Are looking for a great Vacheron Constantin watch that won’t break the bank? Well, if you are a serious watch collector, today might be your day. For the first time (since a special limited edition done with Hodinkee), Vacheron Constantin unveils the Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955, Ref. 6087, in stainless steel.
Meet the new stainless steel Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 watch.
The enticing watch is a re-issue of a beloved 1955 piece that was Vacheron Constantin’s first water-resistant chronograph. (Today we are so used to the fact that chronograph watches are water resistant that it is difficult to comprehend that the only came into being in the mid-20th century.)
First Impressions of the Ref. 6087, Vacheron Constantin Cornes de Vache
Just from the looks of this watch — without even getting into the limited numbers that will be made, and the exceptional movement inside — I can say that if I could afford it, this is one I would snap up in a minute. This watch is tugging at my heartstrings.
As a woman who loves larger watches, the 38.5mm size is almost too small for me, but the clean and highly legible dial makes this watch a winner. While the brand has from time to time re-created historical models (such as the American 1921, and Ultra-fine 1955), the Ref. 6087 is sublime.
While the brand brought back this model in platinum in 205, and then in 18-karat pink gold in 2016, the stainless steel version offers something neither of those could: a better retail price. Of course, not everyone will think $39,800 is a drop in the bucket (I certainly don’t), but it is true value for the vintage-inspired watch.
Detailing The Vacheron Constantin Ref. 6087 Cornes de Vache 1955 in Steel
As mentioned, this new Ref. 6087 watch is a re-issue of the original. In its day, the Cornes de Vache watch fast became a sought-after watch, and today is considered an iconic piece by collectors. The watch derives its name — Cornes de Vache– from its highly distinctive horn-shaped lugs that are beautifully emulated in the new timepiece.
The original Vacheron Constantin Cornes de Vache watch was created in 1955 and was the brand’s first water resistant chronograph. It was a gentleman’s wristwatch chronograph
with tachymeterscale, “cow’s horn” lugs and silvered dial in an
18K yellow gold case.
Its movement was protected from magnetic radiation by an internal dome in soft iron.
The new 38.5mm steel column-wheel chronograph watch has ain incredibly distinctive pale gray velvet-finished opaline dial that is embellished with snailed counters, red minute numerals against a white chapter ring, white gold applied hour-markers, Roman numerals and hours, minutes and small seconds hands.
The chronograph hands are easily distinguished thanks to their blued steel color. Making the watch ever more alluring is the outer dial ring that depicts a tachymeter scale (to determine average speed over a known distance) created using a 1000-meter base. The watch is also water resistant to 30 meters.
To complete the vintage look, Vacheron Constantin worked with the a traditional leather goods company, Maison Serapian, that was founded in Milan in 1928. The dark brown calf-leather strap has an alluring gradient patina that underscores the timepiece’s era exactness — vintage fine at its best.
Vacheron Constantin HISTORIQUES CORNES DE VACHE 1955 in stainless steel measures 38.5mm.
What’s Inside The Ref. 6087 Cornes de Vache Watch
Ref. 6087, Vacheron Constantin Cornes de Vache houses a hand-finished, hand-assembled in-house-made manual-winding movement, caliber 1142.
While the original version was equipped with the manual-winding Calibre 492, this re-edition Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 in steel houses the Chronograph Caliber 1142. Packed with 48 hours of power reserve, the column-wheel movement consists of 164 components and beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour. The subsidiary dial at 3:00 offers 30-minute counter, and there is a central seconds hand. The subsidiary dial at 9:00 offers the main seconds indication.
Like all Vacheron Constantin watches, the parts of the manual-windare entirely hand-bevelled and fully decorated — earning the watch the Hallmark of Geneva seal. The exquisite caliber, with screw head in the Maltese cross shape (Vacheron Constantin’s emblem), can be viewed via a sapphire casebook.
Technical Specs of the Vacheron Constantin Cornes de Vache 1955, Ref. 6087
Caliber: 1142. Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin. Mechanical, manual-winding. Dimensions: 27.5 mm (12’’’) diameter, 5.57 mm thick. Offering approximately 48 hours of power reserve. Beating at 3Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour). Consisting of 164 components, 21 jewels.
Certification: Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Indications: Hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock Column-wheel chronograph (30-minute counter)
Case: Steel, 38.5 mm diameter, 10.9 mm thick, Transparent sapphire crystal and caseback. Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 metres)
Dial: Grey velvet-finished opaline centre with snailed counters 18-karat white gold applied hour-markers and Roman numerals 18-karat white gold hours, minutes and small seconds hands Blued steel chronograph and 30-minute counter hands
Strap: Dark brown calf leather with Serapian patina, calf leather inner shell, tone on tone stitching. Steel buckle with polished half Maltese cross-shaped.
