Organized at the invitation of Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, the competition is designed for owners of Vacheron Constantin pocket watches and wristwatches from around the world, offering them a rare opportunity to showcase their most treasured pieces on an international stage.

The event will culminate on November 10th, 2026, when an esteemed jury of global experts will award seven prizes. The panel will be co‑chaired by two leading figures in the watch world: Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant at Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, and Christian Selmoni, Director of Style and Heritage at Vacheron Constantin. Their combined expertise ensures that the competition will be both rigorous and deeply rooted in the values of fine watchmaking.

As the inaugural edition of its kind, the competition represents a milestone for the industry. The concept draws inspiration from the world of automotive Concours d’Élégance—events that celebrate craftsmanship, rarity, and aesthetic excellence. For Aurel Bacs, bringing this spirit into the realm of watchmaking has been a long‑held ambition. He describes the initiative as a dream realized, one that will spark “inspiring discoveries and scholarly conversations” around the timepieces submitted.

The timing of the event is particularly significant. The vintage watch market is experiencing remarkable momentum, with collectors showing renewed interest in heritage pieces and the stories behind them. By creating a formal platform for showcasing historical and contemporary watches, Vacheron Constantin strengthens its dialogue with a community that is more active and engaged than ever.

The partnership with Phillips adds another layer of credibility and expertise. Renowned for their leadership in the appraisal and auctioning of collectible timepieces, Phillips brings unparalleled insight into the historical significance and market value of rare watches. Their involvement ensures that the competition will highlight pieces that truly reflect the breadth and richness of Vacheron Constantin’s 270‑year legacy.

Beyond the competitive aspect, the event carries a profound heritage mission. Following the Maison’s milestone anniversary celebrations, the Concours d’Élégance Horlogère serves as a tribute to those who safeguard and transmit its history—collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts who keep the spirit of the brand alive. As Christian Selmoni notes, the competition creates new opportunities for exchange, particularly with exclusive communities such as The Hour Club, further strengthening the bonds between the Maison and its most dedicated admirers. The selection of timepieces will span both historical and modern creations, underscoring the continuity of Vacheron Constantin’s craftsmanship across centuries. From intricate pocket watches to contemporary wristwatches, the competition will celebrate the artistry, technical mastery, and aesthetic refinement that define haute horlogerie.

A celebration of legacy and the relentless pursuit of watchmaking mastery, the competition welcomes participants who own Vacheron Constantin pocket watches or wristwatches produced between 1755 and 1999. As outlined in the official rules, quartz models, clocks, and pieces that have undergone significant alterations are not eligible.

All submitted timepieces will be assessed across nine key dimensions: authenticity, aesthetic refinement, rarity, historical significance for Vacheron Constantin or the broader watchmaking world, provenance, technical achievement, métiers d’art craftsmanship, condition, and emotional resonance.

Each watch may be entered into only one of the seven categories, selected by the owner:

1. Chiming mechanisms – timepieces featuring exclusively a minute repeater, quarter repeater, half‑quarter repeater, or grande sonnerie.
2. Chronographs – models equipped with two‑ or three‑register chronographs, single‑pusher systems, or split‑seconds mechanisms.
3. Astronomical complications – watches incorporating a triple calendar, full calendar, or perpetual calendar.
4. Multiple complications – pieces combining at least two major complications, such as a tourbillon, repeater, chiming mechanism, chronograph, split‑seconds, complete or perpetual calendar, or sky chart.
5. Chronomètre Royal – any watch officially designated “Chronomètre Royal” since its introduction in 1907.
6. Métiers d’art – creations showcasing engraving, enameling, gem‑setting, guilloché, or other decorative arts, excluding skeletonized pieces.
7. Design – watches distinguished by Vacheron Constantin’s signature stylistic codes, whether expressed through the case or the display, such as retrograde indications, jumping hours, or world‑time mechanisms.

Registration will be available from January 19 to April 30, 2026, both online at vacheron‑constantin.com and in the Maison’s boutiques.

The winners—honored with trophies rather than monetary prizes—will be announced in Geneva on November 10th, 2026, following the autumn auctions held by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo.