While Vacheron Constantin already has a few triple calendar watches in its catalogue, including the old-school Historiques and contemporary FiftySix. But perhaps the perfect blend of classical and modern is Traditionnelle triple calendar introduced three years ago.

The latest version of the Traditionnelle Complete Calendar is in white gold, paired with a grey dial – a clean, restrained combination.

Initial thoughts

While the latest version is merely a change of colours, it’s still a smart look. Already appealing in terms of design, the Traditionnelle gets better with the right case metal and dial. And here the grey-on-silver formula is perfect.

The Traditionnelle Complete Calendar is unusual for the dial layout. Instead of having twin-windows side at side under 12 o’clock, the day and month indicators are pushed to the edge of the dial. This opens up the dial aesthetic, while also improving legibility.

Like the other models in the Traditionnelle family, the Complete Calendar is masculine and serious, especially in this colour, but not mundane. That’s thanks in part to interesting details, like the double-baton marker at 12 o’clock and a case with a coin-edge fluting on the back.

Importantly, the movement is decorated well – as good as it gets as far as big brands go – it even packs a few inward angles on its anglage (even if they aren’t extremely sharply angled).

At US$41,000, the price tag is hefty, but it is considerably more affordable than any of Vacheron Constantin’s perpetual calendars, which start at twice as much. And of course it is made all the more acceptable with the attractive design.

Thoughtful details

Both the front and back illustrate that the watch was executed in thoughtful and detailed manner. The grey dial, for example is, is triple-tone: the middle portion is pale grey and finely grained, while the minute track is a dark grey, and finally the date ring is concentrically brushed.

At the same time, the calendar discs and date pointer hand are dark grey, allowing them to blend harmoniously into the dial.

The movement is similarly excellent, in both construction and decoration.

The fine finishing is especially telling on the dial-side, where the steel springs and levers are all vertically grained on top, with thin, polished bevels on the edges. And the day and month star wheels each sport a black-polished cap.

And the base movement is the cal. 2460, a calibre that’s the top-of-the-line automatic offered by Vacheron Constantin and found only in its higher-end self-winding watches.

The dial side of the movement: the calendar mechanism is modular, meaning it is added on top of the base movement

Key Facts and Price

Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar
Ref. 4010T/000G-B740

Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 10.7 mm
Material: 18k white gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. 2460 QCL/1
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, day, moon phase, month
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 hz)
Power reserve: 40 hours

Strap: Alligator with pin buckle

Limited edition: No
Availability: At boutiques and authorised retailers starting early December 2021
Price: US$41,300; or 59,500 Singapore dollars

For more, visit vacheronconstantin.com