Reading Time: 4 minutes

Cabinets-Cabinotiers-Geneva

Creativity never sleeps. This fall, Vacheron Constantin is revealing 2 amazing novelties that will be presented during the 2019 SIHH in Geneva. The two following timepieces are a beautiful tribute to Geneva watchmakers who used to work in the roof tops of buildings. Their workshops were called “Cabinets” and the watchmakers working there were named “Cabinotiers”.  Here are the full details for these two intriguing watches.

Pre-SIHH 2019: Les Cabinotiers Grand Complication Phoenix

vacheron-constantin-les-cabinotiers-grand-complication-phoenix-sihh2019

vacheron-constantin-les-cabinotiers-grand-complication-phoenix-front

vacheron-constantin-les-cabinotiers-grand-complication-phoenix-back

vacheron-constantin-mo-les-cabinotiers-grand-complication-phoenix-sihh2019 vacheron-constantin-mo-les-cabinotiers-grand-complication-phoenix

Vacheron Constantin has a long tradition in perpetuating the “Cabinotiers”. This is how prestigious watchmakers were named when they used to work on the top floors of Geneva’s buildings. These artists used to get inspiration in nature as well as in science and the whole creative universe would bath in the light of the Enlightenment century. They dare to craft exceptional timepieces of rare technical and aesthetic complexity: a beautiful blend of science and art.

Vacheron Constantin continues to take on these highly technical and creative challenges within its Les Cabinotiers department, which gives rise to one-of-a-kind models intended for clients and collectors, along with specifically commissioned bespoke timepieces. Engineers, designers, watchmakers and craftsmen unite their imagination, expertise and passion in bringing this extremely refined watchmaking excellence to life, as is vividly testified by the new one-of-a-kind Les Cabinotiers Grande Complication Phoenix. The legend of the never dying bird inspired Vacheron Constantin for this watch. A symbol of immortality that inspired the creators of this watch and its 15 complications.

  • Perpetual Calendar
  • Equation of Time
  • Sunrise and Sunset
  • Sky Chart
  • Seasons
  • Signs of Zodiac
  • Age and phase of the moon
  • Solstices
  • Sidereal hours and minutes
  • 58 hours Power reserve
  • Minute repeater
  • Tourbillon
  • Hours, minutes and seconds

The numerals and hands stand out clearly against the slate-grey colour of the two dials on either side of the watch, beautifully offsetting the pink gold case. The optimal legibility of this complex model is also ensured by the layout of the additional counters and the various time indications.

To power this fantastic watch, Vacheron Constantin has chosen the Caliber 2755. This manual-winding movement endowed with a 58-hour power reserve is dedicated to the particularly sophisticated models of the Manufacture – and notably those in the exceptional Grand Complication category to which this one-of-a-kind model belongs.

Last but not least, lets underline the outstanding engraving work of this watch. Les Cabinotiers Grande Complication Phoenix pays a beautiful tribute to engraving art techniques that only few artisans master at this level of perfection. The “bas-relief” orchestrated in the watch case band is astonishing by its details.

Pre-SIHH 2019: Les Cabinotiers minute repeater tourbillon sky chart

vacheron-constantin-les-cabinotiers-mrt-sky-chart-soldier

vacheron-constantin-les-cabinotiers-mrt-sky-chart

vacheron-constantin-les-cabinotiers-mrt-sky-chart-bqck

Ably meeting the highest technical, aesthetic and artistic challenges, the one-of-a-kind Vacheron Constantin models currently created by its Les Cabinotiers department – heir to this prestigious history – delight the most demanding Fine Watchmaking connoisseurs, as vividly illustrated in Les Cabinotiers minute repeater tourbillon sky chart.

There is a very elegant contrast in this timepiece. In one side, a beautiful luminous bezel and lugs set with baguette-cut diamonds. In the other side, a deep and pure black dial punctuated by baguette-cut diamonds hour markers and a magnificent central guilloché pattern.

The hidden gem is located in the back of the watch case. An enhanced sky chart appears in the case-back. You will be able to see the night sky above Geneva, the Milky way and constellations of stars that shine brightly as if viewed through a telescope. From a technical perspective, the celestial panorama performs one full spin on its axis in precisely 23 hours and 56 minutes, corresponding to the precision of sidereal time.

To drive the various functions of this extremely technical watch, Vacheron Constantin’s watchmakers chose to develop a new manual-winding movement specifically dedicated to its Les Cabinotiers collection. Endowed with a 58-hour power reserve, it is inspired by the famous Calibre 2755 reserved for the particularly sophisticated models of the Manufacture, notably its exceptionally Grand Complication timepieces.

In conclusion, Vacheron Constantin maintains a certain tradition alive. By caring about heritage, the Swiss watch manufacturer builds the future and pleases the fans of beautiful timepieces around the world. The Cabinotiers were during the enlightenment century a true force of creativity and technical mastery who allowed great steps forward to the Swiss watch making industry. More to come during the SIHH 2019.

Arsène Wargas

Info sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.