Vacheron Constantin Unveils Traditionnelle Tourbillon Chronograph Limited Edition
The Traditionnelle tourbillon chronograph, a 50-piece limited edition, has been added to Vacheron Constantin’s Collection Excellence Platine. This model marries two prestigious complications with the latest technological advances, paying homage to grand watchmaking traditions with its unique and functional aesthetic. The watch features a 42.5 mm-diameter case, crown, dial, clasp, and strap stitching, all crafted from platinum. Powered by the Calibre 3200, the movement was developed for the brand’s 260th anniversary, incorporating a monopusher chronograph with a tourbillon regulator, optimized for reliability, precision, and user-friendliness. The dial showcases a large tourbillon aperture at 12 o’clock, a 45-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock, and a power-reserve indicator at 6 o’clock. The movement’s intricacies, including its column-wheel adorned with a Maltese cross and peripheral tourbillon drive, can be admired through the sapphire caseback.
A Collector’s Timepiece
Vacheron Constantin has curated some of its most exclusive models within the Collection Excellence Platine, known for its enduring sheen. The Traditionnelle tourbillon chronograph, first unveiled in 2020, joins this collection. This model integrates an in-house movement with tourbillon and chronograph complications, blending grand watchmaking traditions with a functional and elegant aesthetic. It features Dauphine-type hands, a railway-type minutes track, and a stepped case with a fluted caseback. All main elements of the watch, apart from the movement and strap, are crafted from 950 platinum, including the case, crown, finely grained dial, and clasp. The dark blue alligator strap is stitched with braided silk and platinum thread. The tourbillon at 12 o’clock and the 45-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock, along with the 65-hour power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock, are laid out to optimize functionality and readability.
Calibre 3200: An Exceptional In-House Movement
Developed for Vacheron Constantin’s 260th anniversary in 2015, the Calibre 3200 is a remarkable 292-part manual-winding movement, just 6.7 mm thick. It features a tourbillon regulator and a monopusher chronograph, integrated into the movement rather than using a modular construction. Operating at 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz), the regulator showcases the mechanical ballet of the tourbillon. The watchmakers designed a new peripheral drive system for the tourbillon carriage, allowing for an openworked mainplate that offers a spectacular view of the tourbillon. The minutes track bears fifth-of-a-second graduations, with a Base 1000 tachymeter scale on the flange for calculating speed in km/h.
The chronograph function has also seen new developments. Equipped with a column wheel, Vacheron Constantin’s friction-drive lateral clutch system ensures the seconds hand engages smoothly when the chronograph starts. The dynamic “all-or-nothing” activation system prevents the seconds hand from starting with insufficient pressure on the pusher. The precision gears, with a play of no more than 0.03 mm between teeth, and the use of two hammers for resetting the chronograph hands, ensure accuracy.
A Rare and Precious Limited Edition
Limited to 50 pieces, this model is a rare collector’s item. Calibre 3200 is meticulously finished, with every component polished and chamfered. The plate is circular-grained, and the gear teeth are polished to reduce friction. The bridges are adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif, and the tourbillon carriage’s upper bridge is mirror-polished. The 42.5 mm case, just 11.7 mm thick, is paired with a dark blue alligator leather strap. The chronograph functions are displayed by a blued steel seconds hand and an 18K gold minutes hand, with the hours and minutes hands in 18K white gold.
From Geometry to Artistry: Vacheron Constantin’s Annual Theme
Vacheron Constantin watches are more than the sum of their parts. Each timepiece starts from a sketch, blending shapes, colors, and textures. The Traditionnelle collection, Patrimony watches, Égérie, and Overseas lines illustrate this fusion of artistry and geometry. The 2024 theme of Vacheron Constantin emphasizes this blend of mechanical complexity and aesthetic elegance, showcasing the brand’s commitment to artistic and technical excellence.
For more information, please visit Vacheron-Constantin.com.