Image courtesy of Vacheron Constantin.
“To Marlon, Love Zsa Zsa” reads the inscription on the back of a well-worn watch, engraved June 24, 1954. This is not just any watch (besides being a gift to Marlon Brando from friend Zsa Zsa Gabor in commemoration of the release of his breakthrough film On The Waterfront). This is a Vacheron Constantin watch, and only one example of the many that have marked memorable moments throughout American history.
Vacheron Constantin holds the prestigious position as the oldest watch manufacturer in continuous operation. The Swiss company founded in 1755 first began its relationship with the United States in 1832. And this summer Vacheron solidified its American relationship with the opening of its first US boutique, located at in New York City at 729 Madison Avenue.
To commemorate this occasion, Vacheron has created an interactive timeline that chronicles historical and cultural high points not only in American history, but in the US-Vacheron relationship, as well. With The American Heritage of Vacheron Constantin, Vacheron owners can participate by submitting their own stories to the timeline, demonstrating the breadth of the horologists’ impact on moments of both a historic and personal nature.
The website officially launched August 15 and can be visited at
http://americanheritage.vacheron-constantin.com/.
1954 - Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor presents actor Marlon Brando with an engraved Vacheron Constantin wristwatch. It is believed that the gift was in honor of the release of the film On the Waterfront, for which Brando would win an Academy Award for Best Actor. Image courtesy of Vacheron Constantin.
1918 - James Ward Packard, founder of the Packard Motor Car Company and watch aficionado, commissions a unique timepiece from Vacheron Constantin. Almost a century later, this watch still fascinates, fetching $1.8 million at a recent Christie's auction. Image courtesy of Vacheron Constantin.
1918 - The American Expeditionary Forces, the division of the US Armed Forces sent to Europe to fight in the First World War, place an order in Berne for a few thousand Vacheron Constantin chronographs in silver bearing the engraving "Corps of Engineers". Image courtesy of Vacheron Constantin.