By Jovan Krstevski
Here comes the new Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky Chart, the second unique piece unveiled by the Geneva-based brand for its showcase of SIHH 2019. The Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky chart is definitely impressive in all honesty. It combines three major complications namely the tourbillon, minute repeater and sky chart. It is also bathed in luxury as the watch gets a white gold case set with 112 baguette-cut diamonds, yes you read it right, this VC grande complication is indeed a very fine watch on paper.
The 45 mm 18k white gold case looks large and feels large but for good reason. The black guilloché dial also achieves a bridge between sophistication and the tool-ish aspect of the watch. The design is undoubtedly classic, hinted by the classic setting of diamonds. Now if you are fine with diamonds adorning your bezel, well, you are going to love this one, sadly not all of us would be happy with this bling. Anyways, the execution of the baguette-cut diamonds that have been invisibly-set in the bezel and lugs (a total of 5.80 carats of diamonds) is really top notch. Also, we can see that the hour markers are baguette-cut diamonds too. I told you right from the start that this grande complication is indeed bathed in luxury.
Speaking of power supply, the 413 part movement, the calibre 2755 beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour and outputs 58 hours of power reserve. It is regulated by a one-minute tourbillon with an integrated minute repeater. Behind the case back is a nice window to the stars, basically, it features a representation of the night sky above Geneva in very fine details. To me I would glance at the behind of this watch for like eternity, it is that cool.
Moreover, the Milky Way, constellations and stars perform one full rotation in 23 hours and 56 minutes, corresponding to the sidereal time. There is also an ellipse on the sapphire crystal that displays the part of the night sky that you can see immediately. I noticed that the concave shape of the dial offers a feeling of depth. Normally concave dials offer illusion in such amazing details when done right and it is very true for this watch. As a result, the sky chart looks so alive and it is complemented by indications of sidereal time, months and cardinal points.
The aesthetics of the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky Chart is methodical for a fine grande complication, therefore, it should be properly worn with a black, hand-stitched alligator strap with a Maltese cross-shaped folding buckle. Finally, the watch bears the Hallmark of Geneva and its price is available upon request from interested buyers. It also comes with a luxury box made of ebony wood with a corrector pen as an accessory. Do note that this is a one-of-a-kind creation from Vacheron Constantin. Visit Vacheron Constantin here.
