Sound and music have always played a role in the Maison’s partnerships, the latest of which is with Abbey Road Studios, a name closely associated with iconic artists such as The Beatles, Adele and Oasis. In collaboration with the studios, Vacheron Constantin launched its Fiftysix® collection, backed by the "One of not Many" campaign. The partnership also has a role to play for "La Musique du Temps®", as Vacheron Constantin entrusts Abbey Road Studios with recording the unique sound of each model.
"Above and beyond extremely similar values, Abbey Road Studios and Vacheron Constantin work closely together on creative collaborations involving both content creation and sharing expertise," explains Laurent Perves, CMO Vacheron Constantin. "Entrusting the production of the sound prints of our pieces to an internationally recognised expert in the recording world is an integral part of our collaborative endeavours." For the first time, the repeater watches from the “La Musique du Temps®” range have a unique sound imprint, recorded and certified by Abbey Road Studios. "The opportunity to capture the sonic identity of these incredible timepieces is a privilege," explains Jeremy Huffelmann, Head of Partnerships at Abbey Road Studios. “These recordings perfectly encapsulate the shared values of craftsmanship, expertise and excellence that define our collaboration, whilst forever preserving the personality of these singular timepieces.”
Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater ultra-thin – A romantic note
This one-of-a-kind model is equipped with the ultra-thin 1731 minute repeater calibre measuring just 3.90 mm thick. It took four years to solve this complex equation of creating a striking movement combining slimness, a pure sound, pleasing aesthetics, reliability and precision. The watch is presented with an 18K 5N pink gold case measuring 41 mm in diameter and 8.5 mm thick. It features a dial crafted in Grand Feu enamel, one of the most demanding enamelling techniques. This resolutely classic model is spiced up with an original font used for railroad and the leaning Arabic black enamelled numerals. Hollow-tipped hands complete the "romantic" appearance of this piece, which is fitted with a brown alligator leather strap. Only the presence of slide piece on the left side of the case hints at the complexity of a minute repeater housed in this watch with its pure design.
Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater perpetual calendar - A perfect combination
Beating at the heart of the unique Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater perpetual calendar - A perfect combination models is Vacheron Constantin’s 1731 QP calibre. In reference to Jean-Marc Constantin's birth year, this minute repeater movement is inspired by the Maison’s historical achievements. The difficulty here lay in adding a perpetual calendar to the 1731 calibre while maintaining a total thickness of just 5.70 mm, as well as ensuring precision, reliability and user friendliness. The calendar indications are arranged in a classically elegant manner, positioned at the top of the sunray guilloché dial so as to leave the necessary space for the golden moon set against a starry sky background. The control system for the minute repeater function on the left side of the 42 mm diameter case hints at the true complexity involved in crafting these models.
Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater ultra-thin - The dance of gemstones
These two unique pieces, which are characterised in particular by ruby hour-markers, are equipped with the ultra-thin 1731 minute repeater calibre measuring just 3.90 mm thick. Various technical choices were made to ensure a clear and harmonious sound. The cases are designed to form a single entity with the movement, in a composition that incorporates such subtle parameters as the circulation of air between the mechanism and the case in order to ensure optimal note propagation. Both Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater ultra-thin - The dance of stones models are presented in 18K 5N pink gold cases, respectively measuring 41 mm and 39 mm in diameter. The latter is the first ladies' minute repeater watch offered by the Maison in this size. Its bezel is adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds, which also sparkle on the lugs and the crown set with a cabochon.
Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater tourbillon sky chart - A celestial note
Embodying an extremely original combination within the world of horological complications, the Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater tourbillon sky chart – A celestial note watch combines several forms of watchmaking expertise. Incorporating a tourbillon regulator, a minute repeater and a rotating map of the celestial vault, this one-of-a-kind double-sided model features a rare degree of complexity. At the heart of its 18K 5N gold case measuring 45 mm in diameter and just 15.1 mm thick beats Calibre 2755 TMRCC. This 413-part manual-winding movement operates at the rate of 18,000 vibrations/ hour and enjoys a 58-hour power reserve. The timekeeping indications are displayed on the front, including small seconds on the tourbillon carriage adorned with a Maltese Cross, while the back of the watch provides a striking view of the Milky Way and the constellations performing a complete rotation in 23 hour and 56 minutes, corresponding to sidereal time. The sliding bolt housed in the case middle suggests the presence of a minute repeater.
Les Cabinotiers Symphonia grande sonnerie – The sixth symphony
The first grande sonnerie wristwatch created by the Maison was unveiled in 2017, equipped with the 1860 calibre also featuring a minute repeater. It is this same 727-part movement that drives the Les Cabinotiers Symphonia grande sonnerie – The sixth symphony watch, whose 18K 5N pink gold case bears a meticulously executed bas-relief engraving of a musical score. The latter pays tribute to Ludwig van Beethoven's "Pastoral" Sixth Symphony in F major, hand-engraved on an olive-leaf background, decor inspired by a pocket-watch from the Vacheron Constantin Heritage collection, named « Les Bergers d’Arcadie », created in 1923.
Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater tourbillon – Four seasons
Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers department has drawn inspiration from the Manufacture's very first minute repeater wristwatch, an ultra-thin timepiece introduced in 1941. Watchmaking excellence continues today at the heart of Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater tourbillon – Four seasons equipped with the 2755 TMR calibre. This movement regulates the mechanism chiming the hours, quarters and minutes on demand by means of a one-minute tourbillon with a rotating carriage serving to neutralise the effects of Earth’s gravity. On each dial the colours of the seasons are first engraved by hand using the bas-relief technique to highlight the richness of the scenography. Using the champlevé enamelling technique, the dozen or so colours are applied in successive layers and fixed by as many firings in the kiln. The result is four unique dials.
