Vacheron Constantin Remasters Gem Setting, Versatility With Ground-Breaking Grand Lady Kalla Watches

Today, Holy Trinity brand Vacheron Constantin — the world’s oldest continually operating watch manufacturer — unveiled three new versions of the Grand Lady Kalla: the Grand Lady Kalla – Sapphire,– Ruby, and– Emerald. Each version offers interchangeable variations and represents the Maison’s long-standing expertise in combining high jewelry artistry with Swiss watchmaking precision.

Before delving into these new models, it’s worth noting that the Grand Lady Kalla has roots that run deep in Vacheron Constantin’s jewelry-making heritage. The line traces back to the Kallista of 1979, a one-of-a-kind creation set with 130 carats of diamonds, followed by the first Lady Kalla in 1980 — a smaller, more wearable expression that went on to inspire a full series of “Kalla” watches over the decades.

From the diamond-set Lady Kalla Flame with its distinctive flame-cut stones in 2010, to last year’s Grand Lady Kalla combining diamonds, pearls, and onyx, the series has continually reflected the brand’s expertise in gem-setting and transformable design.

Now, for 2025, Vacheron Constantin’s 270^th anniversary year, the brand adds vibrant colored gemstones and the sautoir pendant format to the collection. The latest Grand Lady Kalla watches each offers four distinct interchangeable configurations consisting of a wristwatch with three-row bracelet, a sautoir pendant necklace and a shorter pendant – all thanks to a discreet fastening system that the wearer can manipulate to change the format.

Each of the three Grand Lady Kalla creations — set respectively with sapphires, rubies, or emeralds, along with other stones — shares a series of defining design elements that express Vacheron Constantin’s jewelry artistry and its enduring affinity with Art Deco style. The design’s geometry and refined proportions are enhanced by the emerald cut, chosen for both diamonds and colored stones to emphasize sophisticated luminosity.

Every model totals 45.66 carats of diamonds and at least another dozen carats of gemstones for the watch, bracelet and jewelry piece. The four interchangeable components include the fully gem-set watch, a detachable jewel piece, a three-row rivière-style bracelet, and a longer sautoir necklace made of nearly 200 Akoya pearls and between 50 and 60 carats of additional gemstones depending on the model. Very few brands specializing in high-jewelry watches use Akoya pearls – making these pieces even more special.

Each Grand Lady Kalla watch is powered by Vacheron Constantin’s quartz Caliber 1212 allowing for the miniature case size. Each case is crafted in 18-karat white gold, except for the Emerald, which is crafted in platinum,  and each measures just  19.4 x 30.1 mm and 8.3 mm thick.

The attention to detail in these watches extends beyond the stones and the settings themselves. Each claw setting is shaped to suggest a branch of the Maltese Cross — Vacheron Constantin’s emblem — and where four claws meet, the full cross subtly appears. The result is a design that reveals its complexity only upon close inspection, embodying both restraint and refinement.

Gemstone Specs of the Vacheron Constantin Grand Lady Kalla – Emerald

Watch: 950 platinum case, fully paved with 10 emerald-cut diamonds (5.84 cts) and 2 emerald-cut emeralds (0.78 cts); Dial fully paved with 14 emerald-cut diamonds (1.54 cts)

Bracelet: 950 Platinum Fully set with 103 emerald-cut diamonds (23.26 cts) and 8 emerald-cut emeralds (1.77 cts)

Jewel piece:  950 Platinum  Fully paved with 12 emerald-cut diamonds (7.66 cts), 2 emerald-cut emeralds (0.79 cts) and one central emerald, sugarloaf cut, SSEF-certified (1.95 cts)

Sautoir & Tassel: 199 Akoya pearls, 31 emerald beads (30.43 cts), 20 chrysoprase beads (18.80 cts), 120 brilliant-cut diamonds (1.10 cts), Sautoir thread material: white silk, Tassel thread material: nylon; Clasp in 950 Platinum with 3 chrysoprases (2.40 cts)