Vacheron Constantin unveils the Les Cabinotiers La Musique du Temps range – its most complicated timepieces yet
These stunning, intricate watches with up to 1,163 parts provide all the astronomical information you could possibly need … and they can also tell the time
In the latest online edition of Watches & Wonders, Vacheron Constantin unveiled a number of novelties that push the limits of watchmaking. The Les Cabinotiers La Musique du Temps is a range of one-of-a-kind complication watches that includes one of the most complicated timepieces the historic maison has ever created.
Within the La Musique du Temps series are three designs: the high complication, one of a kind double-sided split-seconds chronograph Tempo; the astronomically complicated Ode to Music; and the Singing Birds.
Two pieces from this year’s La Musique du Temps series are uniquely complicated timepieces that feature chiming functions. Created in Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers department of high watchmaking, these timepieces represent the very best in watchmaking.
The most complicated timepiece ever created at Vacheron Constantin, the Tempo is a double-sided timepiece that is brought to life by 1,163 parts. A total of 24 complications are displayed across the two dials of the watch. The front of the piece shows readings of the chronograph measurements and the perpetual calendar. The back displays the solar time, equation of time, sunrise and sunset, day and night duration and the age and phase of the moon – all functions dedicated to astronomical measurements.
On top of all of these functions are also a tourbillon regulator and a minute repeater. A rose gold case houses the manual-winding calibre 2756, which has a power reserve of 65 hours.
Christian Selmoni, style and heritage director at Vacheron Constantin, says the challenge of creating a piece like this not only lies in designing a watch that has well over 1,000 components, but also in assembly and aesthetics. “It's about complications, it's also about how can we install all these functions in a tiny space because we have to keep in mind that the timepiece must be wearable and if possible in an elegant, beautiful and refined way.”
The Astronomical Striking Grand Complication – Ode to Music is a minute repeater that houses a range of astronomical functions. A total of 18 complications come together to create this uniquely exceptional timepiece. A total of 600 components are assembled to producing readings of everything from solar and sidereal time to the chiming of the hours, quarters and minutes.