W&W 2020: Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grand Complication Split-Seconds Chronograph “Tempo”
Vacheron Constantin introduces one of the most complicated wristwatches ever produced by the Maison. This one-of-a-kind double-sided timepiece displays the chronograph hours and measurements on the front, along with a perpetual calendar. The back is dedicated to astronomical functions, including indications of solar time, equation of time, sunrise and sunset, day and night duration, as well as the age and phase of the moon. This watch featuring a tourbillon regulator is also equipped with a minute repeater.
In 2019, the Maison’s “Les Cabinotiers” department chose to pay tribute to them through one-of-a-kind models grouped under the theme “La Musique du Temps”. Les Cabinotiers Grande Complication Split-seconds chronograph “Tempo” is the crowning embodiment of this approach. For the first time, the repeater watches from “La Musique du Temps” range have a unique sound print, recorded and certified by Abbey Road Studios.
Abbey Road Studios
In addition to the minute repeater function, the front side also displays timekeeping and calendar indications in addition to the split-seconds chronograph. The perpetual calendar indications are provided by the two lower subdials: one for the day and date, the other for the month and leap year.
Front side of Les Cabinotiers Grande Complication Split-seconds chronograph “Tempo”
The symmetrically placed upper subdials are dedicated to marking off time. The hours appear on the left- hand subdial with an inner 24-hour disc that can be used to display a second time zone; while the right- hand subdial shows the minutes on the outer disc and carries the chronograph 30-minute counter on the inner disc. the watchmakers of the Maison created a split-seconds chronograph equipped with a column wheel. The split-seconds system with two central hands enables intermediate (split) times to be calculated by stopping one of the two hands which, once restarted, ‘catches up’ with the first.
Reverse side of Les Cabinotiers Grande Complication Split-seconds chronograph “Tempo”
On the reverse watch face, the central hands, including the minutes hand with the sun symbol, indicate true solar time. Based on the apparent displacement of the sun, the latter differs from civil time due to the inclination of the earth’s axis and the eccentricity of the earth’s orbit. The difference is what is known as the equation of time, which, on this timepiece, is of the ‘running’ variety, given the simultaneous nature of the two readings of time on either side of the watch. This information is complemented by indications of sunrise and sunset times as well as the duration of day and night, respectively positioned at 3 and 9 o’clock.
The lowest part of the dial features a display of the age and phase of the moon by means of a retrograde hand sweeping over a semi-circular subdial. To ensure the visual harmony of this second dial, the tourbillon is placed at 12 o’clock with its carriage shaped like a Maltese cross – the emblem of the Maison – topped by the central pointer-type power- reserve indicator.
Calibre 2756 with 1.163 components
The 24 complications are powered by the Calibre 2756 with 1.163 components that are all bedded in a 50 mm sized 18K 5N pink gold case. A split-seconds lifting-lever was especially designed to save energy for a timepiece to be able to guarantee a power reserve of 65 hours and still lasting up to 40 hours even with the chronograph activated. The two slate grey dials are finished with sunray and guilloché finishes around the circumference.
Les Cabinotiers Grande Complication Split-seconds Chronograph “Tempo” is worn on a brown Mississippiensis alligator leather strap and is a one-of-a-kind timepiece.
Les Cabinotiers Grande Complication Split-seconds Chronograph “Tempo”
REFERENCE:
9740C/000R-B692
CASE:
18K 5N pink gold
DIMENSIONS:
Diameter: 50.0 mm Height: 21.0 mm
WATER RESISTANCE:
N/A
DIAL:
Sunray slate opaline for the upper central part Guilloché central ring Sunray slate grey external ring White painted indications
BRACELET:
Brown Mississippiensis alligator leather strap
MOVEMENT:
Calibre 2756
MOVEMENT TYPE:
Manual-winding
POWER RESERVE:
65 hours
FREQUENCY:
18,800 Vph / 2.5 Hz
FUNCTIONS – FRONT:
Off-centre hours and minutes, Minute repeater (hours, quarters and minutes on demand), 2nd time zone / 24H time zone, 30-minute counter chronograph, Split-second chronograph, Perpetual calendar (date, day, month and leap year)
FUNCTIONS – BACK:
Regulator tourbillon, Retrograde phase and age of the moon, Running equation of time, Sunrise and sunset time, Day / Night length, Power reserve indication
The collection „La Musique du Temps” includes a series of exceptional chiming watches. The new Les Cabinotiers Grande Complication Astronomique à Sonnerie Ode to Music is based first and foremost on a minute repeater which determined the construction of the entire calibre. The starting point was the Manufacture 1731 movement, due to its extreme slimness for a…
The DiaStar is rather a historic model for watch manufacture Rado, with the timepiece appearing only five years after the brand's founding back in 1957. The first 1962 DiaStar quickly gained a following for its distinctive shape and extremely resistant tungsten-carbide case – a highly unusual material for a watch both then and now. Following…
The Fifty Fathoms collection embodies Blancpain's passion for the underwater world, which began in 1953 with the creation of the first modern divers' watch. With its 70-year history of Fifty Fathoms, the brand is closely aligned with the world's explorers, photographers, oceanographers and conservationists who appreciate and protect precious underwater life. Now, the model line…
Breguet is presenting a new variant of the Tradition 7047. The watch puts the spotlight on the mechanics and integrates a tourbillon as well as a drive via chain and fusée. The new model now has a blue dial and a tourbillon cage and fusée in the same colour. Previously, the watch was only available…
TUDOR is standing out at this year's Watches & Wonders thanks to the introduction of its brand new Black Bay Fifty-Eight models. Two versions are available; the Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 with a sterling silver case, or the Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K with an 18-carat gold case and green dial. Both models now integrate a…
For more than one year Richard Mille supports the Alfa Romeo Racing Team. Since 2018 the Formula 1 world champion Kimi Räikkönen is also part of this team. In the occasion of the Singapore Grand Prix the brand now introduces the RM 50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen. Richard Mille RM50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen…
Porsche Design celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 Turbo with a special edition timepiece, the Chronograph 1 – 50 Years 911 Turbo Edition. Limited to 500 pieces, this watch is a homage to the legendary sports car unveiled at the 1974 Paris Motor Show. The Chronograph 1 – 50 Years 911 Turbo Edition…
Zenith is introducing the Chronomaster Revival A385, a reissue of the original A385 from 1969. The new model is an exact reproduction of the historical prototype which, together with two other variants, formed the first generation of the El Primero chronograph. As the first automatic high-frequency chronograph, the El Primero quickly achieved great fame. However,…
Despite its roots as Thierry Hermès' Parisian saddlery workshop for fine harnesses, Hermès has bloomed into a brand with cult status (Birkin bag, anyone?) during the last 187 years. However, it has always maintained its focus on craftsmanship along the way, demonstrating its expertise in haute horlogerie, too. At Watches & Wonders 2024, Hermès presented…
On the occasion of the classic car event Le Mans Classic, Richard Mille presents the RM 029 Automatic Le Mans Classic, a limited special edition. The event was co-founded by the Manufacture and takes place every two years near Le Mans in France. The watch celebrates the return of the event in 2022, and accordingly…
The world of haute horlogerie welcomes a new variant of the Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon “Quai de l’Horloge”. The watch is an homage to the rich tradition of craftsmanship and technical innovations that have defined the brand since its inception. With the introduction of this watch, Breguet honors the famous invention of the tourbillon, patented…
The A. Lange & Söhne manufacture presents a new SAXONIA THIN. The watch appears in an extremely flat pink gold case. However, all the attention is on the dial, which is reminiscent of the starry sky thanks to a special finish. Inside works the slimmest movement of the house, which nevertheless offers 72 hours of…
Watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre has revamped its 'Master Control' collection, launching a range of 40 mm timepieces featuring open casebacks. The watches are now driven by updated calibres that integrate various energy-saving enhancements. One of the new iterations is the Master Control Chronograph Calendar, combining a complete calendar with a chronograph - a first for Jaeger-LeCoultre. It…