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The stainless steel Quai de l’Île. |
The Quai de l’Île collection, launched in 2008, welcomes a
new stainless steel model, providing a contemporary expression of the proud
Fine Watchmaking traditions upheld by the maison Vacheron Constantin. A spirit
evidenced in a comfortably sized 41mm-diameter case mingling three iconic
shapes from the aesthetic heritage of the manufacture, enhanced by a subtle
array of finishes. The Hallmark of Geneva-certified Quai de l’Île stainless
steel model is equipped with the new Manufacture self-winding Caliber 5100,
displaying the hours, minutes, seconds and date on a silver-toned or black dial
punctuated by luminescent indications ensuring optimal legibility.
An Urban Location Brimming with History
With its contemporary design, its distinctive character and
its excellence attested by the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva, the Quai de
l’Île collection embodies an avant-garde aesthetic vision of watchmaking
traditions. The name refers to the historical site of Vacheron Constantin. A
symbol of Geneva’s watchmaking excellence and home to the famous 19th century
master cabinotiers, this center of outstanding craftsmanship spread the fame of
the manufacture far and wide. Located at the heart of Geneva, this crossing
place between the left and right banks of the Rhone has been transformed into a
bustling urban hub. Imbued with this same spirit of innovation pervaded by
history, the Quai de l’Île collection vividly reflects the art with which
Vacheron Constantin reinterprets a technical and aesthetic legacy enriched by
260 years of uninterrupted history.
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A new in-house movement powers the watch. |
Structured Stainless Steel Case
At once sturdy, comfortable and light, stainless steel makes
a noteworthy entry into the collection. Enhanced with alternating polished and
satin-brushed finishes, the 41mm-diameter case associates three iconic shapes
from the aesthetic heritage of Vacheron Constantin: a round bezel, a
cushion-type case and a tonneau (barrel) caseband. This harmoniously embedded
"shape in shape" design creates an original aesthetic, accentuated by
the light playing across the finishes. Intended to ensure optimal comfort, the
split-level lugs reinforce the dynamics of this case with its transparent back
and endow it with an authentic identity, the signature touch of Vacheron
Constantin.
In-house Movement for an Active Lifestyle
This stainless steel exterior houses a state-of-the-art
mechanical self-winding movement comprising 172 components. Caliber 5100,
entirely designed, developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin, drives the
hours, minutes, central seconds and date functions. Steadily beating at a rate
of 28,800 vibrations per hour and designed for an active lifestyle, this
movement features excellent resistance to impacts as well as a comfortable over
60-hour power reserve guaranteed by its twin barrels. The oscillating weight is
made of tungsten, a material rarely used in watchmaking and which ensures
improved inertia of the rotor along with optimal winding performance due to its
hardness and its weight.
Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, it is
distinguished by its modern Quai de l’Île decor adorned with five raised
decorative fillets. The particularly meticulous finishing of Caliber 5100 –
chamfering, polishing, circular graining, Côtes de Genève – meets the demanding
Hallmark of Geneva standards. Designed to achieve the best possible results in
terms of both reliability and aesthetics, these hand-crafted finishes entail an
up to 40% longer production time compared with a non-certified movement.
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An indicator points to the date. |
A Multi-Level Dial
The dial of the new stainless steel Quai de l’Île model is
distinguished by a multi-level construction interpreted in two versions –
silver-toned or black – with an opaline finish. Composed of three distinct
parts, this display with its innovative depth effects ensures remarkable
legibility thanks to its hour-markers and Arabic numerals entirely made of
white luminescent material.
Another distinctive feature is the replacement of
the traditional aperture-type date by a two-level date indication. The dial
construction includes a transparent mineral glass disc on which the dates of
the month are inked. Beneath this glass, the date disc of Caliber 5100 appears
and displays an indicator that points towards the correct date.
This new stainless steel Quai de l’Île model,
water-resistant to 30 meters, is delivered with two straps – one in brown
alligator leather and the other in black rubber – with a steel folding clasp.
Quai de l’Île
Technical Specifications
References
4500S/000A-B195 – silver-toned dial
4500S/000A-B196 – black dial
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepieces
Caliber
5100/1
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, self-winding
30.60 mm (13” ¼) diameter, 4.70 mm thick
Approximately 60 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28’800 vibrations/hour)
172 components
37 jewels
Indications
Hours and minutes
Central seconds
Date
Case
Stainless steel
41 mm diameter, 11.75 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30
meters)
Dial
Silver-toned/black opaline
Mineral glass disc with date indication
Arabic numerals and indexes crafted in white luminescent
material
18K gold hour & minute hands and date highlighted with
white luminescent material
Strap
Brown Mississippiensis alligator leather, black alsavel
lining, hand-stitched, large square scales
Delivered with a second strap in black rubber
Clasp
Stainless steel triple-blade folding clasp with push-pieces
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
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