At Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), we are seeing a lot of great new complications, including some superb multi-complications — and, once agin, Vacheron Constantin does not disappoint. One of the most beautiful timepieces — thanks to its audible elegance — is the Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon.
By Roberta Naas At Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), we are seeing a lot of great new complications, including some superb multi-complications -- and, once agin, Vacheron Constantin does not disappoint. One of the most beautiful timepieces -- thanks to its audible elegance -- is the Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon.
Powered by an in-house-made Manufacture movement, the Caliber 2755 TMR, the watch is being offered in 18-karat gold for just under half-a-million dollars ($490,000), and in platinum for more than half-a-mil ($546,000). Like all Vacheron Constantin watches, this one holds the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva certification attesting to the high standards of craftsmanship and precision.
The movement deftly combines tourbillon escapement (which compensates for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity when the watch is in certain positions) with seconds attached to the cage. The escapement is visible via an aperture at 6:00 on the dial and beats at a slow 2.5Hz for a slower, steady rhythm. The tourbillon carriage is shaped in the Vacheron Constantin Maltese cross emblem. The minute repeater portion of the 471-part, hand-wound movement is equally as fantastic. It chimes the hours, quarter hours and minutes past the quarter hours in three tones.
The 44mm watch also displays the hours and minutes, and via a pointer indication on the back of the watch, the 58 hours of power reserve. The sapphire crystal case-back reveals the calibre with 40 jewels and meticulous handcrafted finishes. The dial features a specially created hand-guilloche’ motif that is used solely on “boutique only” watches. The watch will be sold in a “Music of Time” resonance holder that amplifies the sound of the repeater.
