Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grand Complication Split-Seconds Chronograph “Tempo”: When Things Get Really Complicated

As one of the most esteemed names in watchmaking has Vacheron Constantin the ability to create some of the most complicated mechanical watches in the world. Fortunately for us, that is also what they like to do. With the Les Cabinotiers Grand Complication Split-Seconds Chronograph “Tempo” they present us with a watch from which the list of complications  reads as the menu, as there are so many. Next to a tourbillon and a minute repeater, does this Vacheron Constantin also feature a split-second chronograph, perpetual calendar, retrograde moon phase, second timezone, power reserve indicator, equation of time, as well as the sunrise and sunset times. It even tells the duration of the day and night.

To house all the 1.163 parts of the movement, Vacheron Constantin created a case with a diameter of 50mm and a height of 21mm. As one side is not enough to display all the functions, the case is made reversible with a quick-release strap. This does force you to choose which side of the watch that you want to wear, with the advantage that each of them offers a slightly different dynamic. One of the most appealing parts of this watch is, next to all its complications, that the dial on either side is fully symmetrical. It also makes all the complications easy to read, even though there is so much information to take in.

The power reserve of this manual wind watch is still 65-hours. This is quite generous when you consider all the complications that need to be powered and the limited space available to fit a mainspring barrel. Another nice touch is the moon phase display. This is not the traditional kind, with a disc, but a retrograde hand. It contributes to giving the Les Cabinotiers Grand Complication Split-Seconds Chronograph “Tempo” an almost modern appearance, despite the fact that it is created with traditional craftsmanship by one of the oldest brands in watchmaking.