On the Wrist: Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ultra-Thin 1955

After yesterday’s look at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin 1907, we got to thinking about the recent trend for ultra-thin timepieces. Today, we’re bringing you a look at another one of our favorites, the Historiques Ultra-Thin 1955 by Vacheron Constantin.

The Historiques Ultra-Thin 1955, which is just 4.10 mm thick, is one of the world’s thinnest mechanical hand-wound watches. This 36mm timepiece features a case and crown in 4N 18K pink gold measuring 36 mm in diameter. Inspired by an historical 1955 Vacheron Constantin model, it features a pared-down style, with a slender bezel and lugs shaped like an arm of Vacheron Constantin’s Maltese Cross emblem. That restrained aesthetic continues on the dial, which is silver-colored solid gold opaline. The dial features baton hour and minute hands, as well as geometrical hour markers.

While slenderness is not considered an horological complication (since it does not contribute a function to the watch, like a date or a chronograph), the movement at the heart of the Historiques Ultra-Thin 1955 certainly pushes micro-mechanical boundaries. The Calibre 1003, a mechanical hand-wound movement, is just 1.64 mm thick. Developed at Vacheron Constantin’s historical L’Ile premises, this refined 117-part movement beats at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations. The bridges and mainplate are in 18K gold, and the movement features Côtes de Genève, bevelling and chamfering, decorations which earned the Calibre 1003 the Hallmark of Geneva. It also boasts a 31-hour power reserve, despite its diminutive size. The movement can be glimpsed via the sapphire crystal caseback.

For more information, please visit the Vacheron Constantin website. Photo credit: Haute Time.