VACHERON CONSTANTIN COLLABORATES WITH HODINKEE TO REVEAL A LIMITED EDITION TIMEPIECE
NEW YORK, New York, February 9, 2017 -- Vacheron Constantin, the longest running watchmaking manufacture in the world, with 262 years of uninterrupted activity, is proud to announce a first-of-its-kind partnership with online watch magazine HODINKEE. The result of the partnership is a stunning limited edition collection of 36 timepieces only available via HODINKEE.com.
On February 9, 2017 at 11:30am EST, HODINKEE and Vacheron Constantin will unveil the 36 piece Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 Limited Edition for HODINKEE, offered in stainless steel for the first time ever, and featuring a unique slate grey opaline dial. Originally introduced as reference 6087 over 60 years ago, Vacheron Constantin’s Cornes de Vache timepieces typically feature a tachymeter scale, while the new Limited Edition for HODINKEE will have a pulsation scale, a design feature that gives this timepiece a new purpose. These design decisions were the result of extensive collaboration between HODINKEE and Vacheron Constantin, led by Artistic Director Christian Selmoni.
“Because this is a thoroughly modern watch made in the year 2017, we didn’t want to use a color that was common in the 1950s, so we chose a slate grey,” says Benjamin Clymer, Founder and Editorial Director of HODINKEE. To highlight the purpose-driven chronographs of the 1950s, the pulsometer scale was used: “In a way, the pulsations scale, or pulsometer, is the most specific and purpose driven of any scale found on a chronograph in the 1950s, and because of that, we wanted to bring it to the forefront today. Chronographs of that time period were truly devised to act as tools in a certain profession, so we wanted to bring back some of that purpose to this limited edition timepiece.”
“We didn’t want to just duplicate the past,” shared Selmoni. “This project was about deriving inspiration from our vast history, feeling empowered by our history, and creating a modern timepiece that is new and exciting for HODINKEE’s audience.”
A reinvented legend, the Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 features two classic round push pieces and an exceptional hand-wound Caliber 1142, beating at a frequency of 3 Hz. Aesthetically, the design showcases Vacheron Constantin’s iconic ‘cow-horn’ lugs. The screwed-in caseback is fitted with a transparent sapphire crystal for easy viewing of an entirely hand-decorated mechanical heart. In addition to bearing the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva, the Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 timepiece pays tribute to the chronograph – which holds a special place in Vacheron Constantin’s heritage.
“The Cornes de Vache 1955 is the perfect integration of technical excellence and a beautiful aesthetic, and is one of my favorite additions to our Historiques collection at Vacheron Constantin,” said Selmoni. “We were thrilled to work with HODINKEE to re-envision this timepiece for their important audience.”
“Vacheron Constantin has always represented something very special to both me and to all watch lovers,” explains Clymer. “It has stayed true to its roots and remained one of the great bastions of traditional Swiss watchmaking. In thinking about a fine watchmaker with which to work, there is truly no one else that shares the same values and places as much focus on design and longevity. It is truly a dream to be working with Vacheron Constantin on this project.”
The Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 Limited Edition for HODINKEE is limited to 36 pieces, a historically significant homage to the original watch, given that the reference 6087 model produced in the 1950s was created in just 36 pieces. The engraving, “Limited Edition of 36 for HODINKEE” can be seen on the caseback. The timepiece retails for $45,000 USD and is available via reservation-only through HODINKEE.com starting February 9, 2017 at 11:30am EST. Each timepiece is shipped with three straps: A Vacheron Constantin grey alligator strap, a HODINKEE strap in light grey textured calfskin, and a HODINKEE strap in natural tan Barenia leather. All straps are completely hand-made and capture the style and elegance of the beautiful Cornes de Vache case shape.
ABOUT VACHERON CONSTANTIN
Founded in 1755 in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin is the oldest watchmaking manufacture in the world, with 262 years of uninterrupted activity. Founders of the art of precious and technical watch making, the men and women of Vacheron Constantin continue to design, develop and produce exceptional timekeepers, remaining close to the three fundamentals of the brand: perfectly precise methods, harmonious and inspired aesthetics and an extremely high level of finishing touches.
ABOUT HODINKEE
In the course of only eight years, HODINKEE has established itself as the preeminent resource for modern and vintage wristwatch enthusiasts. Founder and Executive Editor Benjamin Clymer and his team are known for their innate understanding of both historical references and the most cutting-edge haute horlogerie, and, more importantly, can explain them in a way that is both entertaining and easy to understand. With a focus on creative content, HODINKEE was named by Time magazine as one of the 50 Best Websites in the World, and has been featured in international publications such as Bloomberg, Departures, Esquire, GQ, the New York Times, and more.