Vacheron Cornes de Vache 1955 Incoming [emoji202]

[EEpro]

I've always loved looking at this watch in pictures and finally had a chance to try the steel version last year at my AD reopening.

This week after some patient waiting since August my CdV in 4N has arrived.

Some information that I've learned about it:

It shares a common Lemania 2310 architecture with the Omega 321 with several Vacheron modifications. VC is able to make this movement in house from scratch so it is not "just" a decorated base Lemania.

VC increased the beat rate from the original movement. They converted it to a free sprung balance and Breguet overcoil which is adjusted in 5 positions. They added jewels in friction areas and placed a black polished Maltese cross on the column wheel of the Chronograph. All screws and chamfers are black polished. Mirror anglage around the bridges which are coated in bright Geneve stripes. The baseplate below has really beautiful micro-perlage. They also used kif shock instead of incabloc which gives more jewel to view and a lyre shaped spring. The movement is decorated to Geneve seal quality finish.

The case also receives Geneve seal and gives the timepiece its name: Cow horns. The unique lugs are welded to the case and then all evidence of the weld is filed and polished away. The edges of the lugs are vertical like the case wall with only the top surface creating the teardrop curvature.

The rose gold hands of the watch are arched up in 3D which is a strong effect in person. Vaulted barrel is one way to describe them.

Both Chronograph hands are in blued steel with the outer tachometer scale painted in blue to match. Under 10 and 20x macro I can find no flaws in the paint nor imperfections on the hands.

At 10x with the right directive point of light (overhead recessed can) you can tell that each index is actually staked to the dial in two anchor points and not just glued on. The dial is matte silver which changes from silver to creamy white depending on viewing angle and lighting. The swept down outer registers have a very fine radial brush to them which gives a distinct silver sheen against the smooth dial center which remains white when viewed head on.

The alligator strap is much softer than I expected. It really feels top quality. Much different than the overseas alligator or my ALS saxonia moon (dearly departed). The pin buckle is a simple rose gold half Maltese cross.

All in all I really love it and plan to also get a double alligator navy blue strap for it for more casual wear. My next timepiece will certainly be a Vacheron Constantin. Most likely the 222 if I get the call.

[ap1]

Beauty

[1William]

Congratulations.

[Chiboy]

Super sharp looking and interesting writeup. There's a lot more to these watches than meets the naked eye!

[Ichiran]

This is a brilliant chronograph from Vacheron. Congratulations!

[RaZCaL]

Congrats! An absolutely stunning piece! Thank you for the comprehensive writeup. I had a chance to try it on at the boutique when I purchased my Traditionnelle. VC is really on a different level. High horology at its finest!

[noobs]

Saw it in person last year, it's beautiful! The open back is stunning

[PhilLynott]

Love it, congrats!

[GB-man]

Love it congrats

[ButtButt]

Amazing, big congrats... that watch to me is near perfection looks wise. Seems like I'm going to have to be patient, your wait was about 6 months?

Love the blue accents vs. the red on the steel, and thanks for sharing all the small details about the watch!

[jatco]

A beautiful piece for sure. Looks fabulous.
A BIG congrats to you..
Wear it in goodhealth. .

[Shmoopy]

Stunning. I could stare at the movement all day. Man, I love VC.

Thanks for the great write up and sharing!

[Loujo]

What a beautiful watch. This has to be one of my favorite watches at any price point. Congratulations!

[MichelleP]

Gorgeous. Congratulations

[Mbbgysam]

Congratulations! The CdV is one of my all time favorites, and it looks perfect on your wrist

[EEpro]

Thanks for the kind words, all.

[fluffybunny]

Congratulations! I was fondling one in the Vancouver boutique over the weekend. Just lovely.


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[Easy E]

Marvelous! Excellent write up as well. With a little luck my next will be a RG1921.

[OneOmegaMan]

damn, it looks so much like the 321 movement!

[Justindo]

Congratulations! The rose gold version is the best looking iteration of the Cornes de Vache, in my opinion. While the platinum version has great heft on the wrist, the production steel version is a great value, and the Hodinkee steel version is unique, nothing beats the richness and visual contrast of the rose gold version. You also bring up some great facts about the Cornes de Vache. Few seem to realize that, while not an in-house movement, it is 100% in-house produced and every part is hand finished. It's such a great watch! Wear it in good health!

[danwang0520]

killer piece, congrats!

[CFR]

Outstanding! Congratulations!

[Lkdub24]

Looks really amazing. Congrats on the pick up.

AD offered this to me two weeks ago but I didn’t pull the trigger. Wondering if I made a mistake

[ChetBaker]

Fantastic addition - one of, if not the, most beautiful high-end chronos around. A classic and very high on my wishlist.

[EEpro]

Took awhile but the XL dark blue alligator finally came in. Matches the tach track really well IMO.

[sss205]

Congrats! Enjoy that beauty in good health!