Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/07/08/vacheron-constantin-harmony-chronograph-reviewed-by-tim-mosso/
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Like a proper movie star, this VC has a pretty face. The dial’s printed rather than applied features are historically appropriate but also sharply defined the way only modern methods can achieve. Pulsation scales are as endearing to watch fans as full-cast autographs are to the Comicon crowd.
Each sub-register glows with a polished rose gold chapter ring and crisply centered concentric grooving. Polished pear-style hands and the subtle opaline texture of the silver surface ensure that this reads like the dial of a $60K+ watch.
Because Vacheron fits a 32.8mm manufacture movement purpose-built for the Harmony’s incredible hulking proportions, the dial’s hands, registers, and power reserve indictor are properly spaced and proportional.
To its credit, VC refused to fall back on is well-traveled Lemania 2310 evolutions, and the watchmaking staff built a large movement expressly for a large case. It fits like a hand in a glove – and NO, not that glove.
The caliber 3300 is a different world compared to VC’s aging Lemania-based 114X series. For one, there’s nothing comical about 3300’s majestic tandem of size and detail. Elements that overlap and become partially obscured on the Lemania are spaced out to stand out on the 3300.
Overall finish is worthy of the prominent Poinçon de Genève, but tiny Easter eggs go beyond the minimum.
Marvel at that column wheel; it’s not capped in Geneva fashion but left open with VC’s Maltese cross logo at center.
The chronograph minute wheel and the clutch’s intermediate wheel feature tiny Maltese crosses hidden underneath. All chronograph levers, horns, hammers, and clutch structures earn rave reviews for their clean horizontal brushed satin and even lateral anglage; this is no simple matter to apply on steel components.
The rhodium-plated brass bridges boast well-defined bevels. By itself, the chronograph bridge sports three interior creases where bevels meet. A few of Vacheron’s lesser “Poinçon” movements lack even one such flourish.
Like the “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the parts of caliber 3300 succeed on the strength of the ensemble rather than a single standout performance. Lateral clutches and column wheels are sexy, and the Harmony’s revealed chrono pieces are enough to warrant a strong PG-13 rating.
Equally impressive is the tandem of a modern free-sprung balance and a very traditional hand-bent overcoil hairspring.
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Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/07/08/vacheron-constantin-harmony-chronograph-reviewed-by-tim-mosso/