Vacheron Constantin Watches to use blockchain for certification

To combat counterfeiting and guarantee owners the authenticity of their watches throughout their lifespan, Vacheron Constantin is committing to a certification process supported by Blockchain technology. Keen to offer its customers optimal-quality service, the Maison adopts this highly innovative and high value-added form of authentication for Les Collectionneurs timepieces. This innovation was presented at Viva Technology 2019 in Paris, France.

Building on a heritage born in 1755 and based on the transmission of excellence through generations of master artisans, Vacheron Constantin continues to be fully engaged with its era. As the Richemont Group’s pilot Maison for testing the certification of its watches via Blockchain technology, the Manufacture confirms its constant desire to offer its customers the best possible guarantees.

Blockchain certification serves to avoid paper authentication, which can easily be forged. This new technology makes it possible to create a forgery-proof digital certificate of authenticity, which follows the watch throughout its life, even if that involves several changes of owner. A unique number is thus assigned to a unique object, making the two inseparable and securing data relating to the property, value, nature and authenticity of the timepiece.

Vacheron Constantin has chosen to conduct a first test on its Les Collectionneurs collection. Hunted out and selected with patience and talent by the Maison’s heritage specialists, these vintage watches cover the entire 20^th century. They are made available to connoisseurs at dedicated events organised in Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world. This offer without parallel in the watchmaking world now benefits – in addition to the printed certificate – from the new, protected digital certificate, guaranteeing its authenticity in a durable, immutable and transparent manner.

In addition to the possibility of effectively combating counterfeiting and ensuring traceability over time, Blockchain technology-enabled certification allows Vacheron Constantin to incorporate other elements within the certificate, such as a history of the item concerned as well as information on the collection and the Maison.

This first experience successfully presented at Viva Technology 2019 in Paris, opens up a wealth of possibilities for continuous improvement of service and warranties. The ultra-secure digital certification places the customer at the heart of the process by offering a guarantee of quality control, authenticity, traceability and data protection, while ensuring his anonymity.