Jean-Marc Vacheron (1731 - 1805) Vacheron Constantin is the oldest, active manufacturing horological business in the world. It all began in 1751, when Jean-Marc Vacheron (1731-1805) took his freedom as a watchmaker, and in 1755, opened a workshop in the "Cité" in Geneva which is the home of the present day company Vacheron Constantin. At that time watches were signed Jean Marc Vacheron. From then until today, the company changed names several times according to the succession of partners. It therefore also used several signatures. In 1785, watches were signed: Vacheron Girod. Later, around 1810, Barthélémy Girod took up residence in Paris until 1814 in order to organize the distribution of watches sent from Geneva, and established many commercial relationships for the growth of the business. From about 1814, Vacheron Girod started using silver and gold dials and this fashion lasted until about 1830. In 1816 the name of the company became Vacheron-Chossat & Cie. Until 1819, the company was busy conquering the Italian and Turkish markets. The company?s name became Vacheron & Constantin, in 1819, with the motto "Do better if possible which always is possible". From 1824, and for about 30 years, François Constantin became the company?s "ambassador" throughout Europe, opening several markets. In 1833, the company began commercial relations with the USA involving monthly deliveries. On June 29, 1839, a contract was signed with George-Auguste Leschot (1800-1884) for a collaboration in the development and construction of machine-tools for the mechanical production of all the parts of a watch, the Pantograph. This innovation marked the beginning of the end of the craftsman?s era, and the dawn of industrial production in watchmaking. Credit is due to Leschot and to the vision of Vacheron & Constantin as being the first to produce interchangeable parts in watches of the same caliber. Among other things, Leschot was the inventor of "locking" in lever escapements, of draw, and of the diamond bit in 1876. In 1840, the first commercial relations were undertaken with South America, in particular Rio de Janeiro. In 1843 the first commercial relations with Havana took place, and, in 1848, the first commercial relations with the Netherlands and its colonies. By 1854, a solid network of agents was established in Germany. The 1854 financial year ended with a net profit of 175,000 francs for each of the partners. Production in the mid-1850s at Vacheron & Constantin was very much directed towards lever escapements, which became part of the regular manufacture. 1855 saw the introduction of keyless winding watches and the invention of the "jointed winding-stem". From 1867, the company name was changed to César Vacheron, ancienne maison Vacheron & Constantin. Then, in 1869, the name became Charles Vacheron & Cie. April 19, 1870, saw the death of Charles Vacheron, the last member of the family, and in December 1870, the name became César Vacheron & Cie. In 1875, the company moved to the Quai du Moulins where it has remained to this day. In 1880, a trademark was registered with the Cross of Malta, an emblem which, in the course of the years has become the worldwide symbol of the company. In 1887, the business became a limited company inscribed in the Trade Registers as: Vacheron & Constantin, Geneva. In the following years, the company patented and registered several important inventions. In 1896, the company name became Vacheron & Constantin S.A. and won a gold medal at the Swiss National Exhibition in Geneva, the first prize International Rating Competition at the Geneva Observatory, and the first prize in the Exhibition of Milan. From 1899, and for the few next years, Vacheron & Constantin patented many inventions, registered marks and won several Observatory prizes. In 1911, the share capital was raised from 300,000 to 600,000 francs. A very important production of many different models, limited series, high precision watches was produced by the Manufacture. 1938 saw the amalgamation of Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron & Constantin, and Georges Ketterer became director. In 1955, to mark its bicentenary, Vacheron Constantin produced the thinnest movement known -1.64 mm. thick-, and Jacques Ketterer joined the firm. In 1969, Georges Ketterer died, his son Jacques took over the business until his death in 1987. Mr. A. Z. Yamani became the major shareholder of the company and Claude Daniel Proellochs assumed the direction. In 1991, a new building was inaugurated. Today, part of the renowned Richemond Group, Vacheron Constantin continues its prestigious production which ensures the success of the business. Claude-Daniel Proellochs Born in Neuchâtel to a family active in the watchmaking trade ?his father was Director of Fairs and Exhibitions of the Chambre Suisse de l?Horlogerie? he completed his studies in that city. After receiving a license in Economy, with an option in Industrial Economy, Claude-Daniel Proellochs worked for Omega in Biel for five years, then moving on to the Eterna firm, of which he was the director from 1984 to 1987. In November 1998, he was asked to become director of Vacheron Constantin and to sit on its Conseil d?Administration. Claude-Daniel Proellochs is married and has two children. A lover of music, the arts, literature and the theater, he also enjoys skiing, sailing and tennis ? when his work at Vacheron Constantin leaves him enough free time !