Why I'm Excited About the Watch World's First Horological Concours d'Elegance
The inaugural Vacheron Constantin Concours d’Élégance Horlogère, organized with Phillips, will showcase 34 finalist watches selected from more than 550 submissions spanning the period from 1755 to 1999. The competition, inspired by automotive concours events, aims to highlight exceptional timepieces for their engineering, design, rarity and historical significance, and will be judged by an international jury before the winners are announced on 10 November 2026 in Geneva. The finalists will be exhibited at the Hôtel Président Wilson in Geneva from 4 to 8 November, offering the public a rare chance to view these privately owned pieces before they return to their owners. Seven category winners and a possible Best‑in‑Show award will be revealed, establishing a new tradition that could become a lasting fixture in the watch‑collecting world.
Buying Time Analysis: This story highlights the historic launch of the watch world’s first Concours d’Élégance Horlogère, underscoring its role in celebrating horological craftsmanship, preserving watch heritage, and establishing a new tradition that parallels prestigious automotive concours events.
