The Quai de l’Ile is Vacheron Constantin’s historical address in Geneva since the 19th century. It is the center for the brand’s tradition, innovation and product development.
As a tribute to this historical address, in 2008 Vacheron dedicated a new family of timepieces named Quai de l’lle
The collection is a reflection of the brand’s foundation and the future of watchmaking, and for the first time within the high-end watchmaking, a mix-n-match option offering the clients to customise their timepiece. Initially, VC launched 2 references within this collection: the Ref. 86050 featuring hours, minutes and date, and the Ref. 85050 with Day, Date and Power Reserve functions.
The present watch (Ref: 85050/0009 d-9341) is a slightly upgraded version of the latter.
The 41mm titanium case is a piece of architectural marvel in itself. The modular construction contains nine pieces that fit onto an inner case (with support plate) that contains the movement: two flanks, two lugs, two inter-lug pieces, bezel, crown, and case back. In an event of damage or dent to the case, this multi-part case construction allows room for that particular part to be replaced with a new one.
The dial is equally intricate and interesting. The embossed look of the 12, 3, 6, 9, and Maltese Cross of the dial is the result of galvanic growth of gold-coated metal on the sapphire base. The microtexts around the day and date subdials, along with the spelled out numbers at 1,2,4,5,7,8,10, and 11 are formed by the applied vaporization of white gold onto the sapphire in a process called metallization.
The texts for the day, date, power reserve and brand signature are laser engraved and filled/printed with ink.
The spiral sunray pattern doubles as a minute/seconds track, is printed in alternating colors. The sun pattern on the dial also comes with an invisible ink UV marking on this film, showing itself only under UV light Under the dial is a transparent security film which is also used for making banknotes.
Visible through the sapphire case back is the VC in-house automatic caliber 2475, offering 42hr power reserve. The 22K gold rotor gets a ruthenium finish, giving it an industrial look.
