hillips in Association with Bacs & Russo and Vacheron Constantin are proud to jointly announce the launch of an inaugural Concours d’Élégance dedicated to timepieces.

At the invitation of Phillips, Vacheron Constantin has partnered on this landmark event, celebrating the artistry, preservation, and cultural significance of watchmaking history. Culminating in November 2026 with a dedicated event in Geneva, the Concours d’Élégance offers a special opportunity to pay tribute to the discerning collectors and connoisseurs who cherish and preserve the legacy of VacheronConstantin timepieces.

“As a lifelong enthusiast of Concours d’Élégance in the world of classic motorcars, it has long been my dream to bring this concept to fine watchmaking,” said Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo.

“I am delighted that Vacheron Constantin has accepted our invitation to support the world’s very first concours d’Élégance dedicated to timepieces and I look forward to the inspiring discoveries and scholarly conversations that will emerge from the timepieces entered in this competition.”

The competition will recognize outstanding Vacheron Constantin wristwatches and pocket watches produced up to 1999, honoring excellence across multiple categories with a focus on genuineness, condition, history and design.

An international jury of leading experts, collectors, and industry figures will preside over the Concours. Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant to Phillips, and Christian Selmoni, Style & Heritage Director at Vacheron Constantin, will serve as Presidents of the Jury, reflecting a shared commitment to safeguarding horological heritage and celebrating the passion of today’s collectors.

“Vacheron Constantin is delighted to partner with Phillips in presenting this inaugural Concours d’Élégance, a tribute to the passionate connoisseurs and collectors who form the heart of our Maison,” says Christian Selmoni, Style&Heritage Directorat Vacheron Constantin. “Following our 270th-anniversary celebrations, this event allows us to further honor those who preserve and appreciate the enduring artistry of Vacheron Constantin.

It embodies the spirit of excellence and dedication to horological heritage that defines us.We also see this as a wonderful opportunity to engage with members of exclusive communities such as the Hour Club, fostering deeper connections with those who share our appreciation for fine watchmaking.”

Full submission details, official rules, and the complete list of jury members will be revealed in early 2026. The winners will be announced in November 2026.

The founding of Vacheron Constantin in Geneva in 1755 marked the beginning of a continuous quest for excellence. This quest, to which the Maison has maintained unwavering commitment for 270 years, defines every element of Vacheron Constantin’s identity to this day.

The quest for technical excellence is expressed through the mastery of mechanical complications, timekeeping precision, miniaturisation, original displays, fine finishing, and a vocation to always innovate.

The quest for artistry fosters not only the creation of elegant designs and intricate decoration but also enduring support for craft and artisans, including long-standing patronage of the Arts and culture.

The human quest is manifested not only in a passion for continuous learning and improvement but also through a deep commitment to the transmission of knowledge and savoir-faire.

This quest, encapsulated in the words of François Constantin in 1819 to «do better if possible, and that is always possible», has served as the ultimate inspiration for a Maison focused on creativity and innovation for 270 years.