19.01.2026

Vacheron Constantin launches first-ever Concours d'Élégance Horlogère

The inaugural competition honors the Maison’s 270-year legacy, uniting enthusiasts worldwide in Geneva this November.

Words: Victor Goh

Photos courtesy of Vacheron Constantin.
 

When it comes to haute horlogerie, Vacheron Constantin has spent 270 years quietly setting the bar for haute horologie. Now, the Maison is inviting the world’s most discerning collectors to take centre stage — with the very first Concours d'Élégance Horlogère, in partnership with Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo.

Scheduled for Geneva on November 10th, 2026, this inaugural competition is not for the faint-hearted or casual watch enthusiast. It is a celebration of pocket watches and wristwatches launched between 1755 and 1999, a curated nod to the timeless pieces that have shaped the history of horology. Think of it as a red-carpet event for watches — minus the champagne, but with all the prestige.

Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant at Phillips, co-chairing alongside Christian Selmoni, Director of Style and Heritage at Vacheron Constantin.

 

The event’s judging panel reads like the A-team of watch expertise: Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant at Phillips, co-chairing alongside Christian Selmoni, Director of Style and Heritage at Vacheron Constantin. Their mission? To evaluate entrants across a suite of criteria that matter most to collectors: authenticity, elegance, rarity, technical mastery, métiers d’art, and even that intangible emotional pull that makes a watch more than just an accessory. In other words, watches will be judged not only for their gears and springs but also for the stories they carry — the human touch woven into metal and enamel.

Owners can register from January 19th to April 30th, 2026, either at Vacheron Constantin boutiques or online via the Maison’s dedicated page. Seven trophies await winners, each celebrating excellence without monetary compensation — because, in the world of collectors, prestige trumps price tags every time.

This isn’t just a competition; it’s a heritage moment. Following Vacheron Constantin’s 270th anniversary celebrations, the Concours d'Élégance Horlogère underscores the Maison’s commitment to honoring those who preserve its history while inspiring dialogue among collectors. The collaboration with Phillips brings a level of auction-house expertise that ensures each timepiece is presented in all its glory, from historical rarities to contemporary marvels.

Seven categories allow for a fascinating diversity of submissions: from chiming mechanisms and chronographs to astronomical complications, multiple complications, Métiers d’art, design, and the legendary Chronomètre Royal. Each entrant competes in just one category, encouraging owners to showcase the aspect of their watch that resonates most — a friendly reminder that even in horology, everyone loves a little friendly rivalry.

For GC readers, this event is a peek behind the velvet rope of the collector’s world. It’s where history, artistry, and technical mastery converge in a way that only Vacheron Constantin could orchestrate. For the gentlemen who appreciate more than just a nice dial, this is an opportunity to witness timekeeping elevated to an art form.

After all, it’s not every day that your wristwatch could walk the runway, and for Vacheron Constantin, every tick counts.

About the Author

Victor Goh

Watch & Features Editor

With a wrist perpetually graced by precision and a gaze fixed on horological haute couture, Victor Goh curates timepieces the way a sommelier selects vintage wine - bold, refined, and never predictable. His editorial instincts are as sharp as the crease on his pinstripe trousers, ensuring every GC watch feature ticks with class, clarity, and character.

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