One of the latest innovations in the world of high-end watchmaking, Vacheron Constantin's Quai De L'ile (the name refers to the company's store address in Geneva, Switzerland) does not manifest a breakthrough in technology, or even design. The real novelty consists of the unprecedented in its openness customization philosophy: clients have the option to assemble a watch according to their individual taste. At every step of the assembling process there are several choices, and all in all over one hundred personalized timepieces can be created.

Customizing luxury watches is nothing new in the high-end niche. Indeed, it has long been the norm, Vacheron Constantin routinely producing and fine-tuning unique or very limited production items to satisfy the refined tastes of elite connoisseurs. But the industrialized approach of Quai De L'ile marks a new step in the history of Vacheron Constantin and the entire luxury watches sphere. In Quai De L'ile, the company abdicates some of its privileges and allows the buyers to participate in the process – drawing them in and blurring the line between the customer and the manufacturer.

Vacheron Constantin's Quai De L'ile comprises two lines: the established current collection, consisting of six fixed variations, and the personalized collection. The models in the former – featuring a date or a day-date dial and mechanism – are encased in either pink gold, palladium or titanium, and enclosed by a sapphire crystal. The translucent dials reveal various parts of the mechanism via a somewhat snowy grid – a design feature that according to some critics obstructs time reading.

Overall, the peripheral design displays robust classic traits with sports overtones, while the dial produces a very busy and dynamic composition. In some models, however, the dynamics may appear so smooth as to inhibit the act of time reading. The reason for this excess smoothness is the lack of strong focal points which would fixate the eye instantly upon glancing. I think that this might be a minor style-over-usability concession Vacheron Constantin made in order to retain an aesthetically harmonious appearance.

But the great thing about Quai De L'ile is that any seeming visual shortcomings can be sidestepped by creating a personalized timepiece. The second line in this Vacheron Constantin collection grants the option to construct a day-date watch the lugs of which would be made of pink gold, the flanks of titanium and the bezel of palladium. This watch can have either the dark, the gray, or the light dial, and it can be worn using an alligator leather or a rubber strap, brown or black.

There are more features in the Quai De L'ile, such as laser engraving and various security precautions, but I would like to conclude with a psychological evaluation: what personality types I think this collection will suit best. It's obvious that it won't suit everybody – some oppose the idea of customized assemblage, others seek more visual clarity. In my opinion, Quai De L'ile (especially the gray and dark dials) will resonate with the moody, darker than usual characters, who may even have secretive tendencies. The snow on the faces of these watches conceals what the crystal wants to show – a struggle that may effectively echo a temperament peculiarity.

It may be that the real achievement of Vacheron Constantin Quai De L'ile does not rest in the technological, aesthetic or craftsmanship complexities, but in their capacity to reflect the state of mind of the modern man.