In this comprehensive article, quattro meticulously catalogs Vacheron Constantin's monopusher chronographs, spanning nearly a century of horological innovation. His detailed visual guide, featuring both vintage and modern references, offers an invaluable resource for collectors seeking to understand the evolution and distinct characteristics of this specialized complication within the esteemed manufacture's lineage. This deep dive illuminates why these single-pusher mechanisms remain a captivating niche for enthusiasts.
All the models I could find with only one pusher to start, stop and reset the chronograph.
Enjoy!
A. VINTAGE MODELS
1/ Round case ref. 3307 (13 ligne caliber based on an ebauche by the brothers John and Charles Reymond - later known as the company Valjoux)
Model from 1927 made for King Alexander I of Yugoslavia (credit: Sotheby’s)
Model from 1929 with black hands (credit: goldammer.me courtesy of Phillips)
2/ Cushion case
a) Without pulsometer scale
Ref. 2990 ? (case n° 251050) from the 20s (credit: invaluable)
Ref. 2990 from 1930 (credit: Hodinkee)
b) With pulsometer scale
Model from 1928 with Stuart pear hands (credit: bexsonn.com)
Similar model with baton or sword (?) hands (credit: Horas y Minutos)
Similar model with B r eguet hands (credit: Davide Par m egiani)
B. MODERN MODELS
1/ Without tourbillon
a) Harmony ref. 5300S/000R-B055 with cal. 3300 (model launched for the 260th anniversary of the brand, in 2015)
(credit: Hodinkee)
b) Harmony ref. 5300S/000R-B124 with cal. 3300 (2016 edition of the previous model, with anthracite numerals instead of blue on the anniversary edition)
(credit: Hodinkee)
2/ With tourbillon
a) Harmony Ref. 5100S/000R-B125 with caliber 3200
(credit: H.M.Timepiece on FB)
b) Harmony Ref. 5100S/000P-B056 with caliber 3200
(credit: Horologium)
(credit: the watch observer)
c) Traditionnelle ref. 5100T/000R-B623 with cal. 3200
(credit: Watch I Love)
d) Traditionnelle ref. 5100T/000P-H041 with cal. 3200 (Collection Excellence Platine)
(credit: Watch Collecting Lifestyle)
(credit: Sjx)
3/ Split seconds
a) Harmony ref. 5400S/000P-B057 with cal. 3500/260
(credit: a blog to watch)
b) Traditionnelle ref. 5400T/000P-B637 with cal. 3500 (Collection Excellence Platine)
(credit: Sjx)
4/ Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Split-Seconds Monopusher Chronograph with cal. 2757 (there are 2 pushers for the chronograph on the right – one (at 2:00) for start, stop, and reset, and one (at 4:00) for the split-time function)
(credit: Hodinkee)
