Vacheron Constantin’s latest timepiece falls into their Traditionnelle collection, which serves as a reminder of all the watches made by Geneva watchmakers (cabinotiers) who perfected their trade during the Age of Enlightenment. The timepieces created during this era (1920’s) were characteristic in their design as they had the purity of style and the perfect legibility and visualization of horological complications.
The latest unveiling is the Traditionnelle complete calendar timepiece. The name “complete calendar” was given due to the timepiece having the complication known as the triple calendar. The triple calendar indicates the date, day, and month while also showing the age and different phases of the moon. The design of this watch is reminiscent of the 1920’s pieces where the aesthetics were made to serve the function of the timepiece.
Design:
The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle complete calendar comes in around a 41mm case with a fluted back and slim bezel. The timepiece is actually already available in the brand’s Traditionnelle collection in 18K pink gold. This latest rendition is offered in 18K white gold with a velvet-finish slate grey dial. The grey dial serves as a contrasting background for the complications, hands, and hour indices.
Unlike most triple calendar complication timepieces, the day and month indicators are pushed towards the edge of the dial, whereas normally it’s centred. The date indicator is run along with the inner rim of the dial, with a central black hand with a crescent tip being the indicator. The use of this arrangement on the dial means that it becomes more easily readable and also frees up space for the phases of the moon and the precision age feature on the bottom of the dial.
Movement:
The movement used for the Traditionnelle complete calendar is the Calibre 260 QCL/1. The Calibre 260 QCL/1 movement has 308 components and is an upgraded version of the brand’s Calibre 2450 movement, which is also the brand’s first self-winding movement that has been entirely designed and manufactured in-house. The Calibre 260 QCL/1 movement comes with a stop-seconds mechanism and operates at a frequency of 28, 800 VpH. The movement gives out a power reserve of approximately 40 hours. The precision of the moon phase is a true testament to Vacheron Constantin’s accuracy and reliability of the movement as the moon phase will only require only one correction every 122 years!
The Traditionnelle complete calendar comes with an open case back in which the impeccable finishing touches of a Vacheron Constantin movement can be seen. Finishes such as the circular-grained baseplate and chamfered bridges adorned with the Côtes de Genève motif.
The timepiece comes with a black Mississippiensis alligator leather strap which is secured by an 18K white gold pin buckle to match the case material. The Traditionnelle complete calendar is an update to what is already a great timepiece, matching aesthetics with functionality. Now offered in 18K white gold with a grey dial for those who prefer a more subtle yet luxurious look.
