The Traditionnelle tourbillon watch is a new milestone in the history of the Maison, since its 41 mm-diameter case in 18K 5N pink gold houses the first self-winding movement developed by Vacheron Constantin. In addition to the elegance of its openworked carriage shaped like a Maltese cross, the emblem of the Manufacture, Caliber 2160 is distinguished by its slimness: this ultra-thin 188-part movement endowed with an approximately 80-hour power reserve measures just 5.65 mm thick. Its relatively sedate frequency (2.5 Hz), along with its 22K gold peripheral oscillating weight, provide a chance to admire the steady beating of its mechanism and the exceptional level of traditional finishing visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. The bar of the tourbillon carriage is entirely hand-bevelled, a craftsmanship operation that takes almost 12 hours for this component alone.
The new Traditionnelle tourbillon timepiece displays the hours and minutes with central hands, while the small seconds appear at 6 o’clock on the tourbillon, framed by an opaline silver-toned dial graced with gold hour-markers and bi-facetted Dauphine-type hands. The timepiece is fitted with a hand-stitched, brown Mississippiensis alligator leather strap with alligator inner shell and 18K 5N pink gold folding clasp.
Vacheron Constantin has chosen to highlight the Traditionnelle Tourbillon by creating an exclusive Collection Excellence Platine edition. Through this concept launched in 2006, the Maison offers collectors exceptional watches, ranging from the simplest to the most complicated and issued in limited editions. The aesthetic signature of this prestigious range is the 950 platinum attiring the case, the sand-blasted dial bearing the secret “Pt950” inscription between 4 and 5 o’clock, as well as the folding clasp. The dark blue alligator leather strap is hand-stitched with 950 platinum and silk threads. The Traditionnelle tourbillon watch is issued in 25-piece individually numbered edition.
