Vacheron Constantin was founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron, an independent watchmaker in Geneva, Switzerland. The company is an active member of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH, and produces about 20,000 timepieces per year. It has partnered up with Arianee to use blockchain technology to store digital certificates of their collection of vintage watches. 

Arianee is one of the first concrete Blockchain applications available to end consumers. This open source solution has
been designed to give each object an unforgeable, durable, secure and transferable digital identity. Each watch registered
on the Arianee protocol is given a certificate in addition to the traditional paper authentication.

Anybody can run a public node that allows them to verify all data recorded on the Arianee blockchain. While everybody can verify the blockchain, Arianee uses a Proof of Authority protocol to record new information. Authority nodes are the only nodes allowed to seal blocks on the Arianee blockchain.

Each watch registered on the Arianee protocol is given a certificate in addition to the traditional paper authentication. This consists of a digital passport with several innovative features: it can be transferred from one owner to another; it creates an anonymous link between the owner and Vacheron Constantin; and it is open as well as connected, thus enabling its owner to insure the model, declare it lost or stolen, as well as share or prove its ownership.

Angela Au-Yeung, Chief Digital Officer Vacheron Constantin, explains: "This certification creates bridges and interactions between customers, their watches and our Maison. By securing via Blockchain, we can now track our products throughout their life cycle and communicate with their owners without asking them to compromise their anonymity.”