On the Geneva watch fair SIHH in January 2019 the brand Vacheron Constantin from the identically named district in Switzerland presented a new model. With the Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar the world’s oldest watch manufacture in continuous activity launched a mode with a calibre with minute repeater and perpetual calendar in white gold (Ref. 6610C/000G-B511) and rose gold (Ref. 6610C/000R-B510).
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar in white gold Ref. 6610C/000G-B511
In the history of the label these features have a unique meaning. The new model is part of a line of models, that have been inspired by and adapted to the actual epoche, but still have a historic backround. In 1992 the Swiss brand launched a model which combined an hours, quarters and minutes repeating mechanism with a perpetual calendar. In 2013 Vacheron Constantin presented the self-winding calibre 1731, a number referring to the birth year of Jean-Marc Vacheron, which also is inspired by historic calibres and has a minute repeater.
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar in white gold Ref. 6610C/000G-B511
The name of the model Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar already relates to history. In the 18th century the watchmakers worked in so called ‘cabinets’. These were light-filled workshops, located on the top floor of the city’s buildings. The alchemists of this time, who were inspired by the time’s spirit of discovery and the philosophy of the ‘Age of Enlightment’, were called ‘cabinotiers’.
Today the work of the section ‘Les Cabinotiers’ is based on the spirit oft he 21st century, but still remains true to the brand’s over 250 years of history.
A watch making movement: historic, but contemporary
The mechanism of the new Les Cabinotiers was revised: The calibre 1731 QP with minute repeater and perpetual calender is located in the heart of the skinny gold case with a diameter of 42 mm.
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar in white gold Ref. 6610C/000G-B511
The height of the mechanism holding the two complications is only 5,70 mm. Additionally the swiss watchmakers developed a silent strike governor serving to control the cadence of the hammers in striking the gongs.
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar in white gold Ref. 6610C/000G-B511 and rose gold Ref. 6610C/000R-B510
In total 438 pieces were used by the watch makers of the maison to produce the mechanical manual-winding movement. Beating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and equipped with a 65-hour power reserve, it drives hours, minutes, day, date, month, leap-year indication, moon phase and minute repeater functions.
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar in rose gold Ref. 6610C/000R-B510
The watch’s case has a diameter of 42 mm and is made either of white gold (Reference: 6610C/000G-B511) or rose gold (Reference: 6610C/000R-B510). The extremely pure lines make the model simple and unpretentious. Its complexity can only be recognized due to its minute repeater on the left side of the case. The dial of the white gold model is night blue, while the dial of the rose gold model is brown. The day, date and month indication in the top part of the dial are clearly visible but discreet. The focus lays on the golden moon in the bottom part of the dial.
