Vacheron Constantin, the 268-year-old watchmaker, epitomizes versatility with refreshing takes offered year after year. This year, the Maison’s long and rich history of jewelry and pendant watches comes to life with a multi-faceted piece, the Grand Lady Kalla, which can be adorned as a wristwatch, a pendant, or a back ornament. Blindingly beautiful with 57 faceted emerald-cut diamonds on the watch, along with diamonds, Akoya, and onyx pearls on the pendant, this high-jewelry timepiece flaunts a whopping 46 carats of diamonds. The watch is accompanied by a striking tassel sautoir that can be worn in four different ways. In a way, the 18K white gold Grand Lady Kalla is a third-generation masterpiece preceded by the iconic Kalla from 1980, which was heir to the Kallista unveiled in 1979.
The latest Haute Joaillerie offering brings to the wrists the dazzle of the emerald cut, further amped by the use of flawless 131 diamonds that have been meticulously selected by the Maison’s gemologists. The case measures 19.4 mm x 30.1 mm, 8.3 mm thick with 18K white gold hour and minute hands on the iced-out dial. The watch is outfitted with the Caliber 1212 Quartz, operating at 32.7 Hz, comprising 85 components with 6 jewels.
The sautoir necklace is quite a show-stopper, flaunting an ornament paved with 15 diamonds that weigh 12 carats with a glittering cynosure, a 2-carat diamond. This is a playful element that can be worn both on the necklace and on the bracelet. The Grand Lady Kalla allows a jewelry and watch enthusiast to enjoy both their passions as a watch entirely set with diamonds and a sautoir necklace combining diamonds and Akoya pearls contrasting with onyx beads.
The multipurpose feature allows the watch to be removed from the bracelet to be replaced by the jewel element gracing the sautoir necklace. The latter can in turn accommodate the watch, an elegant style that was quite the rage in the early 20th century. It doesn’t take a skilled artisan to transform this chameleon of charms into its various avatars; simply a bold, gorgeous woman who expresses her fashion sensibilities without qualms and with effortless elegance.
