Vacheron Constantin

After launching the most complicated pocket watch ever made in 2015, Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin is at it again. Well, in this case, they have been at it for the past five years, which is the amount of time it took to develop their most complicated wristwatch ever – the Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600 – that debuted today at SIHH. Incredibly, the renowned Swiss manufacture was able to fit 23 functions inside a 36 mm x 8.7 mm movement, ultimately resulting in a case measuring just 45 mm x 13.6 mm. And best of all, thanks to the unique twin-dial configuration, where the front and back both act as dials, the legibility of all the distinctive functions is quite good. Furthermore, to put it in context, caliber 3600 has 514 total components, 64 jewels, 6 power barrels,

Ahead of SIHH, which takes place January 2017, Vacheron Constantin has previewed two new timepieces: the Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date and Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon. The Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date is presented in a case measuring 42.5 mm x 9.7 mm, with a silver opaline dial, in either white or pink gold. It features hours, minutes, retrograde date, precision moon phase (one correction every 122 years), and age of the moon. Visible through the exhibition caseback automatic caliber 2460 R31L which beats at 4Hz (28,800 vph), has 275 components, 27 jewels, and a 40-hour power reserve. The retail price is $39,900. The Traditionelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon comes in a case measuring 44 mm x 12.2 mm, in either platinum with a hand-guilloché silvered opaline or slate-colored dial, or pink gold with a hand-guilloché silvered opaline dial. The watch

Vacheron Constantin recently announced a new version of their Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar that is an evolution of the existing 1141QP powered models. The biggest changes being a new slate-gray colored dial and a new movement. While the dial now comes in a darker gray color. The case has stayed the same – measuring 43 mm x 12.94 mm – and is in platinum with a stepped bezel, exhibition caseback, and water-resistance rating of 30 meters. What has changed under the dial, is an evolution of caliber 1141QP. The new 114QP reference reflects a movement that is faster at 3Hz, thinner by .03 mm, and that now comes with a Geneva Seal (which is an aesthetic and performance criteria). Caliber 1142 QP runs a 21,600 vph, and consists of 324 components, 21 of which are jewels. The manual wind movement

After launching the all-new Overseas collection in January at SIHH, Vacheron Constantin recently unveiled the latest addition to the collection, the Overseas World Time. The new World Time is presented in a stainless steel case measuring 43.5 mm x 12.6 mm, equipped with a soft iron casing ring that protects against magnetic fields, and with a screwed-down crown, resulting in a sporty world time wristwatch that is water resistant to 150 meters. The exact same movement that powers the dressy Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle World Time (caliber 2460 WT), powers the new sports watch. A 22K gold oscillating weight – with wind rose, adorned with sandblasted, polished, and finely grained finishing – automatically winds the 4Hz caliber, up to a maximum 40-hour power reserve. The main plate features a perlage decoration, with Geneva strips on the bridges, as well as chamfered

Not long after the introduction of the Ref. 57260, the most complicated watch made to date, Vacheron Constantin has unveiled yet another ultra-complicated one-off timepiece: the Maître Cabinotier Retrograde Armillary Tourbillon. Borrowing the armillary tourbillon and the double retrograde functions from the aforementioned 57260 superwatch, this contemporary timepiece has a “high-precision” manually wound movement, housed inside a (45.7 mm x 20.06 mm) white gold case. Notably, the Maître Cabinotier’s caliber 1990 movement is the subject of four patent applications in regards to 1- the instantaneous retrograde system, 2- the balance spring collet, 3- the multi-carriage tourbillon, 4- the escapement lever. One of the coolest features of this watch, both technically and visually, is the retrograde hours and minutes that fly back to zero so fast, that the use of titanium was required because of its strength and lightness. Basically, the

This year at SIHH, Vacheron Constantin completely overhauled their Overseas collection, introducing five new models (representing 12 references), all equipped with manufacture movements, including three new calibers. Most notably – and the topic of much conversation – Vacheron Constantin has redesigned the case of the Overseas models. This is the biggest design departure since the transition from the 222 (introduced in 1977) to the recent look that has been around since 1996. The Overseas still shares many design elements from the original reference 222, such as the fluted bezel, as well as its sporty properties such as shock resistance, water-resistance, and anti-magnetism. However, gone are many of the straight angles, which are now curved, particularly at the lugs and case edges. The manufacture release says, “The curves of the case ensure seamless integration with the bracelet or strap, a feature

Vacheron Constantin has a long tradition of producing tailor-made complicated pocket watches for discerning collectors over its existence, leading up the reference 57260, which as you may already know, is currently the most complicated pocket watch ever made. Prior to the creation of Ref. 57260, for an unnamed client in 2015, there were four notable collector’s who had one-off complicated pocket watches created by Vacheron Constantin, starting with James Ward Packard (1918), and followed by King Faud I (1929), King Farouk of Egypt (1946), and Count Guy de Boisrouvray (1948). Needless to say, one of Vacheron Constantin’s many specialities includes creating one-of-a-kind timepieces for wealthy collectors. Of all the complicated pieces the manufacture has commissioned over their history, none can match the sheer amount of time, effort, and expense required to create this extraordinary horological masterpiece. It took 3 master

Debuting at the Watches & Wonders trade fair in Hong Kong last week, this one-of-a-kind timepiece features a regulator display, including a full perpetual calendar and an exquisitely finished hand-guilloché dial. If creating the world’s most complicated timepiece was not enough – this new masterpiece leaves no doubt: Vacheron Constantin is amongst the best manufactures in the world at creating complicated one-off timepieces. Presented in a 42 mm by 11.7 mm fully polished pink gold case, the Maître Cabinotier Perpetual Calendar Regulator houses automatic caliber 2460 RQP which beats at 4Hz, has 334 components, 27 jewels and a 40-hour power reserve. The regulator-type dial layout means that all seven functions are displayed separately. Hours, minutes, perpetual calendar (date, day of the week, month, leap year), and moon phase each have their own location. The enhanced legibility of this type of

Vacheron Constantin debuts the world’s most complicated watch, Ref. 57260, which was created by 3 master watchmakers over the course of 8 years. The ultra-complicated 2,800 component timepiece has a record-breaking 57 complications.

Last week at Phillips Auction house at 450 Park Avenue in New York City we attended the opening of Phillips “New Now” September 17 art auction. The cocktail reception was held in conjunction with Vacheron Constantin, which included much of the Swiss watch brand’s collection, including the highlight, five new limited edition Overseas timepieces. The Glenlivet provided tastings of their 15, 18, 21 and 25-year-old Single Malt Scotch whisky, while guests enjoyed the art, watches, and live music.