The Malte collection refers to the Maltese cross integrated into the Vacheron Constantin logo and present on almost all of its watch dials. This cross became the brand's emblem in 1880. Vacheron Constantin drew inspiration from its history when designing the contours of the watches in the Malte collection, launched in 2000. In 1912, when the wristwatch was still in its infancy, the Manufacture was among the first to break with the roundness of pocket watches by adopting the tonneau (barrel) shape. This would become an important feature of the aesthetic developed by the brand, which chose that same shape for the watch commemorating its 240th anniversary in 1995. Five years later, Vacheron Constantin celebrated the year 2000 by launching its first Malte collection. Named after the emblematic cross, it was intended to become a reference collection by offering a contemporary take on the Manufacture’s technical and aesthetic heritage. In doing so, it offered round and tonneau-shaped models characterised by stepped, fan-shaped lugs, a crown bearing a stylised interpretation of the Maltese cross and facetted sword-shaped hands. It notably featured the Malte Tonneau Tourbillon model, equipped with a manual-winding movement which was entirely designed and developed for the occasion in the brand’s workshops. Its most striking feature – unlike any other movement in the collection before or since – was its own tonneau shape. This was also the first time that the tourbillon carriage had taken the form of the Maltese cross, making this exceptional creation all the more characteristic of the Malte spirit. In 2003 it was introduced in a skeletonised version and, in 2008, its case was given a first update. Tauter lines, more compact lugs and lug-covers serving to perfect the seamless strap integration offered a foretaste of the new-generation Malte collection. From 2012 onwards, all Malte watches were to be housed in a tonneau case featuring refined lines, more curving sides and more discreet lugs, partially hidden beneath the bezel. The dial is generally personalised with Roman numerals at 12 and 6 o'clock. Classic in spirit, contemporary in style, the new collection lends itself to elegantly restrained versions for men and women. The pièce de résistance is the Malte Tourbillon in pink gold. The collection also includes a moon phase model with power-reserve indicator.

• Gold tonneau-shaped wristwatch launched in 2000 and including a ‘form’ movement, tourbillon at 6 o’clock adorned with a Maltese cross