Grand Lady Kalla Returns in a Highly Original Chapter.
Throughout the Maison’s continuous activity since its foundation in 1755, the strong connection between Vacheron Constantin and women has been cultivated.
Since its inception, the manufacture has fostered an atmosphere of innovation that is matched only by the exquisite workmanship found in Haute Joaillerie. The earliest gemset item in its private collection goes back to 1812.
The Grand Lady Kalla has added a glittering new chapter to this tradition. The new watch has many strap options and is based on the design of the legendary Kalla, which debuted in 1980 and was a successor to the Kallista, which debuted in 1979. A radiant gem crafted from the exquisite paring and placement of over 46 carats of emerald-cut diamonds, this model exemplifies the artistic freedom and craftsmanship of Vacheron Constantin.
With the Kallista, Vacheron Constantin created history in 1979. The watch’s 140 grammes of solid gold were derived from a geometric rivière that Raymond Morretti had cut out of a solid gold ingot. Only the watch’s inventive design surpassed the 130 carats of diamonds that adorned it. This one-of-a-kind timepiece set the record for the most costly watch ever made. Unveiled in 1980, the Kalla was one of its stunning offspring. An eponymous line, whose one-of-a-kind masterpieces have garnered universal praise, was inspired by the renowned timepiece, which was carved from a block of 18K yellow gold and sparkled with 108 emerald-cut diamonds totaling around 30 carats.
One such example is the 2001 Jewellery Watch winner, the white gold Lady Kalla on a satin strap, in the first Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Nine years down the road in 2010, in celebration of the Lady Kalla’s 30th anniversary, the debut of the Flame cut—an innovation by Vacheron Constantin and officially sanctioned by the Gemological Institute of America—was marked by the unveiling of the Lady Kalla Flamme, a dazzling display of 57-facet diamonds.
The 2024 Grand Lady Kalla will be named after the Greek phrase for “the most beautiful”—kallista. The new invention is an embodiment of many firsts, beginning with the initial concept in the design studio and ending with the final polishing process. The modifications are as deftly executed as they are inconspicuous.
The new jewellery has emerald-cut diamonds that are exceptionally clear, thanks to their 57 facets. The skilled gem- setter’s painstaking work is evident in the dial, which has been delicately shrunken to suit modern preferences and embellished with prongs that are a little more updated. Minimalist in design to accommodate the hands, they take the shape of triangles on the bracelet and case centre to draw attention to the stones, or pyramids to create the Maison’s famous Maltese cross, which sparkles in the light. The sautoir necklace, adorned with onyx, diamonds, and lustrous, round Akoya pearl tassels, skillfully bridges the gap between Art Deco and the modern day.
As a testament to the Maison’s unwavering commitment to passing on quality, the Grand Lady Kalla is a true Haute Joaillerie masterpiece. Emerald cuts are the most exquisite, and the beauty of a well-matched set further enhances their allure. The gemmologists at the Maison have painstakingly chosen each of
the 131 diamonds to guarantee perfect harmony in cut, clarity, and brilliance. The emerald cut’s acute angles, along with the meticulous setting, let the stones shine through. Their wide bursts of light produce an enchanting glimmer that adds a unique sheen to the pattern.
The sautoir necklace is another work of art by the jewellers of the Maison. Its moving decoration has a magnificent focal stone that is more than two carats in weight and has been GIA-confirmed, set with fifteen diamonds totaling more than twelve carats.You may switch it up by wearing it as a bracelet or a necklace.
The Grand Lady Kalla, a watch and sautoir necklace in one, is a modern, whimsical call to elegantly go from wrist to neckline and back again. This watch, with its four different ways to wear it, echoes the inventive spirit that has defined Vacheron Constantin for over 250 years. The 1924 edition of a women’s pendant watch exemplifies this skill beautifully; it has a detachable clasp that allows the wearer to turn the platinum pendant—set with diamonds, emeralds, onyx, and rubies—into a brooch.
After a century, the Maison has brought it bang up to date by quadrupling its transformability. Thus, the Grand Lady Kalla establishes a conversation in her jewellery with a diamond-encrusted watch and a sautoir necklace that contrasts onyx beads with Akoya pearls.You have the option to swap out the timepiece on the bracelet for the gem element that adorns the sautoir necklace. In turn, the watch may be placed in the sautoir, bringing back the graceful motions of the early 20th century, when women would touch their sautoir with their fingertips to check the time. The skilled artisans of the manufacture have skillfully applied their craft to the Grand Lady Kalla, allowing for a complete tool-free transformation, guaranteeing flawless alignment with current design.
The whole value of a Vacheron Constantin timepiece exceeds its individual components. A geometric design or sketch serves as the foundation from which a myriad of forms, colours, and textures may be created. Craftsmanship evokes feelings, mechanical engineering’s intricate structures merge with design, and attention to detail breathes life into elegance. Vacheron Constantin clocks, which are based on rigorous mathematical research, have an air of refined beauty that is the pinnacle of creative achievement. Vacheron Constantin’s 2024 theme conveys this alchemy, in which mathematical shapes serve as creative inspiration. The sporty-chic attitude of Overseas, the classicism of the Traditionnelle collection, the simplicity of the Patrimony timepieces, the enticement of Égérie, and the rest of the line effectively reflect this.
