Vacheron Constantin launched this spring a superb example of Haute Horlogerie watchmaking in its Traditionnelle Collection. To make everything more interesting, a diamond setting was used to highlight the case. The watch stages a gorgeous tourbillon, visible in a mother-of-pearl with diamonds theatre, for the relish of the viewer. Aaaaand, it is a ladies wristwatch – the very first self-winding tourbillon dedicated to the feminine clientele – Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon.
I continue today my list of Christmas wishes with a delightful ladies watch that was created for the discerned lady connoisseur. Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon it is not just a pretty face enlighted by precious rocks, it is an exceptional beauty that hides behind diamonds to reveal its true value by looking at the sought complication and on the back, at the movement. Let’s start with the hands-on video.
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon
The Traditionnelle Tourbillon is the first ladies watch by Vacheron Constantin to feature a tourbillon automatic movement. Using a thin movement, the brand managed to build a watch with relatively small dimensions.
Precious, delicate, exquisite
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon comes in a beautiful 39mm 18K 5N pink gold case. The case band, the lugs and the bezel were superbly set with 208 round-cut diamonds.
The setting is highlighted by surrounding polished surfaces. As a particular detail, the caseback features a fluted edge – a detail that goes well with the setting pattern.
The most spectacular exterior detail is given by the crown and its brilliant-cut diamond. It is not unusual to see various cabochons or diamonds set in the crown, but this stone pointing to the wrist increase exponentially the appeal of the watch.
The rose gold folding clasp features the prominent half Maltese cross, also nicely paved with 36 round-cut diamonds. One can observe in the background the beauty of the fluted details of the caseback.
Mother of pearl and precious details
Traditionnelle Tourbillon was gifted with a white mother-of-pearl dial enriched with gold baton indexes. An outer track serves for the precise reading of the minutes. The top of the dial presents the logo of la Maison du connaisseurs – the Maltese cross manufactured in gold and hand-applied. Below this detail was printed the name and the historical location of the brand.
The lower side of the dial displays in a dramatic precious 46 round-cut diamond-setting the real value of this watch – the tourbillon. We find here familiar details: the Maltese cross skeletonised carriage, the V✠C stamped on the carriage gear, the black screw and arrow for seconds indication and noteworthy finishes.
The time is shown by gold hands with matt and polished faceted hands. The entire look transpires finesse, attention to details and unquestionable femininity. More details can be observed on the pictures in the gallery at the end of the article.
Peripheral rotor and discrete, rounded architecture
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon is powered by the brand’s in-house developed and manufactured Calibre 2160. This movement is a young star of the Maison, being released in 2018. Calibre 2160 provides, besides some impressive numbers, an exceptional set of decoration irreproachable executed.
We talk here about an impeccable Côtes de Genève finishing surrounded by a rounded and polished beveling, done by hand. Only the tourbillon’s Maltese cross requires itself 11 hours of hand-beveling. The gilded engravings accompany the sandblasted 22 carats gold peripheral rotor.
The 5.65 mm thick movement packs an impressive 80 hours power reserve depleted by the relative slow 2.5 Hz oscillator. The video at the beginning of the article features a fast motion of the tourbillon.
Vacheron Constantin acknowledge once again the strong feminine collector’s community
The Genevan brand has always had a strong community of lady collectors. As perfect examples stay the Tokyo exhibition of feminine creations. Even if intended for ladies, I find this watch extremely attractive. The nice balanced look with a delicate setting that does not load excessively its presence, the eye-candy tourbillon, the gorgeous finishes make me want it. I would not change a thing. I even love the satin strap. I regret that I did not wristed it for a bit, at least as long as needed for a wrist shot. But it is the time to take my eyes of it and let the ladies enjoy it to the full.
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon Technical Specifications and Price
Reference
Calibre
- 2160/1
- Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
- Mechanical, self-winding
- Peripheral rotor
- 31 mm (13½’’’) diameter, 5.65 mm thick
- Approximately 80 hours of power reserve
- 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour)
- 188 components
- 30 jewels
- Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Indications
- Hours, minutes, small seconds on tourbillon carriage
- Tourbillon
Case
- 18K 5N pink gold case set with 208 round-cut diamonds on sides, lugs and bezel
- 39 mm diameter 11.22 mm thick
- Crown set with a brilliant-cut diamond
- Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
- Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial
- Mother-of-pearl
- 18K 5N pink gold tourbillon sub-dial set with 46 round-cut diamonds
- 18K 5N pink gold applied hour-markers and hours & minutes handsBlack screw on tourbillon carriage for seconds indication
Straps
- Grey satin with calf inner shell
- Delivered with an additional grey Mississippiensis alligator leather strap, saddle-finish, large square scales
Clasp
- 18K 5N pink gold folding clasp set with 36 round-cut diamonds
Total diamonds: 291 ~3.57 ct
World price:
- 130’000 € / 142’000 USD
- 161,000€ RSP in Germany
