By Jovan Krstevski
Vacheron Constantin has once again turned to its secretive horological sanctum, Les Cabinotiers, to conjure up a one-off creation that’s as elaborate as its name is long: the Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface. It carries a trifecta of mechanical theatrics that includes a tourbillon, split-seconds chronograph and minute repeater.
Wrapped in a polished 18k pink gold case, it measures a hefty 45mm x 16.4mm. A pusher at 2 o’clock handles the chrono’s start, stop and reset duties. The 4 o’clock pusher wrangles the split-seconds function. Over on the left flank, a slider controls the minute repeater. With sapphire crystals front and back, it’s a windowed vault for the complex machine ticking within.
The dial features sapphire crystal counters and gold rings suspended above the movement. Hours and minutes are off-centre at 9 o’clock, with a 30 minute chronograph at 2 and a tourbillon with small seconds at 6. A green minutes track wraps the edge, matching the green hands and strap.
Inside ticks the manual wound Calibre 2757 S, built from 696 components and 61 jewels. It runs at 18,000vph with a 58 hour reserve, using titanium, silicon and aluminium to reduce weight and friction. The movement features bevels, engravings, frosted and sandblasted finishes, a black NAC coating, polished screws and Jean-Marc Vacheron’s initials on the striking governor.
Tying it all together is a green hand stitched alligator leather strap and an 18k pink gold folding clasp shaped like a half Maltese cross. Price remains undisclosed, as expected from this one off ultra complicated wonder.
