Two real masterpiecesSIHH 2018: Traditionnelle tourbillon and Traditionnelle complete calendar

A modern expression of the grand Geneva watchmaking tradition, the aptly named Traditionnelle collection is enriching its palette of horological complications with two bright stars in the mechanical watchmaking firmament: the complete calendar and the tourbillon.

The latter is driven by the new Vacheron Constantin Caliber 2160, the first self-winding tourbillon movement from the Maison. The new Traditionnelle watches come with a 41 mm-diameter case in 18K 5N pink gold, as well an exclusive Collection Excellence Platine edition.

Horological expertise, inimitable chic and refined style: the new Traditionnelle tourbillon and Traditionnelle complete calendar creations feature all the attributes of their proud lineage. Endowed with a stepped round case and lugs, slender bezel and a fluted caseback, railway-type minute track, Dauphine-type hands and “bâtons de Genève” hour-markers, they are driven by self-winding in-house movements revealed through the backs of their 18K 5N pink gold or 950 platinum case.

Traditionnelle tourbillon, in pink gold – Caliber 2160

The Traditionnelle tourbillon watch is a new milestone in the history of the Maison, since its 41 mm-diameter case in 18K 5N pink gold houses the first self-winding movement developed by Vacheron Constantin. In addition to the elegance of its openworked carriage shaped like a Maltese cross, the emblem of the Manufacture, Caliber 2160 is distinguished by its incredible slimness: this ultra-thin 188-part movement endowed with an approximately 80-hour power reserve measures just 5.65 mm thick. Its relatively sedate frequency (2.5 Hz), along with its 22K gold peripheral oscillating weight, provide a chance to admire the steady beating of its mechanism and the exceptional level of traditional finishing visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. The bar of the tourbillon carriage is entirely hand-bevelled, a craftsmanship operation that takes almost 12 hours for this component alone. The new Traditionnelle tourbillon timepiece displays the hours and minutes with central hands, while the small seconds appear at 6 o’clock on the tourbillon, framed by an opaline silver-toned dial graced with gold hour-markers and bi-facetted Dauphine-type hands.

Traditionnelle complete calendar, in pink gold – Calibre 2460 QCL

This classically elegant Traditionnelle watch equipped with a useful and refined horological complication is powered by a mechanical self-winding movement: Caliber 2460 QCL, entirely developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin. Its 308 components include a 22K gold oscillating weight visible through the sapphire crystal back of the 41 mm-diameter case in 18K 5N pink gold. Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz and endowed with a 40-hour power reserve, this mechanism drives central hours, minutes and seconds hands, a complete calendar (showing the day of the week, date and month), as well as precision moon phase and the age of the moon indication. The remarkably accurate moon-phase indication requires just one adjustment every 122 years (compared with 3 years for a standard version). The visual balance and legibility of the opaline silver-toned dial – featuring gold hour-markers and bi-facetted Dauphine-type hands – are accentuated by the unusual layout of the day of the week and month apertures, placed around the dial rim. The date is shown by a slender black central hand.

Traditionnelle complete calendar and Traditionnelle tourbillon Collection Excellence Platine

Vacheron Constantin has chosen to highlight these new Traditionnelle models by creating two exclusive Collection Excellence Platine editions. Through this concept launched in 2006, the Maison offers collectors exceptional watches, ranging from the simplest to the most complicated and issued in limited editions. The aesthetic signature of this prestigious range is the 950 platinum attiring the case, the sand-blasted dial bearing the secret “Pt950” inscription between 4 and 5 o’clock, as well as the folding clasp. The dark blue alligator leather strap is hand-stitched with 950 platinum and silk threads. Magnified by this precious metal, the Traditionnelle complete calendar and Traditionnelle tourbillon watches are respectively issued in 100-piece and 25-piece individually numbered editions.