Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date | © Vacheron Constantin
© Vacheron Constantin

Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date: platinum excellence from Vacheron Constantin

The elegantly understated Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date model is joining the Collection Excellence Platine concept. Launched in 2006, the concept offers collectors exceptional watches in 950 platinum limited editions.

The Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date first launched in 2017 in white and pink gold versions. It is one of Vacheron Constantin‘s signature watches. Three years after its launch, this timepiece is joining the Collection Excellence Platine concept.

Drawing inspiration from the watches created by the Maison in the 1950s, this timepiece uses the minimalist aesthetic approach. The 42.5 mm round case houses the self-winding Manufacture 2460 R31L calibre. It features a precision moon phase and retrograde pointer-type date display. For optimal user-friendliness, Vacheron Constantin chose the crown to perform all function settings.

Limited edition

With its Collection Excellence Platine concept launched in 2006, Vacheron Constantin produces exceptional watches for collectors. Ranging from the simplest to the most complicated, the concept offers timepieces in limited editions at a rate of one or two models per year. It’s worth nothing that the Maison crafts these watches out of 950 platinum, from case to dial including the buckle.

The moon-phase disc is in platinum and peeks through an aperture at 6 o’clock. It features a polished surface on the stars and a grained texture for the moon circles; the latter imitates the irregularities of the lunar surface. The dial is slightly convex around its circumference and punctuated by applied 18-carat white gold hour-markers, appearing at intervals around a likewise white gold “pearl” minute-track.

Precision moon phase and retrograde date

Manufacture self-winding 2460 R31L calibre powers this timepiece and carries a 40-hour power reserve. The transparent sapphire caseback provides a chance to view this 275-part movement. The circular-grained surface of its mainplate and its openworked 22-carat gold oscillating weight inspired by Vacheron Constantin’s Maltese cross emblem are particularly interesting.

Furthermore, the moon phases are displayed through an aperture at 6 o’clock, graduated from 0 to 29½. They serve to count off the number of days elapsed since the last new moon. This horological “age of the moon” complication corresponds to the actual cycle of the heavenly body. The moon rotates around the Earth in exactly 29 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes. The precision moon phases mechanism requires only one-day correction once every 122 years.

Additionally, the second complication occupies the upper part of the dial. It features a retrograde date indication by means of the central hand. To ensure user friendliness, all operations are performed via the crown: winding, date correction, moon-phase adjustment and time-setting.

Finally, the Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date will be produced in a limited edition of 50.

Technical information:

Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date | © Vacheron Constantin
Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date | © Vacheron Constantin

Caliber:
2460 R31L
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, self-winding
27.2 mm (11½’’’) diameter, 5.4 mm thick
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour)
275 components
27 jewels
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Indications:
Hours, minutes
Retrograde date
Precision moon phase, age of the moon
Case:
950 platinum
42.5 mm diameter, 9.7 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial:
950 platinum, sand-blasted
“Pt950” hallmark between 4 and 5 o’clock
Convex external zone
950 platinum moon disc
18K white gold applied hour-markers and 18K circular “pearl” minute-track

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