The Fake Vacheron Constantin Historiques Collection

When one thinks of the most perfect watch – the aesthetic, technical, and emotional ideal – a strong case can be made for the great wristwatches from the middle twentieth century from the horological “holy trinity” – Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and of course, Vacheron Constantin. There is something about the early wristwatches made by these three historic manufacturers in the pre-CAD era that elevates them from replica watches something functional and mundane, like so many watches of the era, into a new category of collectible; they are, in many ways, simply perfect. The daring design, the limited nature, and advanced human element involved in the creation of these mid-century classics – those that to this day perform best in the halls of auctions houses in Geneva, Hong Kong, and New York – simply can not be rivaled. Only Vacheron Constantin, it seems, has recognized just how special these early watches are, and we are honored to present this special collection of watches to our readers.

The aptly-named Vacheron Constantin Historiques line was conceived with a straightforward purpose in mind: to pay tribute to great vintage designs from the Geneva watchmaker’s archives. And while those archives are indeed extensive – Vacheron was founded back in 1755 – the majority of the designs we see here hail from the mid-20th century. After all, the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s gave us a number of watches that are truly timeless – and Vacheron Constantin was there, of course, doing some of the very best work in the entire Swiss watch industry.

Each Historiques piece bears a name that includes the year the watch that inspired it hit the market. These are watches rich not just in history, but in story. The Historiques are timepieces for real watch connoisseurs and collectors who appreciate the history of fine watchmaking, but also value contemporary build and performance. While the heritage watch trend may have filled the market with tributes to a number of designs that perhaps would have been better lost to history, these reissues from Vacheron are some of the very best.

Let’s walk through four of the most celebrated watches in Vacheron’s collection:

Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 Chronograph

Among the many legacies Vacheron Constantin has achieved in the history of watchmaking is a well-earned reputation for daring in creating new designs. When many of its fellow manufacturers were sticking with classic styles, Vacheron pushed the design envelope in exciting directions. Especially from the 1940s through the 1960s, Vacheron pursued a number of case designs with a focus on unusual lug shapes, now referred to as “fancy lugs.” Some notable examples are teardrop lugs, claw lugs, and flame lugs. “Cornes de Vache,” which is French for “cow horns,” combines elements of these three types into one. It is certainly among the most beautiful and daring designs ever executed on a chronograph.

The original “Cornes de Vache” chronograph reference 6087 was produced from the mid to late 1950s in very limited numbers – just 36 pieces, to be exact – with several different case metals, dial colors, and configurations. The design remains as relevant today as when it was initially conceived, but with a more modern 38.5mm case size. The dial retains the original two-register configuration with classic baton hands with pointed tips, but now with a beautiful blue tachymeter scale which contrasts amazingly against either platinum or pink gold cases. Further, the caliber powering this watch is derived from the simply legendary Lemania 2310 caliber, and it remains a benchmark of traditional Swiss fine watchmaking, though Vacheron upgrades the movement to Geneva Seal quality. It should be noted that this Vacheron is also one of the final watches outside of the Swatch Group that uses this historic movement, making it truly “a vintage watch made today.” While the vintage examples are all locked away in safes of the great collectors around the world, this modern incarnation provides very much the same watch – indeed made the same way it was in 1955 – today.

Shop the Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 in platinum or pink gold here.

Historiques Toledo 1951

Vacheron Constantin’s innovative and adventurous direction during the middle part of last century yielded a fresh design with large and bold case dimensions for the time. This unusual case size was fused with Art Deco aesthetics, as seen in the wide stepped bezel that added a healthy dose of refinement in the overall appearance. Ever the trendsetters, Italian collectors began referring to this model as the “Cioccolatone” due to its resemblance to a certain boxed chocolate treat. The original references 4821 and 4822 were both offered with manual winding movements, the calibers 453 and 454 respectively.

The major difference we see in this stunning modern version is the contemporary caliber 2460SC, which allows for further accuracy and reliability, as well as a solid 40-hour power reserve. This watch is a testament to Vacheron Constantin’s strength in producing an evergreen design that holds up to modern times and tastes.

Shop the Historiques Toledo 1955 in pink gold here.

Historiques American 1921

A very interesting design from the early 1920s offered in the American market. This model was simply referred to as the “American” since there no specific name for the design. Records show that only 12 were produced between 1921 and 1931. Fun fact: the first example was delivered to the English-born American minister and radio preacher Samuel Parkes Cadman (1864-1936), who helped establish the Federal Council of Churches in America and has a park named after him in Brooklyn, New York.

Like the original from 1921, this model displays a popular case design from the era, the always appealing cushion-shape. Vacheron Constantin revived this design, with its slightly askew dial, by reinventing the layout slightly, placing the subsidiary seconds register at three instead of at six. However, the classically painted Breguet numerals and hands still remain the main focus here. The outer minute track, presented in the railroad style, stays true to the quintessential pocket watch dial design. Now, the wearer can also enjoy the gorgeous Geneva Seal movement through a transparent sapphire caseback.

Shop the Historiques American 1921 in platinum or pink gold here.

Historiques Ultra-Fine 1955

This watch is not about practicality, and it never has been. It’s about the brand’s passion for pursuing the extreme of watchmaking and how far it can push the envelope to achieve an ultimate fake Vacheron Constantin goal. It was all about creating the thinnest mechanical movement and fitting it into an equally challenging thin case. Vacheron Constantin had been pursuing this elusive goal for several decades, even fitting slim movements in pocket watch cases, often referred to as couteau or “knife edge” cases due to the tapered razor-like edges to achieve an ultra-thin timepiece.

In 1955, the brand finally announced its thinnest movement created at the time, the caliber 1003. It measured 1.64mm in thickness, and it still remains as the thinnest traditional mechanical movement. The Histories Ultra-Fine 1955 is still fitted with this famed caliber 1003 in an equally elegant ultra-slim platinum or pink-gold case that measures just 4.16mm in thickness. The result is a remarkably svelte watch. The overall appearance is understated and elegant, but its technical achievement is undeniable.

Shop the Historiques Ultra-Fine 1955 in platinum or pink gold here.

To view the Vacheron Constantin Historiques collection in the HODINKEE Shop, click here.