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Brian M. Afuang

What Vacheron Constantin And Arianee Will Do Together

Halting counterfeits is one

“THE future of ownership” is how luxury Blockchain firm Arianee is pitching what it calls the Arianee protocol. This system assigns a premium item an authentic, secure and augmented digital identity which can be privately shared among brands, products and owners. Consumers these days easily turn into collectors and resellers, the company says, and being able to create a “perpetual yet anonymous link” between them and the brands is what constitutes “true luxury.”

Vacheron Constantin is now turning to Arianee for the activation and deployment of its Blockchain digital certification. The watchmaker on May 15 started using this authentication method for its Les Collectionneurs pieces — much-coveted watches built in the last century which were hunted by the maison’s experts and sold at exclusive events in Vacheron Constantin boutiques. The certification guarantees a particular Vacheron Constantin is genuine, and makes counterfeiting one quite difficult. It will soon be available beyond the Les Collectionneurs watches.

Vacheron Constantin

And Vacheron Constantin is piloting the technology for the Richemont Group, in which it belongs.

Here is how it works: Each watch registered on the Arianee protocol is given a digital certificate (including a unique number) on top of a traditional paper authentication. The certificate consists of a digital passport which can be transferred from one owner to another, and carries data regarding ownership, value, nature and authenticity of the watch. The certificate also creates an anonymous communication link between the owner and Vacheron Constantin. The owner can insure the watch, prove its authenticity, or even declare it lost or stolen, via the protocol.

Yup, just try forging these.

Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin COO Guillaume Boilot says the digitization of the certificates of authenticity only indicates the maison is “evolving with the times,” noting that Blockchain technology and Arianee’s role allow the brand to offer customers “real security regarding the authenticity of their watches.”

Vacheron Constantin adds its adoption of the technology will hopefully in future lead to a standard protocol for the digital certification of luxury objects, not just watches.

Arianee CEO Pierre-Nicolas Hurstel says digital identities will “transform the way” valuable assets are owned, and that its pilot program with Vacheron Constantin will create a global standard.

Through watches, it’s an idea whose time has come.

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