Vacheron Constantin Teams Up with Ora ïto to Celebrate the Patrimony’s 20th Anniversary

Watchmakers often choose to honour the legacy of their storied collections in unique ways, reflecting a deep respect for tradition and craftsmanship. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Patrimony collection, Vacheron Constantin has just unveiled a unique model that stems from a long-running collaboration with French designer Ito Morabito (widely known as Ora ïto), a Vacheron Constantin “One of Not Many” talent.

Launched in 2004, inspired by a 1957 model, the Patrimony collection has a distinctly minimalist design with clean, elegant contours and a slender silhouette, all serving as the perfect accompaniment to the genuine complexity that lies underneath. This monochrome vintage-style timepiece instantly reminds one of Vacheron Constantin references from the 1950s when the brand’s timepieces embodied a unique slenderness and elegance, representing the epitome of classic watchmaking. Produced in a limited edition of 100 pieces, this self-winding model (Ref. 85180/000J-H069) is housed in a 40 mm yellow gold case sporting a gold-coloured dial with concentric circles that expertly catch the light.

In the 1950s, Vacheron Constantin prided itself on producing ultra-thin timepieces that embodied a class, elegant appeal while delivering exceptional durability. The absence of unnecessary adornments paired with the clean lines and contours demand a high level of craftsmanship and artistic prowess. When the Patrimony collection was introduced in 2004, it was this classic spirit that the brand aimed to showcase. Since then, the collection has appeared in a variety of interpretations including a manual-winding model in yellow gold with a silver dial from 1958, the “Disco Volante” pocket watch in white gold revealed in 1960, a square-dialled iteration from 1968, and the self-winding Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date in pink gold from 2016.

The face of the collection since 2019 as part of the “One of Not Many” campaign, the French designer has been a longtime admirer of the Patrimony collection, a horological embodiment of his “Simplexity” concept”. According to ïto, “A good design wasn’t created to be disposed of after a period of usage, it is designed around essentials to make it eternal.” Clearly, the aesthetic worlds of the Patrimony and Ora Ïto were destined to come together. 

This new Patrimony self-winding model has an 18ct 40 mm yellow gold case, a slim bezel with lugs and a small crown at 3 o'clock. The tone-on-tone gold dial features numerous concentric circles expanding like a rippling wave, echoing the cambered dial surface. The designer, who also happens to be an astronomy enthusiast, stated that “this circular movement of light refers to the Baily Pearls, a phenomenon that accompanies an eclipse of the sun by the moon”. The applied hourmarkers, the ‘pearl’ minutes track and the slim, slightly curved hands are all crafted from yellow gold too. The date window at 6 o’clock sports tone-on-tone visuals as well.

Powering the watch is Calibre 2450 Q6, an in-house, self-winding movement with a 40 hour power reserve. Turning the watch showcases the sapphire crystal caseback through which the wearer can admire the movement and the meticulous detailing, including circular graining on the mainplate, Côte de Genève pattern on the bridges and an openworked gold oscillating weight revealing a Maltese cross. The model is paired with a burgundy calfskin strap, punctuated by rectangular shapes with softened angles that reinforce the vintage character of the watch, perfectly complementing the circular geometry of the case and dial.

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