Messages: 2614 Location: East Coast, USA
Registered: November 2003
1832 - a pivotal year for Vacheron Constantin, Swiss Watchmaking, and America >>>
Tue, 31 July 2012 21:45
Hi All,
While doing some research on Vacheron's history recently, I stumbled upon a couple very interesting tidbits associated with their expansion into the US market that began in 1832.
First, the US was the fourth country, and the first beyond Europe, where Vacheron distributed their watches. Prior to 1832, outside of Switzerland, Vacheron exported watches only to France and Italy. Motivated by poor economic conditions following the second French Revolution of 1830, this letter written by Jacques Barthélémy Vacheron, the grandson of the brand's founder, Jean-Marc, to François Constantin explains the situation...
Photo credit: Vacheron Constantin
"If we can escape the political situation and the cholera, you should learn English in your spare time. We have a desire to establish an institution in New York..."
Second, and most impressive, however is that Vacheron Constantin was the very first Swiss brand to export watches to the US! According to Franco Cologni's "Secrets of Vacheron Constantin" book, prior to 1832, only British-made timepieces were sold here.
One hundred eighty years later, I think it was a good move!
- Paul Boutros