possible to reproduce parts with unprecedented precision, paving the way for high-quality mass production. This technical advance earned Leschot a gold medal from the Soci&eacute;t&eacute; des Arts de Gen&egrave;ve in 1844. In 1880, the house adopted the symbol of the Maltese cross as its logo, inspired by a component of the winding mechanism limiting the tension of the mainspring.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">International recognition: 1880-1960</h2>
<p dir="ltr">At the beginning of the 20th century, Vacheron &amp; Constantin continued to innovate by presenting increasingly sophisticated watches with complications. In 1906, the house opened its first boutique in Geneva, strengthening its local and international presence. In 1929, she created a pocket watch for King Fouad I of Egypt, incorporating 14 complications, testifying to her exceptional expertise. In 1955, to celebrate its bicentenary, the house presented the caliber 1003, the thinnest mechanical hand-wound movement in the world at the time, measuring just 1.64 mm thick.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 1960s: Innovations and Expansion</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In the 1960s, Vacheron Constantin continued to innovate in terms of design and technology. In 1965, Georges Ketterer, from the Jaeger-LeCoultre group, bought the majority of the shares of Vacheron &amp; Constantin, thus restoring complete independence to the company. This period is marked by the creation of emblematic watches, notably ultra-thin models which demonstrate the exceptional know-how of the manufacture. In 1968, the brand launched the ultra-thin automatic wristwatch, equipped with caliber 1120, a movement which attracted the attention of specialists and collectors.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 1970s: Quartz Crisis and Adaptation</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The 1970s were marked by the quartz crisis, a period when the Swiss watch industry faced competition from cheaper and more precise Japanese quartz watches. Vacheron Constantin, like many other watchmaking houses, must adapt to this new reality. In 1970, the company officially changed its name to Vacheron Constantin. In 1972, the brand received the &ldquo;<strong>Prestige Diploma of France&rdquo;</strong>, recognition of its excellence and know-how. In 1977, <strong>Vacheron Constantin launched the &ldquo;222&rdquo; model</strong>, a sporty steel watch with integrated bracelet, precursor to the Overseas collection.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">1980s: Ownership Changes and Renewal</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In 1987, after the death of Jacques Ketterer, Vacheron Constantin changed hands. Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani, former Saudi Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources and avid watch collector, becomes the company's majority shareholder. This period is marked by a desire to preserve the brand's heritage while adapting to market developments.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">1990s: Integration into the Richemont Group</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In 1996, Vacheron Constantin joined the Swiss Richemont group, a conglomerate of luxury brands. This integration allows the manufacture to benefit from increased resources to strengthen its position in the luxury market. In 1998, <strong>Vacheron Constantin inaugurates the Vacheron Constantin Ateliers in the Vall&eacute;e de Joux</strong>, thus reinforcing its commitment to watchmaking excellence.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">2000s: Tradition and Innovation</h2>
<p dir="ltr">At the start of the 21st century, Vacheron Constantin continued its quest for excellence by combining tradition and innovation. In 2004, the factory moved to its international headquarters in Plan-les-Ouates, thus uniting production, research and development activities under one roof. In 2005, to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the house unveiled the "Tour de l'&Icirc;le", a pocket watch incorporating 16 complications, including the tourbillon, perpetual calendar and minute repeater. This exceptional piece illustrates the unparalleled know-how of the manufacture.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Since the 2000s, Vacheron Constantin has enriched its catalog with emblematic collections and models, combining watchmaking tradition and technical innovation. Here is an overview of the main collections and models introduced during this period:</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Vacheron Constantin Overseas</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Launched in 1996, the <strong>Overseas collection was revisited in 2004 and 2016</strong> to meet the expectations of lovers of elegant sports watches. These models are distinguished by their robustness, their waterproofness and their sleek design. However, this collection finds its roots in the reference 222, designed by Jorg Hysek, in the purest style Sport-Chic watches with integrated bracelet like the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/patek_philippe/nautilus">Patek Philippe Nautilus</a> or the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/audemars_piguet/royal_oak">Audemars Piguet Royal Oak</a>.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Vacheron Constantin Patrimony</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Inspired by designs from the 1950s, the Patrimony collection embodies timeless elegance and minimalism. Note the Automatic Heritage Featuring a refined design, this watch offers a clear reading of the time, reflecting the traditional know-how of the house. Their Patrimony Moon Phase and Retrograde Date offers the display of the phases of the moon with a retrograde date, illustrating the historical mastery of watchmaking complications by Vacheron Constantin.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Vacheron Constantin Historical Collection</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Vacheron Constantin revisits its iconic models of the past with this collection, adapting them to contemporary standards. <strong>One of the best known is the American 1921</strong> : Inspired by a model from the 1920s, this watch is distinguished by its offset dial and bold design. There Vacheron Constantin Cornes de Vache 1955 is a reinterpretation of a chronograph from the 1950s, this model is recognizable by its handles in the shape of cow horns.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Introduced in 2018, the <strong>Fiftysix collection is inspired by a 1956 model</strong>, combining vintage and modernity. There Fiftysix Automatic offers a retro aesthetic with modern functionality, ideal for everyday use. The model to Complete Calendar meanwhile, displaying the day, date, month and phases of the moon, for a model combining elegance and practicality.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Vacheron Constantin: The oldest watch Manufacture in the world</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The brand Vacheron Constantin is owned by the Richemont Group in the same way as <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/iwc">IWC</a> or<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/jaeger-lecoultre"> Jaeger-LeCoultre</a>. It produces around 30,000 watches per year, all models combined. To choose a Vacheron Constantin that best suits you, <strong>Dialicious owners' reviews</strong> are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.</p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated November 2024)</p>

<p>Fond&eacute;e en <strong>1970</strong> par Philippe Saner dans le Jura suisse, la marque <strong>Saner</strong> incarne un demi-si&egrave;cle d'excellence horlog&egrave;re. Initialement sp&eacute;cialis&eacute;e dans l'assemblage de mouvements m&eacute;caniques, l'entreprise a su &eacute;voluer tout en conservant son savoir-faire artisanal. En 2020, pour c&eacute;l&eacute;brer ses 50 ans, la famille Saner a lanc&eacute; une collection exclusive de montres en &eacute;dition limit&eacute;e, marquant ainsi son entr&eacute;e sur le devant de la sc&egrave;ne horlog&egrave;re.</p>
<h3><strong>Les D&eacute;buts : Un Atelier Familial</strong></h3>
<p>Philippe Saner a &eacute;tabli son atelier &agrave; Alle, dans le Jura suisse, une r&eacute;gion r&eacute;put&eacute;e pour son expertise horlog&egrave;re. D&egrave;s le d&eacute;part, l'atelier s'est distingu&eacute; par la pr&eacute;cision de son travail, fournissant des mouvements m&eacute;caniques &agrave; des marques prestigieuses. Cette r&eacute;putation d'excellence a permis &agrave; l'entreprise de se d&eacute;velopper tout en restant fid&egrave;le &agrave; ses <strong>racines familiales</strong>.</p>
<h3><strong>L'&Eacute;volution : De la Sous-Traitance &agrave; la Cr&eacute;ation de Montres</strong></h3>
<p>Apr&egrave;s des d&eacute;cennies en tant que sous-traitant de confiance, la <strong>famille Saner </strong>a d&eacute;cid&eacute; de capitaliser sur son expertise en lan&ccedil;ant sa propre ligne de montres. Cette transition a &eacute;t&eacute; motiv&eacute;e par le d&eacute;sir de proposer des garde-temps refl&eacute;tant leur vision de l'horlogerie, alliant tradition et innovation.</p>
<h3><strong>La Collection "Heart in Light"</strong></h3>
<p>Pour c&eacute;l&eacute;brer son 50e anniversaire, Saner a d&eacute;voil&eacute; la collection <strong>"Heart in Light"</strong>. Compos&eacute;e de cinq mod&egrave;les exclusifs, chaque pi&egrave;ce est limit&eacute;e &agrave; 50 exemplaires et <strong>certifi&eacute;e par le Contr&ocirc;le Officiel Suisse des Chronom&egrave;tres (COSC)</strong>, garantissant une pr&eacute;cision exceptionnelle. Les mod&egrave;les se d&eacute;clinent avec des bracelets en cuir, m&eacute;tal ou nylon, offrant une vari&eacute;t&eacute; adapt&eacute;e aux go&ucirc;ts diversifi&eacute;s des amateurs de montres.</p>
<h3><strong>Engagement envers la Qualit&eacute; et l'Innovation</strong></h3>
<p>Saner s'engage &agrave; maintenir des <strong>standards de qualit&eacute; &eacute;lev&eacute;s</strong>. L'atelier, modernis&eacute; et bien &eacute;quip&eacute;, se sp&eacute;cialise dans l'assemblage de mouvements m&eacute;caniques, le garnissage de platines et l'embo&icirc;tage de montres, y compris celles avec complications. Cette infrastructure permet &agrave; la marque de contr&ocirc;ler chaque &eacute;tape de la production, assurant ainsi la fiabilit&eacute; et la durabilit&eacute; de ses produits.</p>
<h3><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3>
<p>La marque Saner illustre la capacit&eacute; d'une <strong>entreprise familiale</strong> &agrave; &eacute;voluer tout en pr&eacute;servant son h&eacute;ritage. En lan&ccedil;ant sa propre collection de montres, Saner a d&eacute;montr&eacute; que l'expertise accumul&eacute;e au fil des d&eacute;cennies peut servir de fondation solide pour innover et proposer des produits de haute qualit&eacute; aux passionn&eacute;s d'horlogerie.</p>
<p>Inspirez-vous des <strong>avis clients Dialicious</strong> pour choisir la montre qui vous ressemble.</p>
<p>(Mise &agrave; jour Mars 2025)</p>

<p dir="ltr">Founded in <strong>1970</strong> by Philippe Saner in the Swiss Jura, the brand <strong>Saner</strong> embodies half a century of watchmaking excellence. Initially specializing in the assembly of mechanical movements, the company has evolved while maintaining its artisanal know-how. In 2020, to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Saner family launched an exclusive collection of limited edition watches, marking its entry onto the watchmaking scene.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Beginnings: A Family Workshop</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Philippe Saner established his workshop in Alle, in the Swiss Jura, a region renowned for its watchmaking expertise. From the start, the workshop stood out for the precision of its work, supplying mechanical movements to prestigious brands. This reputation for excellence has allowed the company to grow while remaining faithful to its <strong>family roots</strong>.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Evolution: From Subcontracting to Watch Creation</h3>
<p dir="ltr">After decades as a trusted subcontractor, the <strong>Saner family</strong> decided to capitalize on its expertise by launching its own line of watches. This transition was motivated by the desire to offer timepieces reflecting their vision of watchmaking, combining tradition and innovation.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Collection "Heart in Light"</h3>
<p dir="ltr">To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Saner unveiled the collection <strong>"Heart in Light"</strong>. Made up of five exclusive models, each piece is limited to 50 copies and <strong>certified by the &ldquo;Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres&rdquo; (COSC)</strong>, guaranteeing exceptional precision. The models are available with leather, metal or nylon straps, offering a variety suited to the diverse tastes of watch lovers.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Commitment to Quality and Innovation</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Saner is committed to maintaining high quality standards. The workshop, modernized and well equipped, specializes in the assembly of mechanical movements, the filling of plates and the casing of watches, including those with complications. This infrastructure allows the brand to control each stage of production, thus ensuring the reliability and durability of its products.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The Saner brand illustrates the capacity of <strong>family business</strong> to evolve while preserving its heritage. By launching its own watch collection, Saner has demonstrated that the expertise accumulated over decades can serve as a solid foundation to innovate and offer high-quality products to watch enthusiasts.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Get inspired by <strong>Dialicious owner&rsquo;s reviews </strong>to choose the watch that suits you.</p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated March 2025)</p>

Vacheron Constantin Owner Review : Discreet, elegant and classic

Vacheron & Constantin Calatrava 1930 in steel

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