Founded: 1755
Founding place: Geneva, Switzerland
Founded by: Jean-Marc Vacheron and François Constantin
Current headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
Owned by: Richemont Group
Official name: Vacheron Constantin SA
Table of contents
Jean-Marc Vacheron
The history of Vacheron Constantin starts in the 18th century. ‘Vacheron Constantin’ was founded in 1755. In that year Jean-Marc Vacheron (1731–1805), a master watchmaker, started his business in Geneva. At that time his watches bore the name “Jean-Marc Vacheron”. In 1770, he created the first complication, in 1779 he designed the first engine-turned dials.
It was in 1785 that Jean-Marc Vacheron’s son Abraham took over the family business. In 1810 the grandson of founder Jean-Marc, Jacques-Barthélemy Vacheron, becomes the head of the company.
François Constantin becomes an associate
Later, in 1819, when his business becomes bigger, François Constantin was brought on as an associate and the name changes to Vacheron & Constantin. Nowadays VC claims to be the oldest watch company in the world with an uninterrupted history. Vacheron Constantin is owned by the Richemont Group.
The history of Vacheron Constantin in a timeline
1731 – Birth of Jean-Marc Vacheron
1755 – Jean-Marc Vacheron starts his company
1770 – Creation of his first complication
1779 – Designed the first engine-turned dials
1785 – Son Abraham takes over the family business
1810 – Grandson Jacques-Barthélemy becomes the head of the company
1819 – François Constantin was brought on as an associate
1819 – Official name changes to Vacheron Constantin
1877 – Names changes to Vacheron & Constantin, Fabricants, Geneve
1880 – Start of using the Maltese cross as its symbol
1887 – Reorganized into a stock company
1906 – Opened their first boutique (on Quai de l’Ile, Geneva)
1936 – Charles Constantin becomes the head of the company
1996 – The Richemont Group buys the company
2003 – Start of producing watches for women
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Watches from Vacheron Constantin
Watches from the brand can be found in the Vacheron Constantin section of this website.