Vacheron Constantin Historiques Chronograph — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Collectors Corner NY · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Vacheron Constantin Historiques Chronograph

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Vacheron Constantin (maker)
Date: c. 1990s
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 35 mm
Dealer: Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York
Stock no.: Product 8382772904212
Credit line: Dealer listing, Collectors Corner NY (product 8382772904212)
Catalogue title (original): Vacheron Constantin Historiques Chronograph - *Unpolished* (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York (stock number Product 8382772904212), this is a wristwatch by Vacheron Constantin, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1990s. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 35 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Collectors Corner NY

Part of the " holy trinity, " Vacheron Constantin is known for its exceptional quality in watchmaking, on par with Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet . VC was founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron who is credited with creating the first complication in high-horology. Today VC is the oldest continuously operating watchmaker. In the modern era, Vacheron Constantin may be best suited for understated collectors, since their designs are not overplayed by fashion houses and market hype. Vacheron's Historiques line pays tribute to its heritage for over two decades now. This example, circa 1990s sits in the neo-vintage era, which we believe remains undervalued compared to its vintage and modern counterparts. The 35mm yellow gold case is 18k and fits elegantly on the average sized wrist. White dials housed in yellow cases are some of the most classic of all combinations and the enamel dial on this piece looks immaculate and crisp. The case remains in fantastic condition and appears to be unpolished. Included is a solid VC signed buckle. Explore more of our vintage Vacheron Constantin watches .

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Collectors Corner NY — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Vacheron Constantin Historiques Chronograph." Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York, Product 8382772904212. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/vacheron-constantin-historiques-chronograph-42da0e.