July 11, 2016: Cornes de vache 1955, American 1921 and Ultra-fine 1955 are the three most coveted models by collectors which are now being reborn within the Vacheron Constantin Historiques collection. These pink gold or platinum modern reinterpretations give new life to the iconic creations punctuating the history of the Geneva-based Manufacture since 1755.
Historiques Cornes de vache 1955
This classic watch fitted with its distinctive ‘cow horn’ lugs is inspired by the first water-resistant chronograph designed by Vacheron Constantin in 1955. As one of the three references most sought-after by collectors, the vintage icon is reinterpreted here in pink gold. However, it expresses the creativity of the Manufacture in the 1950s through its stylized lugs creating a tension with the traditional chronograph construction with two round pushbuttons. Equipped with a column wheel shaped like a Maltese cross, the emblem of the Manufacture, Caliber 1142 powering the Historiques Cornes de vache 1955 drives the hours, minutes, small seconds and chronograph functions while ensuring a 48-hour power reserve. This entirely hand-decorated manual-winding movement is revealed through the transparent back of the 38.5 mm-diameter case that is water-resistant to 30 meters. The model’s silvered opaline dial is punctuated by applied numerals and hour-markers swept over by gold hands. The deep blue direct-drive seconds hand, 30-minute counter hand and tachymetric scale enhance the optimal legibility of this complex yet airy display.
Historiques American 1921
Crafted in platinum, the Historiques American 1921 is inspired by an original cushion-shaped model with a crown placed between 1 and 2 o’clock, created by Vacheron Constantin in the 1920s for the American market. This reinterpretation remains loyal to the original version through an imposing cambered case diagonal time read-off, offset ball-shaped crown and small seconds between 4 and 5 o’clock. The finely grained silvered dial bears 12 blue painted Arabic numerals and a black railway-type minute track, swept over by blued Breguet-type hands. Fitted with a lightly domed crystal, the 40 mm-diameter case water-resistant to 30 meters houses Vacheron Constantin manual-winding Caliber 4400 AS. This features a 65-hour autonomy that drives hours, minutes and small seconds indications. These features are complemented by a dark blue alligator leather strap fitted with a platinum buckle.
Historiques Ultra-fine 1955
Testifying to Vacheron Constantin’s ancestral lines in the making of ultra-thin watches, the Historiques Ultra-fine 1955 model is powered by the mechanical manual-winding Vacheron Constantin Caliber 1003, presented in 1955. In its new interpretation timepiece accommodates its movement inside a round 36 mm-diameter case made of platinum. A micromechanical masterpiece comprising 117 components and yet measuring 1.64 mm thick, it reveals its 18K gold bridges and plate adorned with exceptional hand-crafted finishes through the sapphire crystal back of the case that is water-resistant to 30 meters. This classic watch with its 31-hour autonomy is one of the thinnest in the world, at just 4.13 mm thick. Its hours and minutes functions are displayed on a silvered opaline dial featuring gold baton-type hands and painted blue hour-markers matching the dark shade of the strap with its platinum buckle.
The Vacheron Constantin Historiques collection is available at select boutiques around the world.
