Vacheron Constantin – Historiques Triple Calendrier 1942 and 1948
Vacheron Constantin presents two new Historiques models featuring a complete calendar.
A deliberately vintage look for these new models reinterpreting the creativity and the aesthetic of the iconic timepieces born in the 1940s.
With their calendar function, round case with triple gadroons, two-tone dial, “claw-type” lugs and mechanical manual-winding movement, the new Historiques Triple calendrier 1942 and the Triple calendrier 1948 are reviving a typical Vacheron Constantin complication and style from this era.
Vacheron Constantin is reinterpreting two calendar watches from 1942 and 1948, which highlight its expertise in the field of “useful” complications and the associated characteristic design. This results in design codes reflecting those of the original models, but with a contemporary twist. A steel triple calendar timepiece and another 18K 4N pink gold triple calendar with moon phase version are now back in the spotlight. The 40 mm-diameter case crafted in the Vacheron Constantin style features a number of character traits typical of the era, such as the distinctive “triple gadroon” caseband bearing “claw-type” lugs.
Topped by a box-type glass of which the slightly thicker nature enables the use of an extremely slender bezel, the case which is water-resistant to 30 metres, reveals through the caseback the Fine Watchmaking finishing of the new complete calendar calibre – interpreted as reference 4400 QC and 4400 QCL for the moon-phase version (L for Lune, meaning moon in French). Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz, this mechanical manual-winding movement, entirely developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin, preserves the original spirit of the mid-20th century calendars, while providing a comfortable 65-hour power reserve thanks to its imposing barrel.
Historiques Triple calendrier 1942
The first model, made of steel, is inspired by reference 4240, of which the first executions in yellow gold, pink gold or steel were introduced in 1942. In keeping with the original, this understated and elegant model drives the hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, along with hand-type date and day and month by aperture. The calendar indications appear in a choice of burgundy or dark blue, on a two-tone silvered dial typical of the era. The sunburst satin-finished centre and the outer zone punctuated by Arabic numerals clearly enhance the legibility of the respective functions and accentuate its retro-chic elegance.
Historiques Triple calendrier 1948
Like its vintage predecessor, the Historiques Triple calendrier 1948 is crafted in 18K 4N pink gold, a tone that is closer to the original version and endows it with an extremely elegant style. Issued in two limited series of 200 pieces each, it revives the reference 4240L presented in 1948: a triple calendar enriched with a sophisticated astronomical complication – the high- precision lunar cycle (hence the L in its name) – along with small seconds at 6 o’clock. Its contemporary version highlights an array of refined and distinctive assets. The dial features a silvered opaline centre with a sunburst satin-finished external zone. This subtly nuanced display is interspersed with applied Roman numerals and triangle-type hour-markers swept over by slim baton-type hands. Its calendar functions and its moon disc appear in a choice of burgundy or dark blue, teamed with a brown or dark blue leather strap secured by a pin buckle.
The specifications:
Historiques Triple calendrier 1942
Reference:
3110V/000A-B425
3110V/000A-B426
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepieces
Movement:
4400 QC
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin Mechanical, manual-winding
29 mm (12’’’1/2) diameter
4.6 mm thick
Approximately 65 hours of power reserve
4Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
225 components
21 jewels
Functions:
Hours, minutes
Small seconds at 6 o’clock
Complete calendar (day of the week and month by aperture, date by hand)
Case:
Stainless Steel
40 mm diameter, 10.35 mm thick Transparent sapphire crystal caseback Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 metres)
Dial:
Silvered, sunburst satin-finished Black painted Arabic numerals Burgundy/Blue painted date-track
Strap:
Brown/dark blue Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales
Buckle:
Steel, polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Historiques Triple calendrier 1948
Reference:
3100V/000R-B359
3100V/000R-B422
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepieces
Movement:
4400 QCL
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin Mechanical, manual-winding
29 mm (12’’’) diameter
4.6 mm thick
Approximately 65 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
253 components
21 jewels
Functions:
Hours, minutes
Complete calendar (day of the week, month and date indicated by hand)
Precision moon phases
Case:
18K 4N Pink gold
40 mm diameter, 10.35 mm thick Transparent sapphire crystal caseback Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 metres)
Dial:
Silvered opaline with satin-finished external zone 18K 4N gold applied hour-markers
Red/Blue painted date-track
Strap:
Brown/dark blue Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales
Buckle:
18K 4N Pink gold
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
