Just a handful of brands can pride themselves in combining two of the greatest horological complications —the minute repeater and the tourbillon— in one timepiece and of course Vacheron Constantin is one of them. Fitted with a generous 44 mm case in 18K 5N pink gold, an 18K pink gold dial with astonishing guilloché motif and sporting an elegant dark brown alligator strap, comes the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon ref. 6500T/000R-B324 in all its glory with a crystal clear minute repeating mechanism and a tourbillon with carriage in the shape of a Maltese cross. Also available in platinum with two different dial options, this minute repeater tourbillon brings to the table the best expertise from the oldest watch manufacture in the world established in 1755.
The Dial
With an impressive silvered dial in 18K pink gold with hand guilloché motif and off-centered railway minute track in black, the lower portion of the dial on the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon ref. 6500T is devoted to highlight the tourbillon opening at 6 o'clock with its mirror polished carriage in the shape of a Maltese cross —Vacheron Constantin's emblem— and running seconds hand in 18K pink gold.
Featuring applied markers in 18K pink gold and dauphine hands, this Minute Repeater Tourbillon is as elegant as it gets. At 12 o'clock, the marker is shaped like one of the arms of the Maltese cross but in an elongated form. An applied Maltese cross in 18K pink gold completes the dial with sober elegance.
The Case
Fitted with a case band actuating slider —the typical tell tale of all minute repeaters—, one can immediately tell that this is not a simple tourbillon but a sophisticated combination of a minute repeater and a tourbillon. With a generous 18K 5N pink gold round case measuring 44 mm in diameter and 12.21 mm in thickness, the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon ref. 6500T is as dressy and elegant as it gets. While one can enjoy the chiming mechanism in passing —the watch will automatically chime to mark the hours and quarter hours—, the slider allows for the wearer to chime the time on demand and at leisure.
Delivered with a magnifying glass sound resonator the 18K 5N Pink Gold case allows for a pure and clear sound when chiming the hours, quarter hours and the minutes. The case is fully mirror finished with the exception of the left case band where the minute repeater slider is located.
The Movement
The Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon is fitted with a display case back that helps amplify the sound from the minute repeater mechanism and that allows for one to contemplate the exquisitely finished manual wound movement powering this watch. This 40-jewel in-house movement calibre 2755 TMR is composed of 507 parts to provide a power reserve of 58 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 18,000 vph.
Fitted with cathedral gongs and a power reserve indicator on the main plate, the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon sports one of the most beautiful movement created by this manufacture. This movement just like all in-house VC movements is certified with the 'Poinçon de Genève' —Geneva Seal. The hammers located at the top of the movement take strong focus and a prominent position with their black polish finish that tends to render a stark black look at certain angles.
A not so convenient power reserve indicator is located on the right side of the mainplate. The power reserve indicator is divided in tenths up to 60 hours. While having a power reserve indicator on the back of the watch is not the most convenient, when it comes to a timepiece of this caliber, there is simply no way one can place a power reserve indicator on the dial side to ruin the balance and its minimalist design.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon ref. 6500T wears slightly bigger than its actual size but with impeccable wrist presence. With a minute repeater chime that is as good as it gets in terms of duration, rhythm, volume, pitch, harmony and equilibrium, this is for sure one of our favorite minute repeaters out there with a sound as clear and glassy as the clinking sound of the finest Bohemian glasses.
Sticker Price Upon Request from VC. For more info on Vacheron Constantin click here.
