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Hands On: With the new Vacheron Constantin Harmony Monopusher Chronograph

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Photos by @Onion_Horology

The Harmony Collection

Vacheron Constantin unveiled its new Harmony collection last year, marking its 260th anniversary (1755 – 2015). The Harmony timepieces featured an unusual cushion shaped case featuring pure, graphic lines.

The world’s oldest uninterrupted watch manufacture has just announced ten new models to be added to the Harmony collection, albeit mostly slight aesthetical tweaks of their limited production predecessors. We will be looking at one of them today: The Harmony Monopusher Chronograph.

The new Harmony Monopusher Chronograph

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Side-by-side comparison: the 2015 limited edition Chronograph on the left and the new 2016 standard production

The new Harmony Monopusher Chronograph’s case is unchanged, with mostly subtle changes on the dial. Still heavily inspired by the original 1928 Vacheron Constantin Chronograph, with a contemporary twist. In a nod to vintage medical watches, it features a burgundy graduated scale painted around the rim of the dial and serving to calculate the pulse based on 30 heartbeats. The hour numerals are now bolded and coloured anthracite, with matching hands for central chronograph seconds, 45 minute subdial at 3 o’clock and power reserve indication at 6 o’clock. The fonts for “Graduated For 30 Pulsations” are also replaced with a more retro script.

In house Calibre 3300

The 42mm pink gold case still houses the same manual winding calibre 3300, developed and manufactured in-house by Vacheron Constantin. It beats at a frequency of 3 Hz and boasts a higher than normal power reserve of 65 hours. It is overall beautifully designed and exquisitely finished well deserving of its Geneva seal.
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The case back view of the Harmony Monopusher Chronograph, calibre 3300

One difference is the new standard production Harmony Monopusher Chronograph no longer bears the relief engraved balance cock found on the 2015 limited edition.

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The single button that engages the chronograph function is crisp and responsive.

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On wrist: loyally traditional in styling but generously sized for the modern gentleman.

Concluding thoughts

The 261 year old manufacture has once again demonstrated their expertise and relevance with this timepiece. Offering elegance, heritage, and complications; all in Harmony.

The Harmony Chronograph in pink gold will retail for 101,000 Singapore Dollars.

Technical info:
Harmony chronograph
Reference 5300S/000R-B124
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Caliber 3300
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, manual-winding
32.8 mm (14’’’ ½) diameter
6.7 mm thick
Approximately 65 hours of power reserve
3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
252 components
35 jewels