Vacheron Constantin has called upon the Arianee consortium to activate and deploy its digital certification via Blockchain technology, announced on May 20th 2019. This authentication, which has been in effect on the watches in the Maison’s Les Collectionneurs collection since May 15th, offers customers an unparalleled certification and traceability service, with the ongoing objective of combating counterfeiting.
As the Richemont group’s pilot company in the implementation of digital watch certification, Vacheron Constantin opted to work with Arianee to find a guarantee and authentication solution based on data protection and customer anonymity. By virtue of its status as an association created in 2019, the Arianee project’s approach to Blockchain takes the form of a decentralised and independent protocol, thereby giving watch owners the assurance of neutrality.
According to Guillaume Boilot, Chief Operating Officer Vacheron Constantin: “by announcing the digitisation of its certificates of authenticity, our company is evolving with the times, as ever at the service of its customers. Through Blockchain technology and in partnership with Arianee, we offer them real security regarding the authenticity of their watches.”
With Arianee, the use of cryptographic technology and the decentralised characteristics of Blockchain technology, Vacheron Constantin wishes to evaluate the possibility of creating a standard protocol for the digital certification of objects that could be used by all luxury stakeholders.
Pierre-Nicolas Hurstel, CEO Arianee, added: “We are proud to have been able to allow Vacheron Constantin to issue the certificate of authenticity using Blockchain technology. Digital identities will transform the way we own valuable assets and Arianne couldn’t dream of a better first step than this pilot program as we continue on our path to building a global standard.”
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. 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.”