Reference Guide
In this insightful article, quattro, a respected member of the WatchProSite community, meticulously explores the iconic 'Cornes de Vache' (cow horn) lug design, demonstrating its rich history beyond the well-known Vacheron Constantin references. His detailed photographic essay highlights the nuanced variations across different models and brands, offering a comprehensive visual guide for collectors and enthusiasts. This deep dive contextualizes the design's evolution and its presence in both vintage and modern horology, making a decade-old design relevant to today's discerning collector.
Wei Koh unboxes his bespoke piece unique
The Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 is a chronograph model that draws inspiration from a specific Vacheron Constantin chronograph reference from the mid-20th century. It is part of the Historiques collection, which reinterprets significant designs from the brand's heritage. This particular model is notable for its distinctive "cow horn" lugs, a design element that gives the watch its name and sets it apart from more conventional chronograph cases.
The case of the Cornes de Vache 1955 is crafted from precious metal, typically rose gold, and features the characteristic sculpted lugs. It houses a manually wound chronograph movement, visible through a sapphire crystal case back. The dial layout is a classic bi-compax chronograph configuration, with a tachymeter scale around the periphery. The crystal protecting the dial is sapphire, often with an anti-reflective coating.
This reference appeals to collectors who appreciate vintage-inspired designs and the craftsmanship of traditional watchmaking. Its faithful recreation of a historical Vacheron Constantin chronograph, combined with modern manufacturing standards, makes it a sought-after piece. The Cornes de Vache 1955 is offered in various precious metal iterations, each maintaining the core design elements that define this distinctive model within the Historiques collection.
But the platinum CdV is special. I got a chance to play with it a few years back and was surprised at how small and delicate it felt in person, a real gem!
And it has this wonderful dial with blue tachymeter scale, which thankfully the rose gold has too. The warmth of rose gold just feels better to me but it’s very personal.
Maybe another 10 yrs
From a recent cold day.
Thanks for collating them here - great to have an overview 👏🏻🙌🏻
(in particular when there’s a bracelet) but it can also embody classicism and tradition in a very simple and discreet way. At least it’s how it feels to me…
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