Monochrome Monday: Vacheron Constantin Harmony Collection Debuts at SIHH 2015


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On the occasion of the 260th anniversary of its founding, Vacheron Constantin unveils the first models of an entirely new collection called Harmony. Issued in limited editions, these new timepieces are at once contemporary and vintage-inspired. They feature a new cushion shape and a design inspired by one of the brand’s first wristwatch chronographs introduced in 1928. New in-house movements, new design and interesting complications: please welcome the Vacheron Constantin Harmony collection, courtesy of the team at Monochrome Watches.

Common features of the Vacheron Constantin Harmony collection:

It’s seven new watches (including two ladies’ watches), starting from a rather simple dual-time timepiece to an extremely complicated ultra-slim split-second chronograph — Vacheron Constantin is not just presenting a new model, but an entire collection, mainly focused on chronographs and having a singular design and high-end movements, all developed especially for this new range. Clearly, Vacheron Constantin wants to please collectors for its 260th anniversary.

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The design is pleasant and modern, even if inspired by an antique watch. A curved case middle, a square bezel and a round crystal meet in an elegant reinterpretation of the monopusher chronograph with pulsometric scale presented by Vacheron in 1928. The dials are also inspired by these antique chronographs and come with contrasting scales and bi-compax layouts (two subdials).

Vacheron Constantin Chronograph Monopusher 1928
Vacheron Constantin Chronograph Monopusher 1928

The finishing is also extremely interesting on the four new movements: all come with hand-made engravings – on the cock bridge or the rotor – and all are adorned with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. The Harmony collection successfully blends traditional haute horlogerie with modern technical solutions and a truly inspired design.

The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Ultra-Thin Grande Complication Chronograph Caliber 3500

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The flagship model of the new collection is presented in a 10-piece limited, numbered edition. The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Ultra-Thin Grande Complication Chronograph immediately makes its mark in the field of ultra-thin horology by setting a new world record with its self-winding movement, measuring just 5.2 mm thick, inside a 8.4-mm cushion-shaped case.

What we are talking about here is a pure feast for collectors and haute horlogerie lovers. The movement combines automatic winding with peripheral rotor – a very rare complication that explains the very thin movement, as the rotor is not located on top of the movement but around it, thus saving at least 2 to 3 mm, as in the Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Thin Automatic 5377 or the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Self-winding Tourbillon Chronograph – with a split-second monopusher chronograph (actuated by two column wheels), a total of 459 parts, all hand-finished, a bi-compax layout and a power-reserve indicator, together in an extremely compact caliber.

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This caliber benefits from the numerous advanced features designed by the manufacture’s development team, including the so-called “friction” technique for the lateral coupling clutch, which serves to reduce a potential jerk of the hand when the chronograph starts running. Another particularly notable breakthrough is the blocking of the rotor when the barrel is sufficiently wound, thereby avoiding excessive tension in the winding spring. Furthermore, the movement is not only technically advanced but also extremely beautiful to look at, with a superb layout, as none of the elements are hidden by the rotor.

The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Ultra-Thin Grande Complication Chronograph comes in a 950 platinum case measuring 42 mm x 52 mm and 8.4 mm thick. The dial shows a nice contrast between the white opaline base, the blue Arabic numerals (matching the strap) and the red tachymeter scale.

The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Tourbillon Chronograph Caliber 3200

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Powered by the new hand-winding Vacheron Constantin Caliber 3200, the Vacheron Constantin Harmony Tourbillon Chronograph combines the elegance of the monopusher chronograph with the prestige of a stunning tourbillon shaped like a Maltese Cross. This exceptional new model is issued in a highly exclusive series of 26 individually numbered timepieces housed in a precious 950 platinum case.

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Vacheron Constantin Caliber 3200 features a bridge hand-engraved with delicate scrolling patterns. It drives the hours, minutes, small seconds, a one-minute tourbillon, a monopusher chronograph with 45-minute counter and a power-reserve indicator. Endowed with a 65-hour power reserve, this mechanical hand-winding complication movement is composed of 292 parts, all hand-decorated, as the Hallmark of Geneva can attest.

The case measures 42 mm x 52 mm and 12.81 mm thick. It comes with a white opaline dial, with Arabic numerals.

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