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Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes De Vache Chronograph, 2022

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Vacheron Constantin (maker)
Date
2022
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 38.5 mm
Stock no.
40991032
Credit line
Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40991032)
Catalogue title (original)
Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes De Vache Chronograph (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40991032), this is a wristwatch by Vacheron Constantin, made in Switzerland, dated 2022. The Atlas places it in the Contemporary Horology period (2010 – Present) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 38.5 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 — Analog/Shift

The Holy Trinity of watch brands: Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin. Far less understood than either of its respected compatriots, Vacheron Constantin has a legacy of producing some of the very finest haute horlogerie complications in history — and some of the loveliest. From simple, time-only dress watches to complicated masterpieces, Vacheron’s wares are legendary. This particular timepiece, a Historique Cornes de Vache, is a tribute to the Reference 6087, Vacheron’s first water-resistant chronograph — its famed “cow horn” lugs inspired the shape of the modern watch. Dating to 2022, it features a versatile 38.5mm stainless steel case, a Maltese signed crown, and a sapphire crystal. Graced with a handsome, multi-toned silver dial, it features an outer tachymeter scale, a stainless handset with a blued steel seconds hand, and a dual-register chronograph layout. Powered by the hand-cranking Vacheron Calibre 1142 with 48 hours of power reserve, it comes paired to a brown leather strap with a Maltese Cross signed pin buckle. In outstanding lightly-worn condition throughout, this piece is accompanied by all its goodies! This is one of the world’s finest modern chronographs. Why settle for anything less?

Historical context

Contemporary Horology (2010 – Present)

Silicon components, connected watches, optical-lattice research clocks and a thriving independent scene.

Smartwatches became the world's best-selling watches, while mechanical watchmaking focuses on craft, innovation (silicon components, new escapements) and independent makers.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Mechanical Renaissance

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.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

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