Switzerland-based Vacheron Constantin, one of the world’s oldest haute horlogerie manufacturer, recently held the global launch of its newest unique pieces in Doha, Qatar.

Maître Cabinotier Retrograde Armillary Tourbillon

The timepiece was produced by the three master watchmakers who created Reference 57260, which is the most complicated watch ever made, and they incorporated two of the complicated features of the superwatch – the armillary tourbillon and the double retrograde indication.

Its contemporary styling opens the structure of the calibre 1990 movement to view. The high-precision manually wound movement is housed in a 45.7 mm case in white gold. Four patent applications have been filed for this unique model.

Armillary tourbillon

The lighting reaction of the retrograde hands contrasts with the statelier pace of the armillary tourbillon with a spherical balance spring. The tourbillon operates as a sphere perpetually rotating on two axes under a sapphire crystal dome at 9 o'clock. It’s called an armillary tourbillon because it is based on an armillary sphere like the one incorporated in an astronomic clock made by the French clockmaker, Antide Janvier, in the 18th century.

The tourbillon is a visual evocation of the rings and hoops of the ancient model of the celestial sphere. The tourbillon carriage, made of lightweight aluminium alloy, incorporates Vacheron Constantin’s Maltese Cross emblem, which forms up every 15 seconds as the tourbillon rotates.

Double retrograde system

The manually wound calibre 1990 movement developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin features retrograde hours and minutes indications with instant flyback. The hands flick back to zero at such a speed that the special attention is needed to ensure a precise indication and such lightweight and resistant materials as the titanium used in the hands.

Contemporary styling and finish

Another feature that makes the timepiece original is the modern styling applied to the architecture and finish of the movement. The calibre 1990 is electro-plated with an NAC treatment in a dark anthracite colour creating a mirror-polished effect. On the dial side the movement displays its modern architecture with sharply cut bridges tempered by a sunburst satin finish and Geneva stripes. The back presents a more conventional look, finished with Geneva stripes making an elegant counterpoint to the contemporary face.

Maître Cabinotier 15-Complications Lions

This timepiece features an entirely hand-engraved case with four lions on a savannah background. It brings together 15 of the most demanding Haute Horlogerie complications and gives pride of place to astronomical functions.

It is housed within a 47 mm-diameter, 19.1 mm-thick 18K 5N pink gold case. The watch demonstrates the expertise Vacheron Constantin has acquired in the art of combining multiple complications within an extremely small space.

Malte tourbillon high jewellery

Vacheron Constantin’s Malte tourbillon high jewellery brings together the two arts of watchmaking and gem-setting. This piece features an invisible settings entirely hand-crafted, dressed in 398 baguette diamonds and 36 yellow diamonds (totalling approximately 19.67 carats), creating an illumination of time and of the tourbillon.

This model is equipped with mechanical hand-wound calibre, comprising 169 parts and endowed with an almost two-day power reserve. This new tonneau-shaped movement is entirely developed and crafted within the Manufacture. The character of the 2795 calibre is underscored by its Côtes de Genève decoration, meticulous hand-chamfering of the bar edges, and engraved individual serial number.

All Vacheron Constantin watches meet the criteria of the Hallmark of Geneva, which is issued by a neutral and independent official body. The hallmark rewards watches developed and assembled in Geneva according to extremely stringent criteria relating both to movement components and performance of the watch. – TradeArabia News Service