When it was first re-introduced during Manufacture Vacheron Constantin’s 260th anniversary last year, the Harmony collection of cushion shaped limited edition watches were a runaway hit with the watch collecting cognoscenti. This year, the retinue of beloved Harmony watches return with minor tweaks and aesthetic updates to what will become a full fledged collection for Vacheron Constantin.
What’s changed with the new 2016 Vacheron Constantin Harmony collection
For the new Harmony watches, the Geneva manufacture created only the subtlest of changes to differentiate them from their limited edition predecessors – mostly slate grey or anthracite toned hands and numerals, though less striking than the blue versions which debuted last SIHH 2015, the choice of such a serious if classic hue imbues the latest Harmony collection with a quiet elegance better suited for the series. Another well received design update is the use of a minute rail, a barely noticeable change on all but the Harmony Chronograph whose “graduated for pulsations” scale, a hallmark of old school chronographs calls your attention to the traditional watch design element. Finally, subdials of the new Vacheron Constantin Harmony collection have been reworked for a more contemporary aesthetic – it might be a deal breaker for some but we feel the contrast of modern and vintage design adds visual excitement to over all dial design by breaking the monotony of vintage fonts throughout.
Harmony 4000S/000R-B123
Harmony Complete Calendar: Latest addition to the Vacheron Constantin collection
For WIS, the biggest news for Vacheron Constantin is heralded by a fresh complication and a new movement taking the form of the Harmony Complete Calendar – a triple annual calendar returns to the modern collection after decades of neglect for the more prestigious perpetual calendar, the new Harmony Complete Calendar offers traditional date via a crescent tipped pointer hand, moonphase at 6 and day/date apertures below 12 o’clock. The 40 hour power reserve Calibre 2460 QC shares a base movement calibre 2460 with other watches from the manufacture with the notable difference of complete calendar complication ensconced within a 40mm x 49.3mm x 11mm, solid 18K pink gold case. Price for the Harmony Complete calendar? S$63,000
Harmony 5100S-000R-B125
Harmony Tourbillon Chronograph: Now in Pink Gold
Joining the brand new Complete Calendar are a trio of three men’s watches which you have already seen in the 260th anniversary Harmony collection but now making a return in a new classic pink gold case. The highly complicated new Harmony Tourbillon Chronograph is attractively enticing in gentleman’s pink gold versus the more sombre platinum with blue accents. The same manual handwinding Calibre 3200/260 powers the latest Harmony Tourbillon monopusher chronograph with slowbeat 18,000 vph balance. Case dimensions follow its platinum 42mm predecessor. Price of the Harmony Tourbillon Chronograph? S$376,400
Harmony 5300S-000R-B124
Harmony Chronograph: Priced to move
The new Harmony Chronograph (ref. 5300S/000R-B124) returns in pink gold and 42mm case dimensions like its other brethren. Once more the calibre 3300 drives it, essentially, it’s the same 260th edition with different case material and the fore-mentioned design updates at a lower price tag. We would have prefered “gradue pour pulsations” – a more period authentic term for the scale but having the scale named in plain English works as well. Price for the Harmony Chronograph? S$101,000
Harmony 7800S/000R-B140
Harmony Dual Time: Easy to use secondary timezone
It appears to be the season for watches for travelling with Chopard launching their world timer and Vacheron Constantin releasing the Harmony Dual Time in both men’s white gold, pink gold, and a ladies model in smaller dimensions with 88 round-cut diamonds. Inside both the men’s 40mm case and 37mm ladies’ case is the calibre 2460 DT, which has an easy-to-use and adjust secondary time zone function set via the crown. Price for the Harmony Dual Time? S$58,800 for the men’s. S$67,900 for the ladies’ with diamonds. S$55,500 for the ladies’ without diamonds.
Harmony dual time small model 7805S-000R-B140
Harmony 5000S/000R-B139
Harmony Chronograph Small Model: Strip a ladies watch off diamonds and you get a 37mm classical men’s chronograph
Considering that traditional men’s wristwatches tend to run in 35 to 37mm variants, there was a real missed opportunity when the SIHH 2015 original Harmony Chronograph Small Model was only available in the more feminine oriented diamond-set pink gold model. Commercially, a Harmony Chronograph Small Model sans glittering stones would have served both women and men looking for something more classically styled. For 2016, Vacheron Constantin delivered a chronograph which ticks all the boxes – a 37mm Harmony Chronograph Small Model driven the the beloved Calibre 1142 you know and love from the Cornes de Vache chronograph. Price for the Harmony Chronograph Small Model? S$83,300 without diamonds. S$95,500 with diamonds.
