The Collection Excellence Platine from Vacheron Constantin highlights an ageless star of the mechanical watchmaking scene: the complete calendar. Equipped with an in-house calibre, this classically elegant new Traditionnelle watch is crafted in platinum right the way through to the stitching of its strap. An exclusive series of 100 individually numbered pieces.
Since 2006, through its Collection Excellence Platine concept, Vacheron Constantin has been offering collectors exceptional watches, ranging from the simplest to the most complex and issued in limited editions. The aesthetic signature of this prestigious range is the 950 platinum attiring the case, the sand-blasted dial bearing the secret “Pt950” inscription between 4 and 5 o’clock, the folding clasp and even the topstitching on the dark blue alligator leather strap. For the pre-SIHH 2018, an eminently useful and refined horological complication – the complete calendar – adopts the understated elegance of the Traditionnelle range, magnified by the precious metal.
Purity and legibility This new Traditionnelle complete calendar watch features all the attributes of its proud lineage. A contemporary expression of the grand Geneva watchmaking tradition, conveyed through a palette of horological complications in a classical design. An “Etagé” case and lugs, a fluted case-back, a railway-type minute track, Dauphine-type hours and minutes hands, as well as “bâtons de Genève” hour-markers: the aesthetic codes of the Traditionnelle collection are all clearly present, complemented by the aura of exclusivity conveyed by the Excellence Platine signature. Punctuated by gold bi-facetted hands and hour-markers, the pure display makes a perfect match with the blue Arabic numerals gracing the date and other calendar indications, while the platinum moon disc sets the seal on the unique nature of this model. The visual equilibrium and legibility of the dial are accentuated by the unusual arrangement of the day and month apertures, placed around the dial periphery, while the date is indicated by a slender blue central hand.
Rarity and precision
Water-resistant to 30 metres, the 41 mm-diameter case of the Traditionnelle complete calendar Collection Excellence Platine houses the 308 components of Calibre 2460 QCL, a mechanical self-winding movement entirely developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin. Equipped with a 22 carats gold oscillating weight, it beats at the frequency of 4 Hz and ensures a 40-hour power reserve while driving the central hours, minutes and seconds, complete calendar (day, date and month), precision moon phase and age of the moon. The remarkably accurate moon-phase indication requires just one adjustment every 122 years (compared with three years for a simple moon phase). Finally, this exceptional watch crafted in a 100-piece limited edition, is fitted with a dark blue alligator leather strap, hand-stitched with 950 platinum and silk thread and secured by a polished half Maltese cross-shaped folding clasp in 950 platinum.
