Several New Vacheron Constantin Harmony Models, Including Complete Calendar Moonphase and New Iterations
When in 2015 Vacheron Constant presented the Harmony, it was already an entire collection, comprising a simple Dual Time, a small size chronograph (women-oriented), a Monopusher Chronograph (the superb 3300), a Tourbillon Chronograph and a stunning ref. 3500 ultra-thin, automatic, split-seconds chronograph. Even if there was no new editions at the 2016 Edition of the SIHH, which was entirely focussed on the Overseas, it’s time now for the Harmony Collection to see evolutions. As a sort of early Pre-SIHH, here are several new Vacheron Constantin Harmony models, including a brand new and elegant Complete Calendar Moonphase and new iterations of existing versions.
The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Complete Calendar Moonphase
This is the big news here, the only properly new watch of the 10 novelties (including 4 ladies’ watches that we won’t cover here) that VC introduces today. First of all, this watch is all about a display. It looks back at some 1940s to 1960s watches, which had the good idea to feature a complete calendar. Most of them had two windows at 12 for the day of the week and month, as well as a date indicated on the periphery of the dial, pointed by a long central hand. This is exactly what we find back in this Vacheron Constantin Harmony Complete Calendar Moonphase, and that’s why, combined to the shaped-case – a very art-deco cushion shape – there is a strong vintage feel in this watch.
The type of calendar in this Harmony is a complete one and is a relatively simple mechanism, which display the date, the day of the week and the month but does not take into account month of 30 or 31 days (and of course not the leap years like a perpetual calendar). The doesn’t prevent it from being extremely balanced and elegant. it is here combined to a moonphase indication, classically displayed at 6. This display is powered by a brand new movement, at least a brand new module attached to the 2460 movement – which serves as a base for the World-Timer watches of the brand (Patrimony and Overseas), or the Maitre Cabinotier Perpetual Calendar Regulator. The moonphase is highly precise (1 day deviation in 122 years), the movement is modern, beats at 4Hz, has 308 components and boasts 40 hours of power reserve. Its nice finishing (Hallmark of Geneva certified) and its gold rotor are visible from the caseback.
The dial of the Vacheron Constantin Harmony Complete Calendar Moonphase, in line with the other Harmony watches, is silvery-white, with vintage-inspired Arabic numerals in black. The 18k pink gold case measures 40mm (consider the shape, which emphasize the dimensions) and is attached to a brown leather strap. Price is $41,000.
The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph 3300 with new dial
Already existing in pink gold with silver dial, the Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph 3300 receives this year a new dial treatment. We’re talking about a subtle evolution. The previous edition – reviewed here – had blue hands for the central second and the chronograph registers, a color that could also be found on the large Arabic numerals. Even if desirable and eye-catching, this combination was probably a bit too colored. The new one goes back to a more consensual look.
The new Harmony Chronograph Monopusher will know plays on shades of grey, with anthracite colored hands (for the central second, the two registers and the power reserve) and anthracite Arabic numerals. This might be a bit conservative, but in the end the watch should gain in harmony (pun-intended) and seems more balanced. No technical evolution, the sumptuous calibre 3300 is still in place and the case, in pink gold, is identical. Price is $65,800.
The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Tourbillon Chronograph in Pink Gold
This Harmony Tourbillon Chronograph was, until now, only available in platinum with silver dial, blue numerals and hands, with a matching blue strap (a color combination that always works with platinum). This watch, equipped with calibre 3200, a monopusher chronograph with one-minute tourbillon (and look at the cage and size of this tourbi…), will now be offered in 18k pink gold, with brown strap.
The dial follows the same direction as the Chronograph 3300, meaning anthracite hands (for the central second, the 45-minute register and the power reserve) matching the large Arabic numerals and tracks. The case still retains the same pretty large dimensions (42mm x 52mm) but a great elegance and comfort on the wrist. Price is of course lower in pink gold, at $245,000 (vs. $315,000 in platinum).
The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Small Model (now unisex)
Considering the size (and rather hefty price) of the 3300 Chronograph, some collectors will be happy to see that the Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Small Model will now come in a unisex edition. The edition introduced at the SIHH 2015 was indeed showing diamonds on the case and a pink leather strap – not that only women could wear this, but clearly, it was intended to be a ladies’ watch. This smaller / simple version comes now in a sleek, non-paved edition.
The Harmony Chronograph Small Model will be, from now, available in a classical pink gold case, without diamonds (in addition to the already existing diamond-set bezel editions). The case measures here 37mm and will certainly create a great appeal on those who favor the motto “smaller is better” (and I’m one of them). The dial, in silver, also shows the new treatment of the collection (anthracite hands and numerals) for a more subtle look. The movement is the calibre 1142, based on the old but so nice Lemania, with here improved frequency and power reserve (3Hz and 48 hours of energy), shared by the Cornes de Vache and serving as a base for the recently introduced Chronograph QP. Price for this pink gold edition without diamond should be around $45,000.
The new Vacheron Constantin Harmony Dual Time (small and large sizes)
The last of the evolutions concerns the entry-level watch: the Harmony Dual Time. This watch was already available in two sizes – 40mm for men and 37mm for women. However, just like the small chronograph, the small edition was only available with diamond-set bezel. And just like the small chronograph, the small Dual Time will be offered in a unisex edition, in pink gold with a silver dial, without diamonds. The dial is also showing the latest evolutions – anthracite hands and numerals – and retains its display separate second time zone at 4:30 and day-and-night indication at 7:30 – this sub-dial has also evolved, with now 12 and 24 indications instead of a sun and a moon.
The men’s edition, sized at 40mm, also undergoes the same face-lift, with a withe gold case, a silver dial and anthracite hands and numerals (no more blue indexes). Price for the 37mm in pink gold is $36,000 and price for the 40mm in white gold is $38,300.
More details about the Harmony collection here, here and here, as well as on the website of Vacheron Constantin.
1 response
Hi Brice,
very fine watches indeed, I like the way VC developed a set of vintage-inspired watches with a lot of taste. My favourites are for sure the dual time and the small chrono, as well as the beautiful complete calendar. Some doubts only on the tourby because of the size of the cut on the dial to show the tourbillon itself….
Regards,
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