Vacheron Constantin is launching world’s first Concours d’Élégance, French for 'competition of elegance', for its timepieces. The Concours D’élégance Horlogère is for collectors and enthusiasts who own the watchmaker’s pocket watches and wristwatches launched between 1755 and 1999. The inaugural event is an initiative by Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo. 

Following the Maison’s 270th anniversary last year, the initiative underscores Vacheron Constantin’s commitment to those who preserve and promote its legacy. As Christian Selmoni, Style and Heritage director at Vacheron Constantin notes, the competition is an opportunity to honour collectors who act as custodians of the brand’s history. 

Each submitted timepiece will be evaluated against nine carefully defined criteria: Authenticity, elegance, rarity, impact on the history of Vacheron Constantin and/or on watchmaking in general, provenance, technicality, métiers d’art (artistic crafts), state of preservation and emotional dimension. Quartz watches, clocks, and pieces that have undergone major modifications—as defined by the official regulations—are excluded. 

Each watch may compete in one of seven categories, chosen by the owner: Chiming Mechanisms (including minute repeaters, quarter repeaters, half-quarter repeaters, and grande sonnerie watches); chronographs (two- or three-counter chronographs, monopushers, and split-seconds mechanisms; astronomical complications (triple calendar, complete calendar, or perpetual calendar watches); multiple complications (timepieces combining at least two major complications such as tourbillon, repeater, chronograph, split-seconds, or sky chart); chronomètre royal (pocket watches and wristwatches officially designated “Chronomètre Royal” from 1907 onward); métiers d’art (watches featuring engraving, enameling, gem-setting, guilloché, or other decorative crafts (excluding skeletonised pieces); design (watches defined by signature Vacheron Constantin aesthetics or distinctive displays, including retrograde indications, jumping hours, or world time. 

Registrations will be open from January 19 to April 30, 2026, via Vacheron Constantin’s official website and participating boutiques. The awards—presented as trophies without financial compensation -- will be presented to winners announced in Geneva on November 10, 2026, following  Phillips autumn auctions.