DEBUTS COMPLEX
CABINOTIERS WATCHES
By Michael Thompson
Vacheron Constantin in 2019 pays tribute to 18th century Geneva
special-order watchmakers called Cabinotiers with a selection of one-of-
a-kind complicated watches.
Like those historic watchmakers, Vacheron Constantin’s own
Cabinotiers department also makes highly complex timepieces devised
as unique pieces or in extremely limited editions, each created to
demonstrate multiple technical and artisanal skills at the highest levels.
One of the new pieces, the new Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers
Grand Complication Phoenix, is a stunning example of a multi-
complication watchmaking and handcrafted finishing in one 47mm gold
wristwatch.
Specifically focusing on grand complications, the watch includes an
impressive array of those high-level indications – including perpetual
calendar, equation of time, sunrise and sunset, sky chart, seasons, signs
of the zodiac, age and phase of the moon, solstices, sidereal hours and
minutes. With a minute repeater and a tourbillon, the watch offers fifteen
special functions and indications in all.
Driving all of them is Vacheron Constantin’s Caliber 2755, a famed
manual-winding movement with a 58-hour power reserve that the
company has reserved for particularly complicated offerings.
The watch’s case is equally impressive. Vacheron Constantin explains
that it pays tribute to two engraving art techniques in particular:
pounced ornament – or bas-relief (for the case-band) and fine line
engraving (for the bezel and caseback). Prices are upon request.
LES CABINOTIERS MINUTE REPEATER
TOURBILLON SKY CHART
The Vacheron Constantin’s second unique-piece, the Les Cabinotiers
Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky Chart, echoes the Celestia Astronomical
Grand Complication 3600 and the Symphonia Grande Sonnerie 1860
created by the company’s Les Cabinotiers department in 2017.
The watch’s 45mm white gold case is rimmed by a bezel and lugs
set with baguette-cut diamonds. These are echoed on the black dial by
baguette-cut diamond hour-markers and a central guilloché pattern
that beautifully emphasizes the tourbillon at 6 o’clock. At left, the minute
repeater slide is subtle in comparison to the high-carat bezel and lugs,
almost as if such a complicated function is expected on any piece of
high watchmaking.
Turn the watch over to view the namesake sky chart, which depicts
the night sky above Geneva. The miniature universe performs one full
spin on its axis in 23 hours and 56 minutes, corresponding to sidereal
time. This indication is complemented by a display showing sidereal
months and cardinal points.
These functions are made possible using, once again, Vacheron
Constantin’s Caliber 2755.
In addition to these new watches, Vacheron Constantin debuted a
series of unique Mécaniques Sauvages timepieces, also crafted by the
firm’s Les Cabinotiers department, dedicated to wild animals – from
savannah to jungle, from the earth to the sky. These combine grand
complications) and Artistic Crafts such as enameling and engraving.
Prices upon request.
Grand Complication Phoenix
Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky
Grisalle Falcon Millary Tourbillon Snake
Mysterious Animals Tiger Tourbillon 14 days Lion
WINTER 2019 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 111