Vacheron Constantin’s Traditionnelle family is the expression of centuries of Swiss watchmaking history, in which the manufacture has played an integral part. But like its other collections, it takes this expertise and respect for classical fine watchmaking and transforms it into a handsome piece of timekeeping ready for modern wrists.

Its latest addition continues in this spirit, a new take on its complete calendar timepiece given a contemporary edge in white gold with a sleek slate-grey dial. Here, this challenging complication has cleverly been reworked into an intriguing format that lends balance and a purity of design to the dial. The month and day are positioned at apertures at 3 and 9 o’clock respectively. More unusually, the date is expressed through the numerals around the edge of the dial, indicated with a hand elegantly tipped with a crescent motif. This allows plenty of breathing room for the handsome moon phase display at 6 o’clock, which requires just one correction every 122 years.

This blend of form and function is evident inside and out. Powering the watch is the in-house Calibre 2460 QCL/1, an evolution of the Calibre 2450, the first self-winding movement entirely designed and developed by Vacheron Constantin. And as with the exterior it is impeccably finished, from the circular-grained baseplate to the chamfered bridges adorned with a Côtes deGenève decoration. The final touch comes with the gold open-worked oscillating weight in the form of the maison’s signature Maltese cross, admirable through the sapphire-crystal case back.

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