The tonneau or “barrel” shape, explored by Vacheron Constantin since 1912. In 1889, the Geneva-based manufacturer produced its very first wristwatches and also began charting new stylistic territory, in step with the major artistic movements characterising the dawn of the 20th century. In turn elongating, curving, embellishing or paring down the case according to the inspiration of the moment, Vacheron Constantin already introduced departures from exclusively round designs in 1912, starting with the famous tonneau or “barrel” shape.