Vacheron Constantin
Jean-Marc Vacheron was the original founder of Vacheron Constantin in Geneva, Switzerland in 1755. Vacheron Constantin is the oldest watch company to be established. Some of the previous owners of Vacheron Constantin watches were Harry S. Truman, the Duke of Windsor, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Pope Pius XI. 1770 was the year that Vacheron designed the first complication in watchmaking and later he introduced the first ever engine-turned dials. This company survived through the French Revolution which was a major achievement. Jean-Marc Vacheron’s grandson, Jacques-Barthelemy Vacheron, wanted his company to expand internationally and he was not capable of that and that’s when he realized he needed a partner. This is where Francois Constantin entered the business with Vacheron and they established Vacheron Constantin. Vacheron Constantin manufactured the Kallista, one of the most expensive timepieces, which raised the initial price from $5 million to $11 million, in today’s market. It took the company 6,000 hours to complete the watch and another 20 months to place the jewelry.