News The new Manufacture of Vacheron Constantin in Plan-les-Ouates is now operational. The building is also the brand's international headquarters.
Vacheron Constantin took possession of its new Manufacture on August 9th 2004. Located in Plan-les-Ouates (Geneva), the premises designed by Swiss-born French architect Bernard Tschumi also serve as the brand’s international headquarters. It was officially inaugurated on September 8th, after two years of planning and 18 months of intensive building work, and symbolises an significant stage in the development of the world’s oldest brand in uninterrupted operation since its founding in 1755.
Enriched by a longstanding tradition of excellence, Vacheron Constantin is celebrating in due style this new stage in its development. Determined to regroup its forces hitherto spread out between various sites around Geneva, the brand launched an international architectural competition which was won in the second round by Bernard Tschumi Urbanistes Architectes. Once this stage was over, building work began in December 2002. The Head Office and Manufacture, distinguished by a daring design and by its transparency, now brings administration and production together under one roof, providing the perfect setting for around 170 employees representing the Vacheron Constantin professions and the brand spirit. The personnel should grow to 250 in due course.
"A timeless form in touch with our times" or an alliance between contemporary technologies inherent to the 21st century and the intelligence dear to the Age of Enlightenment, the 18th century. The equation set out by the architect in parallel with the specifications established by Vacheron Constantin has found its answer in a building combining dynamism and permanence. A metal envelope, symbolising the dynamics of time, tops a concrete structure, the very embodiment of durability. The premises are set in 30,000 sq.m. of parkland and are entirely in harmony with the surrounding scenery. Plan-les-Ouates is a particularly judicious location, which is easy to reach and close to the airport. It is interesting to note that the municipal coat-of-arms features the famous Maltese Cross which has been the brand emblem since 1880. For Vacheron Constantin, this logo is inspired by the tiny part of the barrel cover which formerly served to limit the winding of the mainspring, thus improving the rating of the watch.
The luminous interior volumes place an emphasis on accessibility, depth and transparency, in order to ensure smooth internal flows between the various departments. This is a sure token of the successful growth of a company which focuses on creativity and quality rather than targeting increased volumes as its priority. Vacheron Constantin, one of the rare reference brands within the select circle of Haute Horlogerie, now has a facility to match its corporate philosophy, dedicated to the service of a deliberately limited production.
The Manufacture unites within a single site all the elements involved in the watchmaking process: design studios, as well as workshops responsible for adjusting mechanical movements, casing up, testing and after-sales service. The heart of each of Vacheron Constantin watch is entirely finished by hand: each of the movements is enhanced by exceptional finishing work, with steel surfaces systematically bevelled and decorated by hand. One unit specifically dedicated to performing the finishing of mechanical movements to meet the criteria of the Geneva quality hallmark (Poinçon de Genève), the highest standard in the business, is located in Plan-les-Ouates. The main watch exterior components, such as the dial and case, are also hand-finished.
In addition to the Plan-les-Ouates site, Vacheron Constantin can rely on members of its personnel working in workshops in Le Sentier, in the Vallée de Joux. While this facility currently employs 72 people, current development objectives foresee around 100 jobs there. The unit in Le Sentier is devoted to Research & Development and to the making of parts for mechanical movements.
The historical site "en lle", at the heart of Geneva, which served as company headquarters since 1755, remains the emblem of the brand’s rich heritage and one of the icons of Geneva watchmaking thanks to its Museum and its boutique, as well as a "custom-made watches" workshop. It represents the third pillar on which the brand is founded.
As a final token of recognition for the exceptional creation represented by the new Manufacture, discussions that took place with the municipal authorities of Plan-les-Ouates and with the management of the Canton of Geneva official cadastral department, have enabled Vacheron Constantin to locate its new site at no. 10, Chemin du Tourbillon. This particularly apt name pays tribute to one of the Haute Horlogerie specialities in which Vacheron Constantin excels.
September 24, 2004
