LES CABINOTIERS ARMILLARY TOURBILLON – MYTH OF THE PLEIADES

The Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon – Myth of the Pleiades is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece by Vacheron Constantin, crafted in 18K rose gold with intricately engraved case sides adorned with diamonds and sculpted in bas-relief. This exceptional timepiece pays tribute to the Greek myth of the Pleiades, blending horological innovation with artistic excellence. At its heart lies the Calibre 1990, a highly complex manufacture movement protected by four patents, featuring a bi-axial tourbillon and bi-retrograde hour and minute displays.

Unveiled as part of the ‘La Quête’ series celebrating Vacheron Constantin’s 270th anniversary, this watch embodies the brand’s dedication to technical mastery and artistic craftsmanship. The series draws inspiration from astronomy and ancient voyages, with the Myth of the Pleiades model referencing the legendary Seven Sisters—transformed into stars in the constellation of Taurus. These celestial themes are brought to life through meticulous hand-engraving, symbolizing the watchmaker’s homage to the cosmos and the myths that have guided humanity for millennia.

The story of the Pleiades, daughters of Atlas and Pleione, reflects humanity’s enduring fascination with the stars. Pursued by Orion and ultimately immortalized by Zeus as a constellation, the Pleiades became vital navigational markers for ancient sailors. Their mythological and astronomical significance, recorded as early as 1600 BC on the Nebra sky disc and in Homer’s epics, underscores mankind’s timeless quest to understand and measure space-time. This spirit of discovery resonates deeply in the design and philosophy behind the Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon – a tribute not only to horology but to the celestial wonders that have inspired explorers and astronomers throughout history.

LES CABINOTIERS COSMICA DUO – GRAND COMPLICATION

The Cosmica Duo – Grand Complication is a singular masterpiece from Vacheron Constantin, distinguished by its double-sided, reversible design and 24 complications, with a strong emphasis on astronomical functions. This one-of-a-kind timepiece features two distinct dials: one offers a celestial journey through a sidereal sky chart and perpetual calendar, while the other reveals the mechanical intricacies of the Calibre 2756-B1, including true solar time, moon phases, and the equation of time. Developed over four years, this calibre builds on the 2020 Calibre 2756 and integrates a minute repeater and tourbillon regulator, showcasing both horological innovation and poetic craftsmanship.

The watch’s reversible white gold case, measuring 47 mm in diameter and 20.20 mm in height, is engineered for ergonomic comfort and seamless functionality. Articulated lugs and a reversible strap allow the wearer to switch between mean civil time and true solar time effortlessly. A push-button in the crown adjusts the second time zone, while a selector locks the sky chart for precise setting. The minute repeater lever is centrally placed to maintain symmetry, regardless of which dial is displayed. This thoughtful design ensures both aesthetic harmony and practical usability, making the Cosmica Duo a marvel of wearable engineering.

Beyond its technical prowess, the watch is a visual and acoustic symphony. The ultramarine blue dial features a finely crafted sky chart under a sapphire crystal, with mother-of-pearl inserts and white gold markers. The reverse side exposes the skeletonised movement, adorned with champagne-toned components, Côtes de Genève, and mirror-polished gears. Five domed moons in 18K gold enhance the retrograde moon phase display, while the minute repeater produces harmonious chimes regulated by a silent, centripetal-force mechanism. Together, these elements reflect Vacheron Constantin’s dedication to precision, artistry, and the timeless allure of astronomical exploration.

LES CABINOTIERS GRAND COMPLICATION HIGH JEWELLERY – MOON DUST 

The Les Cabinotiers Grande Complication High Jewellery – Moon Dust is a poetic and technically masterful timepiece by Vacheron Constantin, crafted in 18K white gold and adorned with hand-engraved guilloché and diamonds. It features the Calibre 2755 GC16, a hand-wound manufacture movement that integrates 16 astronomical and calendar complications, regulated by a tourbillon and complemented by a minute repeater. This watch celebrates the journey from Earth to the Moon, blending horological artistry with celestial inspiration through intricate representations of the solar system engraved on both sides of the case.

Paying homage to the legacy of great astronomers, the Moon Dust watch reflects humanity’s enduring fascination with the cosmos. Its complications include a perpetual calendar, equation of time, sunrise and sunset indicators, and sidereal time, all displayed with remarkable clarity. The tourbillon, housed in a Maltese cross-shaped cage, compensates for gravitational effects, while the minute repeater produces harmonious chimes regulated by a silent, centripetal-force mechanism. These features echo the scientific advancements of early observatories and cosmological models, honoring figures from Copernicus to modern-day stargazers.

On the reverse side, the watch reveals a rotating disc engraved with constellations, marking sidereal time and lunar phases with precision. The dial displays solstices, equinoxes, zodiac signs, and seasonal changes across concentric circles, while the moon’s age is tracked by a central hand. Comprising 839 components, the Calibre 2755 GC16 measures 33.90 mm in diameter and 12.15 mm thick, housed in a 47 mm white gold case designed for optimal acoustics. Operating at 18,000 vibrations per hour with a 58-hour power reserve, this grand complication offers a harmonious fusion of astronomical storytelling and mechanical excellence.

LES CABINOTIERS CELESTIA ASTRONOMICAL GRAND COMPLICATION HOMAGE TO PTOLEMY / COPERNICUS

Vacheron Constantin’s Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication – Homage to Ptolemy and Homage to Copernicus – are two singular timepieces that pay tribute to the foundational astronomical theories of geocentrism and heliocentrism. Each watch is powered by the Calibre 3600, a double-sided manufacture movement developed over five years and composed of 514 meticulously finished components. With 23 astronomical complications housed in a case just 8.7 mm thick, this calibre is a marvel of miniaturization and horological engineering, first introduced in the 2017 Les Cabinotiers Celestia watch.

The watches reflect two distinct visions of the cosmos: Ptolemy’s Earth-centered universe and Copernicus’ Sun-centered model. These philosophies are engraved on the cases, with planetary movements illustrated according to each system. The front dial presents civil, solar, and equation of time readings, while the reverse side displays sidereal time via a celestial map formed by two sapphire discs. The mobile lower disc rotates four minutes faster than civil time, marking the sidereal day of 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds. A blue ellipse highlights constellations visible in real time, framed by the celestial equator and ecliptic paths.

Beyond timekeeping, the watches offer a rich suite of astronomical complications. The front dial includes a perpetual calendar, precision moon phase, sunrise and sunset indicators, and a tide gauge that visualizes the Earth-Moon-Sun alignment. A rotating annual disc shows zodiac signs, seasons, and solstices. The tourbillon, placed on the reverse side to preserve dial space, enhances precision by counteracting gravitational effects. It is held by asymmetrical bars and shaped as a Maltese cross, the emblem of Vacheron Constantin, while a peripheral power reserve indicator ensures a three-week autonomy powered by six barrels.

Artistic craftsmanship is central to these creations, with each case featuring champlevé engraving that took 240 hours to complete. The Ptolemaic model depicts planetary ellipses orbiting Earth, extending seamlessly across the lugs and bezel. The Copernican version radiates from the Sun-engraved crown, with planetary arcs requiring custom tools to achieve perfect curvature on the case’s surface. Both designs use domed, polished planets set against a textured background, showcasing the mastery of Vacheron Constantin’s métiers d’art workshop and elevating these watches into celestial works of art.

FOUR UNIQUE LES CABINOTIERS HOMAGE TO EPIC WARRIORS MINUTE REPEATERs

The Homage to Epic Warriors Minute Repeater – Alexander the Great celebrates the legendary Macedonian king whose conquests reshaped the ancient world. Known for his strategic brilliance and charismatic leadership, Alexander is depicted riding his horse Bucephalus in vivid enamel on an 18K 2N yellow gold dial. The background, engraved with spear motifs using the taille-douce technique, evokes the might of his army. The 18K white gold case and buckle are adorned with Macedonian-inspired notches, reinforcing the warrior’s legacy. Powered by the ultra-thin Calibre 1731 minute repeater, the watch’s chimes echo the triumphs of this visionary conqueror.

The Homage to Epic Warriors Minute Repeater – Antar pays tribute to the famed warrior-poet of pre-Islamic Arabia, Antarah ibn Shaddad. Born into slavery, Antar earned his freedom through valor and poetic brilliance. The dial captures his iconic battle with a lion, painted in enamel with striking detail against a desert landscape engraved in gold. Arabesque patterns embellish the 18K white gold case and buckle, reflecting the cultural richness of his heritage. This timepiece honors Antar’s dual legacy of martial prowess and literary genius, with the Calibre 1731 movement delivering harmonious chimes that resonate with his heroic spirit.

The Homage to Epic Warriors Minute Repeater – Genghis Khan honors the formidable Mongol leader who forged one of history’s largest empires. The dial portrays Genghis Khan charging into battle, falcon on arm, amid engraved steppes and mountains that evoke the vastness of his domain. Painted in vibrant enamel, the scene conveys motion and power, enhanced by dust clouds from galloping hooves. Traditional Mongolian motifs are engraved on the 18K 3N yellow gold case and buckle, capturing the essence of nomadic strength. The Calibre 1731 minute repeater movement within this watch transforms time into a tribute to Genghis Khan’s enduring legacy.

The Homage to Epic Warriors Minute Repeater – Sasaki Moritsuna celebrates the samurai commander who played a pivotal role in medieval Japan’s military history. The dial illustrates Moritsuna’s dramatic charge across the sea during the Battle of Fujito, with waves engraved in gold and the warrior poised with his katana. The enamel painting brings the scene to life with vivid color and precision. Japanese-style wave motifs decorate the 18K 3N yellow gold case and buckle, echoing the Inland Sea’s dynamic beauty. This watch, powered by the Calibre 1731, merges martial valor with artistic refinement, honoring the samurai’s disciplined legacy.

LES CABINOTIERS THE LABOURS OF HERACLES

The Les Cabinotiers Labours of Heracles watches by Vacheron Constantin pay tribute to the legendary Greco-Roman hero through miniature masterpieces that depict four of his twelve mythic tasks. Each watch features a two-level dial crafted from 18K white gold, combining grand feu enamel, miniature painting, and micro-sculpture to evoke the drama and artistry of Heracles’ epic journey. Housed in a 40mm white gold case, these timepieces are powered by Calibre 1120 AT, a self-winding movement that uses a wandering hours display to indicate minutes along a fixed arc—an inventive mechanism driven by a patented Maltese cross-shaped system.

The Nemean Lion edition captures Heracles’ first Labour, where he defeats a beast with impenetrable skin. Unable to pierce its hide with arrows, Heracles wrestles the lion to death and fashions its skin into a protective cloak. The dial features a micro-sculpture of Heracles in combat, set against a vivid enamel-painted landscape. The lower dial plate includes a hand-engraved map of Greece, with a cabochon marking the lion’s location. A dark blue alligator strap complements the rich tones of the enamel, reinforcing the heroic theme.

In the Lernaean Hydra watch, Heracles confronts a multi-headed serpent created by Hera to destroy him. Each severed head regenerates until Heracles, aided by his nephew Iolaus, cauterizes the wounds and buries the immortal head beneath a rock. The dial’s enamel painting depicts the swampy terrain of Lerna, while the sculpted figure of Heracles embodies strength and determination. A blue alligator strap enhances the aquatic palette, and the map engraving pinpoints the site of this perilous battle.

The Stymphalian Birds and Cretan Bull editions continue the saga. In the former, Heracles uses a bronze rattle gifted by Athena to flush out deadly birds with metallic feathers and bronze beaks, shooting them down with poisoned arrows. The dial’s green strap and marshland imagery evoke the setting of Lake Stymphalia. In the latter, Heracles subdues the raging Cretan Bull, sent by Poseidon and feared even by King Eurystheus. The enamel scene shows Heracles wrestling the beast, framed by a brown strap and engraved map detailing Crete. Each watch is a fusion of myth, artistry, and horological innovation, immortalizing Heracles’ trials in wearable form.