quattro, a respected voice in the WatchProSite community, undertakes a significant horological endeavor by meticulously cataloging and comparing 11 identified variants of the vintage Vacheron Constantin ref. 6087. This deep dive into the 'Cornes de Vache' chronograph, a legendary reference that inspired the modern Historiques collection, offers an unprecedented visual and historical comparison. His research provides invaluable context for collectors and enthusiasts seeking to understand the subtle distinctions and provenance of these iconic timepieces.
Vacheron Constantin's ref. 6087, with its cow horn lugs, has become a legend and was the source of inspiration for the 2015 Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 ref. 5000H.
But, as far as I know, its different versions have never been collected and compared.
So here are, presented together, the 11 variants I've been able to identify (out of 36, according to Christie's), organised by increasing movement number.
Hopefully, you will find this
research and
comparison interesting: in my previous thread,
Did you say "Cornes de Vache"?, I had only scratched the surface of the different vintage variants.
Case size is 35 x 11.5 or 12.5 mm (information varies) and the movement is calibre 492.
1/ MOVEMENT NO. 466825
This first example is unique in a very strange way, as it is the only one to have been presented for sale three times, each time with a different dial.
a/ Silver dial, arabic numerals, dot indexes, no chrono scale sold in 1991
b/ Silver dial, arabic numerals, stick indexes, tachymeter scale sold in 1994
c/ Black dial, Roman numerals, stick indexes, tachymeter scale sold in 2011
credit: Antiquorum (1-2), Christie’s (3) & Amsterdam Vintage Watches
2/ MOVEMENT NO. 466826
Silver dial, Arabic numerals, dot indexes, no chrono scale
3/ MOVEMENT NO. 466828
Silver dial, Arabic numerals, dot indexes, no chrono scaleSold in
2007 &
2015
credit: Sotheby’s & Phillips
4/ MOVEMENT NO. 466829 Silver dial, Arabic numerals, dot indexes, no chrono scale
Sold in
2014
credit: Christie’s
5/ MOVEMENT NO. 469954
Silver dial signed "Milos", Roman numerals, dart indexes, no chrono scale: this configuration is very unique.
Sold in
1990,
2005 &
2006
credit: Antiquorum
NB: EXAMPLES NO. 6 TO 9 SHARE THE SAME DIAL CONFIGURATION WITH THE WORD "TELEMETRE" AT 12 O'CLOCK & ARABIC NUMERALS WITH OPEN 66/ MOVEMENT NO. 469999
Silver dial, Arabic numerals, stick indexes & "telemeter" scale
7/ MOVEMENT NO. 470022
Silver dial, Arabic numerals, stick indexes & "telemeter" scaleSold in
1990 &
1992
credit: Antiquorum
8/ MOVEMENT NO. 470023
Silver dial, Arabic numerals, stick indexes & "telemeter" scale
Sold in
2005 &
2021
credit: Antiquorum
9/ MOVEMENT NO. 470026
Silver dial, Arabic numerals, stick indexes & "telemeter" scale
Sold in
2005 &
2006
credit: Antiquorum
10/ MOVEMENT NO. 470072
Silver dial, Roman numerals, stick indexes & tachymeter scaleSold in
2003

credit: Antiquorum, FHH & Perezcope
11/ MOVEMENT NO. 470084
Silver dial, no numerals, stick indexes, no scale
Sold in
2006,
2007,
May 2011 (strangely, Antiquorum presents the piece without any movement or case number),
June 2011 &
October 2011: yes, this piece seems to have been sold 3 times during the same year...

credit: Antiquorum (1-3 & 5), Christie’s (4), Swiss Watches Magazine (5-7), Monochrome (8-9) & The Naked Watchmaker (10-16)
Do you have a favorite among them?
My personal favorite is no. 10 (and no. 1 with second dial, but I prefer the Roman numerals of no. 10).
I personally don't respond to the design of the Arabic numerals on the four "telemeter" versions (no. 6 to 9).
Thanks for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
About the Vacheron Constantin Ref. 5000H
The Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 reference 5000H draws inspiration from the Vacheron Constantin reference 6087, particularly its distinctive "cow horn" lugs. This modern reinterpretation pays homage to a notable design from the brand's heritage, positioning it as a contemporary piece with a clear historical lineage within the Historiques collection. It represents a commitment to revisiting and reinterpreting significant past designs for current collectors.
The watch features a case crafted from precious metal, housing a manual-winding chronograph movement. The design emphasizes traditional watchmaking aesthetics, with a focus on the intricate details of both the case and the dial. The crystal is typically sapphire, providing durability and clarity over the dial, which often includes a pulsometer scale, a common feature on chronographs of this style.
This reference appeals to collectors interested in Vacheron Constantin's historical designs and the evolution of its chronograph offerings. The 5000H series has been produced in various material configurations, offering different aesthetic choices while maintaining the core design language. Its connection to the earlier 6087 makes it a point of interest for those who appreciate the brand's legacy and the continuity of its design philosophy.
Specifications
- Caliber
- 1142
- Case
- Platinum
- Diameter
- 38.5mm
- Dial
- Opaline
- Water Resist.
- 30m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
About the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ref. CornesdeVache1955
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.
Specifications
- Caliber
- Caliber 1142
- Case
- 18k 5N Pink Gold
- Diameter
- 38.5 mm
- Dial
- Opaline Silver
- Water Resist.
- 30 meters
- Crystal
- Sapphire