Vacheron Constantin has evolved over the years from their position in the shadows of their fellow "Holy Trinity" members, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, to a watchmaker that is revered throughout the entire watchmaking industry. Crucial to this development was their attractive dress watches like the example we have here with its stunning champagne dial and beautiful 18kt yellow gold tonneau-shaped construction. While most high-end brands typically focus on creating round dress watches, there has always been room for watchmakers to experiment with timepieces that break from that convention in some way, shape or form, and shape is how the ref. 2014 that we have here breaks from that convention. Barrel-shaped, or tonneau as some might say, the ref. 2014 features rectangular design with a swollen midcase that swoops out and back in at the bottom and top of the lugs, allowing the watch to fill the wrist but remain neat when worn. With a consistent brushed finish across its gorgeously aged surface, the ref. 2014’s champagne dial pops against its darker surroundings and matches the polished bevels that finish off the watch. Set apart from the typical circular dress watches of its era in aesthetics, the ref. 2014 indeed matches its peers in specs with its 33mm diameter and manual-wind movement, both of which were certainly to be expected at the time for a dress watch.

A wonderfully classical timepiece that pushed Vacheron's conservative design language into a new direction, the ref. 2014 is a delight on the wrist that has proven to be a timeless classic that we can't help enjoy.