Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater ultra-thin – The dance of gemstones: The unique Les Cabinotiers ultra-thin minute repeater models, featuring 41 and 39 mm diameters, beat to the rhythm set by the 1731 calibre, an ultra-thin movement with meticulously developed acoustics. Their pure, refined style is accentuated by Grand Feu enamel dials adorned with precious stone hour-markers. The small model is also graced with a row of brilliant-cut diamonds on its lugs and bezel.
- “La Musique du Temps®”: an assortment of one-of-a-kind creations crafted within the Les Cabinotiers department as a tribute to the musical arts.
- As partners of the Maison, Abbey Road Studios have recorded an original sonic print delivered as a unique certificate for each of these models.
The history of the 1731 calibre
The main characteristic of the 1731 calibre (thus named in a nod to Jean-Marc Vacheron’s birth year) is its extreme thinness for a minute repeater movement. At just 3.90 mm, it is only slightly thicker than its predecessor – the 1755 calibre dating from 1992 – because of its impressive 65-hour power reserve. It took four years to solve this most complex equation: to create a minute repeater movement, combining slimness, a pure sound, pleasing aesthetics, reliability and robustness. Moreover, the technical feats are not confined to the challenge of extreme thinness, since the 1731 calibre is equipped with one of the most ingenious devices developed in 2007 for the 2755 movement – another member of this exclusive family of minute repeater calibres – a flying strike governor that is entirely silent, unlike conventional lever-type governors, and is tasked with regulating the rate at which hammers strike the gongs.
Acoustics, the real raison d’être of a minute repeater, was the focus of attention. To ensure the sound is crystal clear and perfectly harmonious, several different technical choices had to be made. The gongs are thus not only connected to the case middle so as to amplify the sound, but also superimposed, rather than aligned side by side. The two pink gold cases are designed to form a single entity with the movement, in a composition that incorporates such subtle parameters as the circulation of air between the mechanism and the case in order to ensure optimal note propagation. The case has also been seamlessly constructed so that the elements can interact metal to metal and thus increase the amplitude of the sound.
A pair of aesthetes
Both Cabinotiers Minute repeater ultra-thin – The dance of stones models are presented in 18K 5N pink gold cases, respectively measuring 41 mm and 39 mm in diameter. The latter is the first ladies’ minute repeater model offered by the Maison in this size. Its bezel is adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds, which also sparkle on the lugs, as well as on the crown set with a cabochon. Both versions feature a Grand Feu enamel dial, one of the most demanding enamelling techniques, whose eggshell white colour makes a perfect match with the classicism of the models. The 18-carat gold dauphine-type hands complete this aesthetic harmony, punctuated by hour-markers in ruby.
Les Cabinotiers: one-of-a-kind creations
In the Vacheron Constantin universe, Les Cabinotiers represents a department in its own right dedicated to the personalisation of pieces and unique creations. This tradition dates back to the 18th century, a time when master watchmakers were called cabinotiers and worked in ateliers bathed in natural light, known as cabinets and located on the top floors of Geneva’s buildings. In the hands of these learned artisans, open to the new ideas of the Enlightenment, exceptional timepieces were born, inspired by astronomy, mechanical engineering and the arts. This expertise, which constitutes the great Geneva watchmaking tradition, has been flowing through Vacheron Constantin’s veins since 1755.
Vacheron Constantin and chiming watches
Chiming watches occupy a special place among horological complications. For more than two centuries, these complex mechanisms have been highlighted by Vacheron Constantin. Today, Les Cabinotiers department has chosen to pay tribute to them through one-of-a-kind creations on the theme “La Musique du temps®”.
Born from the need to tell the time in the dark in an age when people had to rely on candlelight, “audible” watches have taken various forms: repeaters (indicating the hours and sometimes the quarters and minutes on request), sonnerie (striking) watches (indicating the hours and quarters in passing) and alarms (which can be programmed to ring at specific times). While each of these complications has its own distinctive characteristics, they all combine an integrated and complex mechanism with the finely crafted nature of musical instruments in terms of their resonance, acoustics and harmonics. Featuring watch cases equipped with complex movements as their only means of musical expression, these creations represent a magnificent feat of miniaturisation.
At Vacheron Constantin, the first mention of a chiming watch dates back to 1806: a gold pocket watch with minute repeater registered by the founder’s grandson Jacques-Barthélemy, in the very first production register kept in the company’s archives. Ever since, sonnerie or repeater watches have been an integral part of the Manufacture’s proud heritage, steadily enriched over the decades.
A sonic print certified by Abbey Road Studios
Sound and music have always played a role in the Maison’s partnerships, the latest of which is with Abbey Road Studios, a name closely associated with iconic artists such as The Beatles, Adele and Oasis. In collaboration with the studios, Vacheron Constantin launched its Fiftysix® collection, backed by the “One of not Many” campaign. The partnership also has a role to play for “La Musique du Temps®”, as Vacheron Constantin entrusts Abbey Road Studios with recording the unique sound of each model.
“Above and beyond extremely similar values, Abbey Road Studios and Vacheron Constantin work closely together on creative collaborations involving both content creation and sharing expertise. Entrusting the production of the sound prints of our pieces to an internationally recognised expert in the recording world is an integral part of our collaborative endeavours,” explains Laurent Perves, CMO Vacheron Constantin. For the first time, the repeater watches from the “La Musique du Temps®” range have a unique sound imprint, recorded and certified by Abbey Road Studios. “The opportunity to capture the sonic identity of these incredible timepieces is a privilege,” explains Jeremy Huffelmann, Head of Partnerships at Abbey Road Studios. “These recordings perfectly encapsulate the shared values of craftsmanship, expertise and excellence that define our collaboration, whilst forever preserving the personality of these singular timepieces.
Sum-up
These two unique pieces, which are characterised in particular by ruby hour-markers, are equipped with the ultra-thin 1731 minute repeater calibre measuring just 3.90 mm thick. It took four years to solve this complex equation of creating a striking movement combining slimness, a pure sound, pleasing aesthetics, reliability and precision. Various technical choices were made to ensure a clear and harmonious sound. The cases are designed to form a single entity with the movement, in a composition that incorporates such subtle parameters as the circulation of air between the mechanism and the case in order to ensure optimal note propagation. Both Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater ultra-thin – The dance of stones models are presented in 18K 5N pink gold cases, respectively measuring 41 mm and 39 mm in diameter. The latter is the first ladies’ minute repeater watch offered by the Maison in this size. Its bezel is adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds, which also sparkle on the lugs and the crown set with a cabochon.
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater ultra-thin – The dance of gemstones Technical Specifications
Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater ultra-thin – The dance of gemstones Reference 6630C/000R-B662
Calibre
- 1731
- Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin mechanical manual-winding
- 32.80 mm (14 ¼) diameter, 3.90 mm thick
- Movement power reserve: approximately 65 hours
- 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
- 265 components
- 36 jewels
- Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Indications
- Hours, minutes
- Minute repeater (hours, quarters and minutes on request)
Case
- 18K 5N pink gold
- 41 mm diameter, 8.52 mm thick
- Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Dial
- 18K gold, eggshell white Grand Feu enamel
- 12 applied hours-markers in rubies totalling 0.42 carats
Strap
- Red Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales
Clasp
- 18K 5N pink gold buckle
- Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Presentation box & accessory
- Les Cabinotiers model
- Abbey Road Studios Certificate
- Unique timepiece
- “Pièce unique” and “Les Cabinotiers” engraved on the back of the timepiece
Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater ultra-thin – The dance of gemstones Reference 6605C/000R-B661
Calibre
- 1731
- Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin mechanical manual-winding
- 32.80 mm (14 ¼) diameter, 3.90 mm thick
- Movement power reserve: approximately 65 hours
- 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
- 265 components
- 36 jewels
- Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Indications
- Hours, minutes,
- Minute repeater (hours, quarters and minutes on request)
Case
- 18K 5N pink gold
- 39 mm diameter, 8.53 mm thick
- Bezel set with 102 round-cut diamonds for a total weight of 1.90 carats
- Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Dial
- 18K gold, eggshell white Grand Feu enamel
- 12 applied hours-markers in sapphires for a total weight of 0.42 carats
Strap
- Red Mississippiensis alligator leather, large square scales
Clasp
- 18K 5N pink gold buckle
- Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Presentation box & accessory
- Les Cabinotiers model
- Abbey Road Studios Certificate
- Unique timepiece
- “Pièce unique” and “Les Cabinotiers” engraved on the back of the timepiece
