Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon

Quick specs Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon Price: $ 490,900 | approx. € 450.000 | approx. £ 381,000 (rose gold) $ 546,600 | approx. € 500.000 | approx. £ 425,000 (platinum) Size: 44 mm Reference: 6500T/000P-9949 (platinum / silver) 6500T/000P-B100 (platinum / grey) 6500T/000R-B324 (gold / silver)

The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon is the kick-off of the anticipation that proceeds the SIHH watch industry trade show. Taking place in January 2017 already months prior to the show watchmakers start releasing their new models.

The Traditionelle Tourbillon Minute Repeater is a sparer take on an existing timepiece in the Traditionnelle collection: the Traditionnelle Caliber 2755. A timepiece with a minute repeater and tourbillon with perpetual calendar. With the new watch the perpetual calendar is left out, but as the Traditionnelle Caliber 2755 is a cadrature (under-the-dial works) the watches still looks identical from the back. However, they do differ in size. The case of the Tourbillon Minute Repeater measures 44 millimeters and is 12,20 millimeters thick. The perpetual measures 44 millimeters and is 13,54 millimeters thick.

The caliber 2755 TMR from the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon

Its hand-wound movement – caliber 2755 TMR – is developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin and bears the Hallmark of Geneva. It is composed of 471 components and 40 jewels. It runs at 2.5 Hertz (18,000 vibrations per hour) throughout a power reserve of 58 hours. A speed characteristic of traditional watchmaking. The movement measures 33,9 millimeters wide and is 6,1 millimeters thick.

The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon combines to major complications

The caliber 2755 TMR movement combines two major horological complications: the minute repeater and the tourbillon. The tourbillon serves to compensate for the effects of gravity and thereby enhances the precision of the watch. And with the minute repeater the mechanism chimes the hours, quarters and minutes. On demand and at a press on a single pusher, the gongs of the mechanism tell you the time.

To celebrate this prestigious complication Vacheron Constantin delivers its timepiece with a resonance holder “La Musique du Temps”. This box serves to amplify the sound and the harmony of the notes struck by the minute repeater.

The dial is graved with a refined hand-guilloché motif. It is available in either dark grey or silver on the platinum models or silver-toned for the 18k rose gold version. The trademark Vacheron Constantin hands as well as the hour markers come in 18k white or rose gold. The dial lay-out is a typical Vacheron Constantin one. With the indices and minute track all moved slightly upwards from the centre horizontal axis of the dial. This visually makes the round case appear to be slightly taller and maybe even thinner than it actually is.

Fashioned in the shape of Vacheron Constantin’s Maltese cross emblem, the tourbillon carriage features a hand-polished bar. Mind you that the bar in itself requires around 11 hours of workmanship. The sapphire crystal case back reveals the governor, the two mirror-polished hammers, and of course, the gongs. Most of the minute repeater’s snails and cams are located on the dial side of the movement. The time piece is fitted with a blue/black or brown alligator leather strap and secured with a platinum or rose gold folding clasp.

The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater is available exclusively from Vacheron Constantin boutiques.