By then we were all a little hungry - good thing, too, because the chefs at the VC commissary were ready for us - in spades!

The setting was lovely…

 …but to say that the repast went beyond expectations goes without saying; this is cafeteria food?

I can still taste those Kirsch-soaked cherries! The Swiss wines weren’t bad, either

 Enjoying lunch are Pascal Brandt and Ron, with VC World Marketing Director Julien Marchenoir in the background yakking on his cell phone (you can never have enough sales!):

Here, Ron almost gets his last wish fulfilled

The scenery inside is just as beautiful as outdoors...

Enjoying a postprandial break are (clockwise from left):

 Ron, Colin, R.J., me, Bernie (hidden), Julien and Pascal.

Together again for the first time are:

 Nick, Julien, Pascal, Ron and myself.

***************

Back to work! After donning dustproof gowns and slipper, we’re off to inspect the movement department. Here’s Chris in full sartorial splendor:

VC still maintains its manufactory in the Vallee de Joux, where approximately 75 employees work in R&D, Components Production, Decoration, Assembly and the requirements for the Poincon de Geneve. Here in Plan-Les-Ouates the 180 employees work on movements only. Total annual production of Vacheron Constantin is about 15,200 watches per year.

Here, a Master Watchmaker instructs an apprentice on the use of a precision lathe:

A station devoted to polishing the clicks:

Students in Vacheron’s training program:

Movement assembly:

Watchmaker and Tour Guide Rupert Uhner explaining the finer points of balancing:

Satchi and Linda share a humorous moment while VC Assistant Ylva Lundegren looks on:

‘Master Watchmaker of Grand Complications’ is the official title of M. Lefrancois, who is responsible for the assembly of Vacheron’s most complicated movements including the incomparable Minute Repeaters:

The microscope here…

…shows the detailing and the Poincon on a movement: