Three luminous Grand Lady Kalla creations celebrate coloured gemstones, transformable design, and Vacheron Constantin’s enduring jewellery heritage
Vacheron Constantin expands its legacy of haute horlogerie and high jewellery with the unveiling of three new interpretations of the Grand Lady Kalla. Set with rubies, sapphires, or emeralds, each edition celebrates a union of masterful gem-setting and horological refinement, reflecting the Maison’s 270-year pursuit of excellence.
A Legacy in Jewellery Watches
Since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has created timepieces that resonate with women’s evolving sense of style and sophistication. The Maison’s archives reveal exquisite examples dating back to 1812, including early gem-set watches and transformable pendants that reflected the spirit of their age. The Kallista, introduced in 1979, marked a turning point in high jewellery watchmaking, set with 130 carats of diamonds in a design by Raymond Moretti. It was followed by a series of iconic successors such as Lady Kalla in 1980, Queen Kalla, Lord Kalla, and later the award-winning Lady Kalla Flame in 2010, featuring the Maison’s proprietary Flame cut registered by the Gemological Institute of America.
In 2024, the debut of Grand Lady Kalla, a monochrome composition of diamonds, white Akoya pearls, and black onyx, brought modern sophistication to this storied line. The 2025 release enriches this heritage with colour, craftsmanship, and versatility.
Three Variations on a Theme
Each Grand Lady Kalla model introduces vivid colour through rubies, sapphires, or emeralds paired with white diamonds and Akoya pearls. The design pays homage to Art Deco geometry, balancing rectilinear bracelets with the graceful curves of a sautoir necklace. Each piece comprises four fully gem-set, interchangeable elements: a watch, a jewel piece, a bracelet, and a sautoir necklace, allowing it to be worn in four distinct configurations.
The artistry lies in the details. The emerald cut, chosen for its step-like facets and restrained brilliance, emphasises clarity and structure, while the sugarloaf cut used for the central stone adds a sculptural depth and soft luminosity. Every claw setting forms a branch of Vacheron Constantin’s emblematic Maltese Cross, a hidden signature of the Maison’s craftsmanship.
Jewels That Embody Time
Each creation is a technical and artistic feat. The Grand Lady Kalla – Sapphire, crafted in 18K white gold, shines with approximately 49.72 carats of sapphires. The Ruby version mirrors this exuberance with 49.85 carats of stones, while the Emerald model, set in platinum, exudes restrained elegance with 35.72 carats of emeralds. All gemstones are certified by the Swiss Foundation for the Research of Gemstones (SSEF).
The accompanying sautoir, measuring 85 cm, combines 112 lustrous Akoya pearls with beads of ornamental stones such as chalcedony or chrysoprase. Hidden mechanisms allow the wearer to transform the watch into a pendant or replace it with the central jewel piece in seconds, recalling the graceful sautoir watches of the early 20th century.
A Dialogue Between Time and Ornament
For Vacheron Constantin, Grand Lady Kalla represents more than technical virtuosity; it is a continuation of the Maison’s dialogue between timekeeping and ornamentation. “By considering artistic sensibilities, aesthetic trends and technical developments in the context of changing social norms, we have captured the constantly evolving spirit of the times while fulfilling feminine expectations and desires,” says Sandrine Donguy, Product and Innovation Director at Vacheron Constantin.
The new pieces reinterpret the spirit of Art Deco through a modern lens. They embody the Maison’s approach to innovation, where technical mastery meets artistic expression. With their modular design, these watches are not simply accessories but heirlooms in motion, resonating with women who seek both creativity and versatility.
The Continuing Quest
For nearly three centuries, Vacheron Constantin has united craftsmanship, artistic integrity, and human ingenuity. The Grand Lady Kalla trilogy exemplifies this enduring philosophy, each creation a synthesis of artistry, history, and horology, designed for the woman who wears time as an expression of self.
Read more – Latest
