The  Historiques Cornes De Vache was introduced in 2015, as part of the brand’s Historiques collection - paying tribute to the Geneva watchmaker’s archives. The origins of the watch can be traced back to Vacheron’s iconic reference 6087, from the 1950s - with its “cow horn” lugs and placement of the subsidiary dials - considered by many to be one of the most desirable and collectible vintage chronographs ever made. It was also Vacheron's only manually-wound, water-resistant chronograph from the vintage era.

The majority Vacheron’s Historiques Cornes de Vache chronographs were cased in rose-gold (added in 2016), with very few examples thought to have been made in platinum. The Historiques Cornes De Vache 1955, in stainless steel, was a limited edition run of only 36 pieces, designed and sold exclusively by and , in New York.

The watch displays a grey opaline dial with graduated pulsation scale. The dial is classically understated, balancing the outer five-minute divisions and pulsation scale perfectly. The watch displays five hands - hours, minutes, and seconds for the time, with seconds and minute hands for the chronograph. Overall, the dial layout is cleanly designed, with the chronograph highly-legible. Measuring 38.5mm in diameter, the Historiques Cornes de Vache case is larger than the original reference (35mm), though moderately sized, by today’s standards. The case features long, curved, tapering lugs and a polished, chamfered bezel. The snap-on, display case-back, shows the Maltese cross and manufacturer's hallmarks, along with its unique reference numbers and special "Limited Edition of 36 for HODINKEE" engraving. The sapphire screw-down case-back and round pump pushers, allow for water-resistance of up to 30 meters.

The Historiques Cornes De Vache 1955 integrates Vacheron’s 21-jewel, manual-winding, 1142 caliber, based upon a thoroughly re-worked ‘Nouvelle Lemania’ 2310 ebauche - much like the Patek Philippe ref. 3970, 5070 and 5970. The movement is beautifully finished, with exquisite chamfering on all angles, polishing and decoration, in the form of Geneva striping. Improvements in the 1142 are evident in the shape of the chronograph levers, tension springs and (purely aesthetic) Maltese Cross on top of the column wheel - as well as the free-sprung balance with Breguet overcoil.

In homage to the number of original Cornes de Vache chronographs produced in the 1950s, only 36 of this special limited edition will ever be made.

This Limited Edition, Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes de Vache comes as a full-set, on a matte, grey alligator strap and corresponding steel, tang buckle.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look