New Interpretation of the Complete Calendar by Vacheron Constantin

The watchmaker based in Geneva has merged age-old traditions with current trends.

The Traditionnelle Complete Calendar model is the latest step towards the modern ideal. Back in 2018 when Vacheron's first wristwatch with a triple calendar debuted, with two apertures for the weekday and month and a central hand with a crescent-shaped tip for the date, it was immediately launched in platinum.

The calendar subsequently appeared in a pink-gold case, and now it's back in a 41 mm white-gold case— the ideal frame for its dark gray dial. Traditionnelle is the most minimalistic of the watchmaker's three calendar collections. Historiques and Fiftysix feature a similar set of specifications, but Traditionnelle has a more low-key look.

This impression is created by the way the calendar apertures are arranged, which spread out around the edge of the dial, taking up the entire face instead of being placed next to each other, along with the lack of large numerals.

For the Traditionnelle Complete Calendar, bets were placed on elongated markers, while miniature numerals are only used for the date and length of the lunar cycle. The watch is equipped with caliber 2460 QCL/1,  which combines the complete calendar with a moon-phase display. Fiftysix has this indication, but the one used in the new watch is more informative, indicating the age of the Moon.

Apart from that, the precision moon-phase display in the Traditionnelle Complete Calendar stands out for its increased accuracy, which only needs to be adjusted once every 122 years. Interestingly, caliber 2460 QCL/1 which consists of 208 parts is an enhanced version of caliber 2450 — the first self-winding movement which was fully designed and developed in-house by Vacheron Constantin.

The measurements of the improved version have expanded from 26.2 mm to 29 mm in diameter and from 3.6 mm to 5.4 mm in height. The number of components it's comprised of has also increased significantly from the initial 196 parts. The finishing on the oscillating weight which is made of 22-karat gold can be seen through the watch's transparent caseback.

The watchmakers at Vacheron Constantin have maximized the view of the movement which bears the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark by skeletonizing the entire oscillating weight except for the central Maltese cross — the watchmaker's logo. The self-winding movement runs at a frequency of 4 Hz and has a 40-hour power reserve.

The 10.72 mm high case is complemented by a strap, the visible upper half of which is made of Mississippiensis alligator skin, while the inner shell is made of soft calf skin.