In the wake of the Vacheron Constantin reference 57260 and its 57 complications presented in 2015, the Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon Piece Unique highlights two emblematic functions for the oldest watchmaking manufacture in the world. Equipped with a bi-axial armillary tourbillon with spherical balance-spring and an instantaneous retrograde display of the hours and minutes in an arch between 12 and 6 o’clock, this timepiece is an exceptional horological example like no other.

Released two months ago in grade 5 titanium also as a piece unique, the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon Piece Unique in 18K rose gold is in our opinion way more impressive, especially due to the impressive hand-engraving throughout its caseband.

Things to Know About the Watch

For the development of the Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon Piece Unique, several principles that come from the research conducted throughout an 8-year period when developing the reference 57260 were applied. The Vacheron Constantin reference 57260 watch is the most complicated timepiece in the world with its 57 complications and it was presented to celebrate the 260th anniversary of Vacheron Constantin in 2015.

The Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon watch is the first to have benefited from these findings with its double retrograde time indication and the bi-axial armillary tourbillon with spherical balance-spring. Housed in a massive and robust 45 mm case in 18K rose gold, the watch is powered by the manual wound calibre 1990. This movement drives the instant double retrograde hours and minutes function located on the right side of the dial in a semi-circular indicator between 12 and 6 o’clock.

With a strikingly fast return to zero once the 60 minutes and 12 hours have elapsed, the slate opaline dial is limited to a single chapter ring accentuated by Arabic numerals for the minutes and Roman numerals for the hours. This particular configuration of the time indications gives full scope to the armillary tourbillon bearing the small seconds, majestically displayed on the left side of the watch.

Positioned beneath a bubble formed by the sapphire crystal, the armillary tourbillon consists of two nested carriages moving on two different axes at a speed of 60 seconds per rotation. Forming a sphere in perpetual motion, this tourbillon was named "armillary" in reference to the French watchmaker Antide Janvier, who in the 18th century created a spectacular astronomical clock bearing an armillary sphere.

Other features of this exceptional mechanism include its silicon escapement and cylindrical balance-spring. Invented by Jacques-Frédéric Houriet in 1814, the cylindrical balance-spring, which has no terminal curve, gives the tourbillon a perfectly concentric beat, thereby guaranteeing improved isochronism. As for the escapement developed by Vacheron Constantin, it has a silicon wheel and lever with diamond pallets. These ultra-light high-tech materials, which guarantee durability and longevity, contribute to the remarkable precision of this timepiece, whose performance considerably exceeds the requirements of the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute —COSC. Four patents have been filed for the retrograde system, escapement, and tourbillon of this 1990 calibre.

About Les Cabinotiers

Les Cabinotiers is a very exclusive department within Vacheron Constantin. This department is the one dedicated to the personalization of pieces and unique creations like the Armillary Tourbillon Piece Unique we have here. A tradition that dates back to the 18th century, when master watchmakers were called cabinotiers and worked in ateliers bathed in natural light, known as cabinets and located on the top floors of Geneva's buildings.

In the hands of these learned artisans, open to the new ideas, exceptional timepieces were born, inspired by astronomy, mechanical engineering and the arts. This expertise, which constitutes the great Geneva watchmaking tradition, has been flowing through Vacheron Constantin’s veins since 1755. Totally hand-engraved by hand, the caseband of the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon Piece Unique bears a snake intertwined with leaves and a tree branch. A perfect example of the mastery and creativity of Vacheron Constantin, the watch is a real treat for the eyes.

On the Wrist & Price

On the wrist, the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon Piece Unique wears true to its actual size and with unparalleled wrist presence. Very few watches out there can compete in terms of wrist time against a watch of this caliber. A true feat of horology that blends classic and modern watch design in what we think is a true piece of art. Once again, Vacheron Constantin proves their prowess as the oldest watch manufacture in the world.

Sticker Price Upon Request. For more info on Vacheron Constantin click here.