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Unveiling its new Lady Kalla collection, Vacheron Constantin showcases its high jewellery craftsmanship in three new sets, as adaptable as they are beautiful!

The original jewellery watches were designed so women could wear a piece of jewellery and, when the occasion called for it, discreetly glance at the time. Traditionally, it was a bracelet with a very small watch within, or a pendant watch, where one could glance down at the pendant with a tip of the finger and see the time. This allowed watchmaking brands to showcase their skills in high jewellery, creating beautiful gem-set pieces that were as functional as they were beautiful. Vacheron Constantin is a prime example of this, and among its collection, an early gem-set piece dating from 1812 and a piece from 1924 set with gemstones in multiple colours, which can be transformed from a pendant into a brooch.

Fast forward to 1979, and Vacheron Constantin brought to life a one-of-a-kind high jewellery watch in the form of the Kallista – Greek for “The Most Beautiful” as a tribute to those early gem-set pieces from the early 1900s. Very Art Deco in design, and paired a rivière bracelet with a solid 18K gold case weighing 140 grams, sculpted in one piece from a single ingot and set with 130 carats of diamonds.

Since this model, there have been several iterations of the Lady Kalla. In 1980, an 18K yellow gold version was presented. It was set with 108 emerald-cut diamonds for a total of approximately 30 carats and a series of ‘Kalla’ variations followed, including Miss Kalla, Queen Kalla, Lord Kalla, King Kalla, Duchesse Kalla, and across the last 20-30 years, more variations have graced Vacheron Constantin, from the 30th Anniversary piece in 2010 to the Grand Lady Kalla in 2024. In 2025, the Lady Kalla returns, this time in three different sets, and with the watch having an interchangeable function, it is able to be worn in four different ways.

Three Versatile Pieces

For this collection, Vacheron Constantin has chosen three different gemstones as the focal point for the Lady Kalla. Blue sapphires, emeralds or rubies. These allow the wearer to choose a piece that reflects their style and personality. With a bracelet and pendant necklace, you can swap out the watch and jewel piece, allowing you to choose where you want to view the time from – the pendant or the bracelet. So essentially, you have four ways to wear the set, the bracelet with the watch or jewel peice in, and the pendant with the watch or jewel piece in. In each set, there is a three-row rivière-style bracelet, which comprises 103 diamonds set with eight emerald-cut jewels (sapphires, emeralds or rubies) on the bracelet, two on the watch and two on the jewel piece, along with one sugarloaf-cut gem within it.

The pendant necklace allows the wearer to swap out the central jewel piece and replace it with the watch. Each pendant, or sautoir & tassel features 199 Akoya pearls, 31 emeralds, sapphires or rubies (depending on the set), 20 chrysoprase beads on the emerald, 20 pink chalcedony beads on the ruby, 20 blue chalcedony beads on the sapphire and 120 brilliant-cut diamonds in each. The clasp on each is made from 950 Platinum, and features 3 blue chalcedonies on the blue sapphire, 3 pink chalcedonies on the ruby and 3 chrysoprases on the emerald. All up, there are over 50 carats worth of gems in the emerald, and over 60 carats in the sapphire and ruby pendants.

Assisting in the interchangeability of the Lady Kalla is the central jewel piece that can be swapped with the watch piece using the ingenious hidden locking mechanism. Each jewel piece is set in the same precious metal as the accompanying set – 18k white gold for the sapphire and ruby, and 950 platinum for the emerald. Each is set with 12 emerald-cut diamonds, 2 emerald-cut gems, representative of each set (rubies, sapphires or emeralds) and then a central sugarloaf-cut gem in the centre for over 11 carats in the ruby and sapphire, and 10 carats in the emerald.

Initial Thoughts

The world of watches is wide and varied, and even though we report mostly on mechanical watches that are considered your standard type of watch, sometimes a brand, like Vacheron Constantin, comes out with a piece that takes time-telling to a whole new level. And it doesn’t have to be mechanical mastery either, like the world record-breaking Solaria the maison released this year. It can be a feat of craftsmanship in the high jewellery space, which the Lady Kalla collection is.

Until you have experienced what it takes to create high jewellery like the Lady Kalla, you don’t ever really appreciate it as it should be. I know that for me, I didn’t, until I visited a few brands and spoke to the gem setters and saw how pieces like this are made – meticulously by hand, each gem set one by one, and each of the frames hand moulded and shaped, and each bead threaded by hand. Once experienced, you get a newfound appreciation for the hours and hours of work that it takes to craft high jewellery pieces, even if you’re not the intended subject. As for this collection, Vacheron Constantin has given the Lady Kalla some colour, and those with the fortunate ability to afford such a piece, the choice to suit their style is a bonus, as is the ability to change up each piece from a functional piece of jewellery to a stunning showstopper.

References & Specifications

Grand Lady Kalla Sapphire – 1208J/118G-H131

Grand Lady Kalla Ruby – 1208J/118G-H130

Grand Lady Kalla Emerald – 1208J/118P-H129

Retail Price: Price on application

Availability: For availability, see your local Vacheron Constantin boutique, or head to Vacheron-Constantin.com