On the occasion of the Watches and Wonders exhibition, Vacheron Constantin once again demonstrates its surpassing technical expertise by presenting the extremely complex Grand Complication wristwatch, the Maître Cabinotier Astronomica, endowed with no less than 15 different complications.
Due to its incredible complexity, the Vacheron Constantin Maître Cabinotier Astronomica is produced as a one-of-a-kind model. It unites 15 of the most demanding complications of fine watchmaking, while putting the special emphasis on the class of astronomical functions. In addition, this rare creation is the Maison’s first piece in a new and highly exclusive range of artistic-type, unique models crafted in the spirit of Swiss 18th century cabinotiers (workmen employed by a cabinet, a small workshop in eighteenth and nineteenth-century Geneva).
The exceptional new Vacheron Constantin Maître Cabinotier Astronomica is made of 18-karat white gold and housed within a 47 mm-diameter. The case holds a manual winding movement Caliber 2755-B1, which holds an impressive record in miniaturization. Even though it propels no less than 15 different complications, this in-house movement measures 33.9 mm (14’’’ ¾) in diameter, and it is only 12.15 mm thick. This, finally, leads us to the overall thickness of the watch, which sums up to 19.1 mm, thus placing the Maître Cabinotier Astronomica in the range of thick watches. However, this is more than acceptable as long as keep in mind that this model is actually a specialized instrument that unites multiple complications within an exceptionally small space.
The mechanical movement Calibre 2755-B1 is made of 839 individual components, while its numerous functions are indicated on both the dial side and the back of the case. It beats at 18,000 vibrations/hour and provides around 58 hours of power reserve. Besides the hours and minutes, on front of the watch are displayed two major haute horlogerie complications - the minute repeater and tourbillon – and nine astronomical complications: equation of time, perpetual calendar, date, day of the week, month, leap years, power reserve, and sunrise and sunset times.
The minute repeater is fitted with a centripetal flying strike governor, which normalizes the duration of the musical sequence and ensures that the chimed notes are melodious and audible. The tourbillon appears at the 6 o’clock position, in a traditional Vacheron carriage shaped like a Maltese cross. The tourbillon, which also serves as a small seconds indicator, completes one full revolution per minute.
The displays of the perpetual calendar are harmoniously arranged around the dial: the day of the week is located at 9 o’clock, the month appears at 12 o’clock and the date at 3 o’clock, while the leap-year indicator is sits at 1 o’clock.
The short hand, located at 10.30, is for the romantic complication known as the equation of time, which determines the difference between solar time and standard legal time. The passage of time based on the Sun's position in the sky is, for practical reasons, divided into 365.25 days, each day into 24 hours and each hour into 60 minutes. The equation of time describes the inconsistency between two kinds of time, which varies daily within the -16 to +16 minute range.
The sunrise and sunset times are provided via customized complication, which requires from Vacheron Constantin’s client to choose a city for which he wishes to have this information. The sunrise times are indicated at 8 o’clock, while the information about sunset appears at 4 o’clock.
The reverse side of the watch reveals four complication and their seven astronomical functins: a sky chart, the solstice, the equinox, sidereal time, the age and phases of the moon, the seasons, and the zodiac signs. The back dial is made of two layers – the central disc reveals a sky chart of the northern hemisphere and its four cardinal points, while the dial offers a selection of very interesting astronomical functions. The apertures on the central disc, on South and North, deliver information about the months of the year and sidereal time, while a small hand floating around the edge of the dial shows phases of the moon. The second dial informs its wearer about the date, the zodiac sign, the season, and finally the equinox or the solstice, ither of the two times a year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator, and when daytime and night are of approximately equal duration.
Hallmark of Geneva.
Vacheron Constantin Maître Cabinotier Astronomica is referenced as 80174/000G-9995. The watch bears the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva and it arrives in a prestige winder box made of Makassar wood. The watch is delivered together with a corrector pen, a magnifying glass and a resonator of sound « La Musique du Temps .»
Author: Marina Milojevic Pinterest
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