Last week at the SIAR 2023 —Salón Internacional de Alta Relojería— in Mexico City, Vacheron Constantin presented two incredible heritage timepieces that have a very strong and special connection with Mexico. As a Mexican, I could’ve not been more delighted to peruse these two incredible watches in the company of Christian Selmoni, Style and Heritage Director at Vacheron Constantin. This was an unprecedented exhibition that included pieces dating back to the early 20th century with a close connection to Mexico, as well as the latest innovations from the house directly from Watches and Wonders Shanghai 2023.
In 1832, the Maison expanded to America and established its first team in New York. It took just three years to reach Central America, and in 1845, Vacheron Constantin officially arrived in Mexico. That year, the Maison established contact with a Swiss correspondent in Mexico City, and the first order was placed.
The two timepieces included a pocket watch in platinum that belonged to former Mexican President Álvaro Obregón and a Vacheron Constantin reference 6950 Chronomètre Royal ‘Batman’ from 1966.
First let me tell you about the pocket watch that belonged to former Mexican President Álvaro Obregón.
Álvaro Obregóon was a Sonoran-born general in the Mexican Revolution of 1910 who became President of Mexico from 1920 to 1924. He was succeded by Plutarco Elías Calles after being assassinated shortly after his re-election in 1928. Well known for his missing arm after it was blown off during the Mexican Revolution war, Obregón is also known as the ‘El Manco de Celaya’ —the one-armed man of Celaya.
This exquisite pocket watch cased in platinum with diamonds set on its thin profile dates back to 1920. The watch features a silvered dial with circular graining finish that is to die for. The dial has black enamel Roman numerals and a railway-style minute hand. Confirming its provenance, this pocket watch has a special inscription on the case back: "Álvaro Obregón, a H.N. Branch, 16 de Junio, 1922." Most likely presented by the president as a personal gift to someone by the name H.N. Branch.
The pocket watch houses a manual winding movement, caliber RA 16" 162, inspired by the Art Deco period, known for its pure and legible design. Moreover, it's a personalized watch with a specific engraving related to President Obregón, who signed the Plan of Agua Prieta and is known for his educational, labor, and agrarian reforms that helped restore Mexico's economy and stability in the early decades of the last century.
Now let me tell you about the Vacheron Constantin reference 6950 Chronomètre Royal ‘Batman’ from 1966. One of the first orders for Latin America consisted mainly of hunter-case watches, so the Maison designed a reliable and rugged pocket watch, the Royal Chronometer, capable of meeting the demands of the harsh climate. The model enjoyed great success, as did custom orders that became very popular in Mexico.
The designation "Chronomètre Royal" has been a registered trademark of Vacheron Constantin since 1907 and this watch, originally designed to withstand the extreme weather conditions of South America, is based on pocket watch models with a robust and waterproof case that protects the movement from dust and moisture. The first "Royal Chronometer" wristwatch was introduced in 1953, retaining the same attributes of robustness, durability, and precision as its predecessors.
This exclusive watch, a reference 6950, features an elegant white gold bracelet with exquisite brushing work. Manufactured in 1966 and affectionately nicknamed "The Batman" —due to its unique lugs resembling Batman’s ears on its mask—, houses Vacheron Constantin's first automatic caliber with an adjustable inertia balance wheel, the caliber 1072. This movement, considered one of the best automatic calibers of its time, bears the prestigious Geneva Seal.
What's most notable is that this watch, sold in Mexico, belonged to Dr. Manuel Velasco Suárez, a renowned Mexican neurologist, neurosurgeon, and scientist who served as the Governor of the state of Chiapas and who founded Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía —National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery. Dr. Velasco also played a significant role in the fight against nuclear and chemical weapons and became a leader of the Mexican branch of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War —IPPNW—, a non-governmental organization that received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985. Additionally, he served for 60 years as a professor at the School of Medicine at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México for which he received the Emeritus Professor medal in 1989.
On its caseback the engravings confirm its provenance. The engravings are ‘Neuro’ —alluding to his neurosurgeon title— and then ‘M.V.S’ —his initials— with the year ‘1969’.
During the SIAR 2023 —the most important watch event in Latin America and the only one of its kind—, Vacheron Constantin once again demonstrates its commitment to watchmaking excellence and its appreciation for the cultural heritage, especially of Mexico. All the exhibited pieces reflect the beauty, craftsmanship, and history that define this iconic brand, embodying change as a symbol of continuity, and whose uninterrupted excellence has continued for over 200 years.
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