Comments:
2. 14-day Tourbillon
Peripheral Rotor with engraving
See two Maltese Cross?
Let's magnify....
Very thin and comfortable....
2. Harmony Tourbillon Chronograph
There are three Maltese Cross (the third one cannot be seen easily)
Below the "Y-shape" bridge is the third Cross (underneath the yellow gear).
Beautifully engraved Tourbillon bridge
Blue arabic numeral and the Chronograph second hand is beautiful.
3. Harmony Dual Time Small Model
6. Harmony Chronograph
Please go on to the last series - ARCA Clocks
This message has been edited by KIH on 2015-01-22 13:10:42
SIHH 2015: Vacheron Constantin - Booth and Live Pics
Hello everyone. Here is, belatedly, the live pics of the Vacheron Constantin booth and some of the novelties. I will separate the thread to four parts:
Motif for the 260th Anniversary engraving.
Here, also.
ARCA Clock sketches.
ARCA Clock mechanism....
Harmony tourbillon chronograph pictures on the wall.
Harmony Collection on display.
1935 Art Deco Triptych Table Clock. Japanese Style. 8-day power reserve.
1927 Art Deco Triptech Table Clock. 8-day power reserve.
This message has been edited by KIH on 2015-01-26 01:59:57
1. Booth
2. Metiers D'Art: Mechaniques Gravees Collection
3. Harmony Collection
4. ARCA Clocks
This whole report was made thanks to the cooperation of Vacheron Constantin team, especially Mr. Gouget (CEO, Vacheron Constantin Japan), Ms. Nakamura, Ms. Nogami, and Alex. Thank you so much!
Ken
======================================================================
1. Booth
Motif for the 260th Anniversary engraving.
Here, also.
ARCA Clock sketches.
ARCA Clock mechanism....
Harmony tourbillon chronograph pictures on the wall.
Harmony Collection on display.
1926 Art Deco table clock. Japanese style. 8-day power reserve.
1935 Art Deco Triptych Table Clock. Japanese Style. 8-day power reserve.
1927 Art Deco Triptech Table Clock. 8-day power reserve.
Everybody, smile! (sorry for my blurry photo)
To be continued for the collections live pics.
To be continued for the collections live pics.
Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2015-01-26 01:59:57
2. Metier D'Art: Mecaniques Gravees Collection
For those non-French speaking...
Gravee=Engraved
1. 1100A/000P-B026
Cal. 4400/1
PT case, 39mm, 8.50mm thick
Only available in Vacheron Constantin Boutiques
More than 10 days to engrave a single 4400/1 calibar.
2. 14-day Tourbillon
6000A/000P-B026
This message has been edited by KIH on 2015-01-22 12:28:40
Cal. 2260/1
PT case
41mm, 12.35mm Thick
Only available in Vacheron Constantin Boutiques
More than a week's work for a single movement.
Just "wow"....
Just "wow"....
To be continued to "Harmony Collection"
3. Harmony Collection
Here are the new line-up "Harmony Collection" - there was a model which inspired the series, but completely re-invented collection.
1. Harmony Chronograph Ultra-Thin Grande Complication (Rattrapante)
54005/000P-B057
Cal. 3500
PT case
42mm x 52mm, 8.4mm thick
Silvered Opaline Dial
Only available in Vacheron Constantin Boutiques
LE of 10!
Peripheral Rotor with engraving
See two Maltese Cross?
Let's magnify....
Very thin and comfortable....
2. Harmony Tourbillon Chronograph
Ca. 3200
45 minutes counter
Power reserve at 6h
LE of 26
There are three Maltese Cross (the third one cannot be seen easily)
Below the "Y-shape" bridge is the third Cross (underneath the yellow gear).
Beautifully engraved Tourbillon bridge
Blue arabic numeral and the Chronograph second hand is beautiful.
3. Harmony Dual Time Small Model
7805S/000G-B052
Cal. 2460DT
WG case
37mm x 46.6mm, 11.18mm thick
LE of 500
88 round-cut diamonds, total 1.2 carat.
260th anniversary engraving on the rotor.
4. Harmony Dual Time
88 round-cut diamonds, total 1.2 carat.
260th anniversary engraving on the rotor.
4. Harmony Dual Time
7810S/000R-B051
Cal. 2460DT
PG case
40mm x 49.3mm, 11.43mm thick
LE of 625
WG version
WG version
LE of 625
Not bad
5. Harmony Chronograph Small Model - Vacheron Constantin's FIRST Lady's Chronograph Watch
Not bad
5. Harmony Chronograph Small Model - Vacheron Constantin's FIRST Lady's Chronograph Watch
Cal. 1142
6. Harmony Chronograph
5300S/000R-B055
Cal. 3300
PG case
42mm x 52mm, 12.81mm thick
Silvered Opaline Dial
LE of 260
Again, there are THREE Maltese Cross...
Here you see the "third" one hiding below the Y-shape bridge, underneath the yellow gear.
May feel a bit big and thick, compared to the previous ones.
Took the video:
Again, there are THREE Maltese Cross...
Here you see the "third" one hiding below the Y-shape bridge, underneath the yellow gear.
May feel a bit big and thick, compared to the previous ones.
Took the video:
=====================================================================================
And this was the inspiration of the Harmony Collection - 1928 Mono-pusher, Minute Counter Chronograph.
Please go on to the last series - ARCA Clocks
Vacheron broke my heart...
I quickly saw the two chronographs for men, the " simple " one, and the Rattrapante. My heart started to beat faster, much faster... Finally, one modern Vacheron I badly wanted!
The dial looks superb, the case of the Rattrapante nicely proportionned, the case of the Chrono a bit thick, yes, but hey, I was on to love it...
Till...Till the moment I noticed something at 6 o clock... The small power reserve indicator. Then, bang, the door on the face, end of the love story... How can you kill a dial with such a small detail?
Was it really necessary to put this power reserve on such a Watch?
Best,
Nicolas
This message has been edited by amanico on 2015-01-22 22:38:51You, picky, grumpy, old man... :-)
... My suggestion - flip it and enjoy the peripheral rotor with beautiful engraving together with Maltese Crosses? Kidding!
I see your point. I kind of have a feeling that many will come out from this new "line" going forward and one day, they make simple enamel dial... drooling....
Be patient, Nico!
Ken
To each his own . . .
I like the PR function. Better on the backside perhaps, but still tastefully done on the dial. The Harmony introduction is a home run imho.
M4
You are 100% right. Nobody has the monopole of the Truth.
I just regret the anachronism of a Watch which is strongly linked to the past ( 2 Subdials Chrono + aesthetical choices ) but which adds something which has nothing to see with such a Watch.
But here again, the fact that it is important for me doesn't mean that it must be important for everybody. It is not the expression of a truth, just an opinion.
Best,
Nicolas
Ok, ok. I am starting to get it
Thanks for this report, Ken.
The press photos first released left me a bit unenthusiastic about the new Harmony line.
With the live photos and video, I see a different story. The harmony Chronograph and the Split Seconds Chronograph are getting to me the more I study them. I cannot wait to see them in the metal, if I ever have the chance. I will have to wait on a trusted friend's report in a few weeks when he will have the opportunity. And I look forward to what VC will do with these new calibers in other lines and other watches, which I feel is a certainty.
Bravo Ken and bravo Vacheron Constantin!
respo
Chronographs - Stunning and flawed
Great report, as always!
The thin split-seconds model is a stunner. The proportions are perfect and the movement is stunning. It could have done without the power reserve, but it is well-integrated and doesn't bother me.
The ladies model would be a good men's watch without the diamonds, but I've always been non-plussed with giant watches.
The monopusher chronograph has the nicest dial of the three, in my opinion. The circular power reserve in place of the "6", fits into the dial and the gold outlines that surround the subdials help too. The dial would probably still look better without the power reserve, even if I want to excuse it. The watch does looks a bit chunky compared to the recent chronographs (12 vs 10.5 mm), but the proportions are fine for larger wrists.
Collectors with small wrists might feel a bit sad, but I look forward to the serial production pieces.
I like the Harmony Collection...
And especially the Harmony Chronograph. Finally we can see a chronograph 100% designed in-house.
Thank you,
Constantin
Like it but...
Did they have to give it overarching theme of 260th anniversary? Will they celebrate 270th, and five years later 275th? Seems like they tried to force something 'larger than life' for the launch of this collection. 25 years between major celebrations is perfectly fine.
4. ARCA Clocks
On the occasion of its 260th Anniversary, Vacheron Constantin has united in a single project (12 clocks with rare mineral cases) more than seven talents - a watchmaker, a guillocheur, an enamel artist (index are all enamel), an engraver, a gilder and a stone-cutter.
Cal. 9260
Power reserve - 30-day
Constant-force device
LE or 12 with various stones.
Prototype in the display box.
This is the inspiration for the clock - dating back to 1933
That is it!
Very well done 260th Anniversary.
Thank you!
Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2015-01-22 13:32:48
Amazing report Ken!
Thank you. Alas I couldn't attend SIHH but thank you an all mods and PuristS friends who attended and shared your experiences with us.
The new harmony series is a winner in my books. A new collection to mark VC's 260th anniversary. Well done VC!
Cheers
Robin
Agreed!
There are brands which introduced interesting new models here and there, but I did not feel much of the "theme" or "brand concept" there. That is why I thought VC is one of the few winners at SIHH because this "Harmony series" has all of them. Very nice effort!
Ken
Thanks for taking us to SIHH Vacheron Constantin display
...Unusually, the clocks you showed caught my interest.
They will be appreciated as demonstration pieces of arts and crafts.
Regards,
MTF
Out of limited production of 12....
... one has already been spoken for.... I heard. You'd better hurry
Ken
Thanks KIH
A great year for Vacheron, the chronographs are the main dish but the clock and métiers d'art are lovely too.
The split second is amazing.
cheers
François
Thanks for the post
Almost like being there. Fantastic year for the brand. I like them all. Just wonderful.
PIcs of the VC tourbillon gravee
Wonderful report Ken. The VC 14-day Tourbillon Gravee is stunning.
Regards,
ED-209
Regards,
ED-209