The latest Les Cabinotiers creation represents horological excellence at its most ambitious—a unique piece combining three of haute horlogerie's most challenging complications in one stunning timepiece. This isn't just another grand complication; it's a technical masterpiece that transforms mechanical watchmaking into kinetic art. Vacheron Constantin has achieved what few manufactures dare to attempt: housing a minute repeater, a split-seconds chronograph, and a tourbillon regulator within a single movement. The new Calibre 2757 S pushes boundaries with 696 components working in perfect harmony, all visible through a revolutionary open-face sapphire dial.
Vacheron Constantin has steadily refined its mastery of chiming complications over nearly two centuries. The Maison's first grande and petite sonnerie watch from 1827 established its reputation for exceptional acoustic craftsmanship. This legacy continued with remarkable achievements like Reference 4261 from the early 1940s, which housed a complete minute repeater within an extraordinarily thin 3.28 mm calibre, and the tour de force Reference 57260—featuring grande and petite sonneries with Westminster chimes, minute repeater, and alarm among its record-setting 57 complications.
With a 45 mm case in 5N pink gold, this horological tour de force showcases nearly three centuries of watchmaking expertise. The transparent sapphire construction—just 0.5 mm thick—reveals every meticulously finished component, creating an unprecedented view into haute horlogerie craftsmanship.
The split-seconds chronograph operates via dual column wheels for ultimate precision, measuring elapsed time to 1/5th of a second. The single push-piece design at 2 o'clock controls start/stop/reset functions, while the 4 o'clock pusher manages the split-second hand—a technical feat requiring exceptional engineering finesse.
The minute repeater benefits from Vacheron Constantin's innovative flying strike governor, using centripetal forces to regulate the musical sequence with complete mechanical silence. Meanwhile, the tourbillon features a spherical hairspring for enhanced isochronism, housed within a Maltese cross-inspired cage that completes one rotation per minute.
The Movement
The manual wound in-house calibre 2757 S powering the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface packs 696 components into a remarkably slim profile—just 10.4 mm high and 33.3 mm in diameter—demonstrating Vacheron Constantin's commitment to technical excellence without sacrificing elegance.
The movement's split-seconds chronograph plate features an optimized component layout that maximizes efficiency within the constrained space. Advanced materials play a crucial role: titanium and electroformed nickel-phosphorus wheels with Vacheron Constantin's proprietary tooth profile ensure smooth gear penetration and eliminate hand shake. Aluminum chronograph hands provide rigidity while remaining ultra-light and silicon components require no lubrication, reducing friction and energy loss.
These materials innovations contribute to an impressive 50-hour power reserve even with the chronograph running, displayed on the case back. The movement beats at 18,000 vph, delivering precision to 1/5th of a second. Elapsed time appears on the peripheral minute track via dual central seconds hands, complemented by a 30-minute counter at 2 o'clock.
The chronograph employs two column wheels—one for standard chronograph functions and another dedicated to the split-seconds mechanism—ensuring exceptional precision. Operation is intuitive: the pusher at 2 o'clock controls start/stop/reset functions, while the 4 o'clock pusher manages the split-seconds hand. This allows intermediate timing—the split-seconds hand can be stopped to record a lap time while the primary hand continues running, then instantly catches up when released.
The Calibre 2757 S incorporates Vacheron Constantin's advanced minute repeater technology, featuring an innovative flying strike governor that represents a significant technical achievement. This sophisticated mechanism employs two precisely shaped weights that function as an intelligent braking system for the governor's rotating shaft, creating smooth and consistent energy distribution from the repeater's mainspring.
The governor operates through a clever interplay of centrifugal and centripetal forces. As the mechanism spins, centrifugal force causes one end of each weight to pivot outward, while the opposite end applies controlled braking pressure to the central shaft. This dual-action system ensures the strike mechanism maintains a perfectly steady rhythm and tempo.
Operating in complete silence, the governor system provides meticulous control over both the timing and duration of the chiming sequence. This precision engineering ensures each note rings with crystal clarity, entirely free from any mechanical interference or background noise. The specially contoured flyweights create what essentially functions as a "motor brake," using centripetal force to regulate the governor shaft's rotation and deliver perfectly measured energy release from the minute repeater barrel.
Positioned at 6 o'clock, the tourbillon features a spherical hairspring configuration that promotes concentric expansion and contraction, significantly improving chronometric performance. The tourbillon cage takes its design inspiration from the Maltese cross—Vacheron Constantin's iconic emblem—and is secured by a meticulously hand-bevelled bridge. Completing one full rotation every minute, the tourbillon carries a seconds hand on its axis to display running seconds while providing its mesmerizing visual display of mechanical artistry.
Every surface showcases hand-finishing techniques passed down through generations. The movement features contrasting textures—beveled, polished, satin-finished, and circular-grained surfaces creating a mesmerizing light play. The black NAC-coated bridges contrast beautifully with golden moving parts, while the sapphire caseback reveals additional decorative elements including hand-engraved governor initials honoring founder Jean-Marc Vacheron.
Collecting Perspective
For serious collectors, the Temporis Duo represents the pinnacle of grand complication watchmaking. The open-face design marks a revolutionary approach to displaying complex movements, while the 50-hour power reserve ensures practical daily wear despite the chronograph engagement.
This single-watchmaker creation required twice as long for finishing as assembly—a testament to the Maison's commitment to traditional craftsmanship. The 30-minute chronograph counter hand and the two chronograph seconds hands are in PV-coated olive green aluminum that perfectly complements the matching alligator strap, completing this extraordinary horological statement.
This unique piece continues Vacheron Constantin's 270-year legacy of pushing horological boundaries, proving that traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation can create something truly extraordinary.
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