King Farouk I and Vacheron Constantin
This piece delves into the horological passion of King Farouk I of Egypt, tracing his collecting habits and his relationship with Vacheron & Constantin. It highlights a significant visit to the Vacheron & Constantin workshops in 1937 and examines the complex timepieces commissioned for him and his father, King Fouad I.
- King Farouk I visited Vacheron & Constantin workshops in Geneva on March 30, 1937.
- King Fouad I received a Vacheron & Constantin pocket watch with eight hands in 1929.
- A more complex Vacheron & Constantin watch for Farouk I was built between 1930 and 1935.
- This watch for Farouk I featured 15 complications and measured 80 mm.
- Farouk I requested the month indication be changed from English to French on his watch.
King Farouk I, at 16, visited Vacheron & Constantin workshops, showing a deep interest in understanding watches from the inside.
Farouk's remark, 'One will never ruin as many watches as I ruined as a child!', was interpreted by some as evidence of mechanical curiosity rather than destruction.
King Fouad I's Vacheron & Constantin pocket watch, gifted by the Swiss colony of Egypt, featured eight hands and was the manufacture's most ambitious piece to date.
The watch for Fouad I had its day and month indications changed from English to French at the request of Francis Peter, as Fouad was a Francophile.
The watch commissioned for Farouk I, intended to mark his new reign, was built between 1930 and 1935 and housed 820 components.
The 80mm watch for Farouk I included a minute repeater, grande et petite sonnerie on three gongs, split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar with moonphase, alarm, and dual power reserve indications.
Farouk I's act of changing the month indication to French mirrored his father's preference, suggesting a close examination of the timepiece.