Cover Morgan Maillard, Style and Heritage Expert, Vacheron Constantin
Morgan Maillard, Style and Heritage Expert, Vacheron Constantin
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Watchmaker Morgan Maillard tells Tatler GMT how he is easing into his relatively new role as Style and Heritage Expert at Vacheron Constantin
At 33, Morgan Maillard has already spent 12 years with Vacheron Constantin, joining the Swiss maison as a young watchmaker. He worked in its Singapore, Geneva and New York boutiques before returning to the manufacture’s Swiss headquarters to take up the role of Style and Heritage Expert in 2025. Tatler GMT caught up with Maillard at Watches and Wonders 2026 to learn more about his current position.
This is your first Watches and Wonders as Style and Heritage Expert. How do you feel?
It’s nice to see how enthusiastic everyone is when we talk about our new novelties. It’s been fun explaining our vision for the brand and the inspiration behind our new products. It’s been a very interesting experience.
How did you go from being a watchmaker to a Style and Heritage Expert?
I think what helped me was my understanding of client behaviour because I was repairing watches and had a lot of interaction with clients. I also have a strong knowledge of vintage timepieces. I’ve been working closely with Christian (Selmoni, Style and Heritage Director) on many activations, and we share many of the same passions when it comes to watches. I didn’t expect to be offered this role, but I thought it would be a good challenge. What I love about watchmaking is the sharing—the sharing of passion, knowledge and techniques. And Vacheron Constantin has such a deep history.
Read more: Cory Richards on how his extreme explorations led to a brand partnership with Vacheron Constantin
Above Vacheron Constantin’s “One of not many” campaign featuring four individuals—musicians Benjamin Clementine and James Bay, multidisciplinary designer Ora Ito, and photographer and explorer Cory Richards—that embody the manufacture’s spirit of innovation and creativity
Vacheron Constantin’s “One of not many” campaign featuring four individuals—musicians Benjamin Clementine and James Bay, multidisciplinary designer Ora Ito, and photographer and explorer Cory Richards—that embody the manufacture’s spirit of innovation and creativity
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What are your main responsibilities?
I like to say it’s a mix of the past, present and future. I’m the link between our heritage and our clients. The present is about travelling and sharing what we do as a watch maison. The future is about bringing back feedback from our clients around the world and combining that with our heritage to inspire new designs. We have an amazing team of designers already doing incredible work, but sometimes we can push things a little further.
What is it about Vacheron Constantin’s history that fascinates you the most?
Every timepiece we have produced since 1755 has had a certain sophistication and elegance. You can see it from generation to generation. The design changes, the movement changes, but we’re neither over-the-top nor stuck in the past. Vacheron Constantin has always been about commissioned pieces, so it has always been about listening to our clients. That has helped us build such a diverse portfolio.
What skill from your time as a watchmaker has proved most valuable in the heritage department? And was there anything you had to unlearn?
There’s nothing you need to unlearn. I think everything you learn in life, professionally or personally, can be applied at any moment. During my time as a watchmaker, I realised I really enjoyed talking to people, so that has helped me a lot in my current role.
Do you miss being a watchmaker?
No, because I’m still close to the products. When we launch a new calibre, I can get to the workbench and disassemble it to discover what’s inside.
Above The new Historiques American 1921 versus the vintage original
The new Historiques American 1921 versus the vintage original
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When you look at a vintage watch, say the Historiques American 1921, can you read the intention of the watchmaker who first built it? And if so, how does that help you convey its story to a contemporary audience?
The history of the American 1921 is a great example. We made the first batch in 1919 in a very military, utilitarian style with radium numerals and large hands. Then, in 1921, we created more sophisticated timepieces with the crown positioned on the opposite side. In 2008, the designer decided to combine those two generations and created the American 1921. I think it’s the perfect example of how we can infuse an iconic model with a modern vision without losing its DNA. It’s one of my favourites as a watchmaker—I love the feeling of winding it.
With more than 270 years of history, Vacheron Constantin has an extraordinary archive of timepieces. Are there any pieces you’d love to see receive a contemporary reinterpretation?
We’re always working on many things. The fact is, I don’t think there’s one particular timepiece. Not every watch needs to be reinterpreted for today. Vacheron Constantin has done an amazing job with Historiques models such as the 222, the Cornes de Vache and the American 1921. But I don’t think bringing every historical timepiece into the modern era is necessarily the right tribute. Some pieces deserve to remain in their own time and have their own impact.
I’m thinking about one timepiece that I absolutely love as a vintage piece, but I don’t want to see it as a modern watch—at least not yet. It’s a 1917 model we nicknamed the “Sole”. It’s a very substantial wristwatch measuring 46mm by 23mm, with a wavy shape that resembles the sole of a shoe. It’s an amazing timepiece that still looks surprisingly modern today, but it was also perfect in 1917. We have to be careful not to simply copy and paste a cool design. If we decide to revive it, it has to be done the right way—keeping its DNA while bringing a sense of freshness.
How do you evolve style while still honouring the maison’s roots?
It’s a tricky balance. Take the new Overseas Self-Winding Ultra-Thin, for example. The salmon dial has been one of our signatures since the 1940s. The platinum case uses a new alloy mixed with gallium and copper, making it harder and more resistant to shocks and scratches. So there’s a nice combination of heritage and modernity in an elegant two-hand Overseas. As I mentioned, we draw from the past, look to the future, listen to our clients and find the right balance.
Above The Overseas Self-Winding Ultra-Thin features the new ultra-thin Calibre 2550
The Overseas Self-Winding Ultra-Thin features the new ultra-thin Calibre 2550
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Brian Cheong leads the watch (Tatler GMT) and jewellery content at Tatler Malaysia, combining sharp editorial insight with years of luxury lifestyle experience. A seasoned journalist in luxury watches based in Kuala Lumpur, Brian had previously helmed World of Watches, Men's Folio and Prestige Malaysia.
