Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers models are unique timepieces that stand for one-of-a-kind bespoke technical, aesthetic and artistic challenges. They emboby the combination of watchmaking expertise (grand complications) and Artistic Crafts (enamelling, engraving). Engineers, designers, master watchmakers and artisans combine their imagination, their expertise and their passion in giving life to this embodiment of horological expertise and extreme refinement.
Les Cabinotiers « Mécaniques Sauvages » pay homage to wild animals, from savannah to jungle, earth to sky, myth to reality. They adorn the dials and cases of these one-of-a-kind models created by Les Cabinotiers department. The caseback of these unique timepieces are engraved with « Les Cabinotiers », « Pièce unique » and « AC » hallmark. They are fitted with a hand-stitched Mississippiensis alligator leather with large square scales.
Les Cabinotiers 2755 Eagle
Horological expertise takes the form of seven complications, including a rare type of minute repeater equipped with a centripetal system enabling both effective sound diffusion, a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar and a 55-hour power reserve indicator. The Calibre 2755, a mechanical, manual-winding movement has a 48-hour power reserve. Intaglio fine line and pounced ornament engraving techniques bring depth and light to this creation. Mastering these techniques requires at least ten years of experience. They vividly highlight the determination, courage and strength of the eagle, whose visual acuity is reproduced in its piercing gaze. The 18K 5N pink gold case measures 45 mm in diameter and the guilloché dial is blue.
Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon Snake
Six patents have been filed for this timepiece equipped with a double retrograde armillary tourbillon, derived from the Reference 57260 watch with its 57 complications. The manual-winding Calibre 1990 offers 65 hours of power reserve. High-tech materials such as silicon for the pallet-lever and escape-wheel, as well as aluminium for the tourbillon carriage, further enhance the precision and durability of this timepiece and lend a light touch. The patience of the engraving artisans and their love of fine workmanship are clearly apparent in the engraving work on the snake surrounding the caseband. The Maison’s signature hand finishes have served to craft the model, highlighting the matt and brilliant surfaces punctuating the dial, giving life to the scales of the animal. The art of suggestion is extremely subtle, since the precision of the visible portion enables the observer to imagine the reptile in its entirety. The 18K 5N pink gold case measures 45 mm in diameter.
Les Cabinotiers 14-Day Tourbillon Lion
In this model, the harmonious centrally aligned dial composition echoes the serenity radiating from the lion calmly surveying his surroundings. The fine strokes enable a realistic portrayal of the scene. This model features the Maltese cross-shaped tourbillon as well as the 14-day power reserve of the manual-winding Calibre 2260. This technical combination is matched by a particularly tricky combination of skills: the 42 mm case made of 18K 5N pink gold is engraved, while the 18K gold dial is coated with grisaille enamel. This technique consists in coating the gold plate with a uniform dark brown layer and, after firing in the kiln, in applying an extremely rare type of white Grand Feu enamel known as “Blanc de Limoges”, in order to endow the material with subtle shades of grey, brown and white, as well as creating shading effects.
Les Cabinotiers Mysterious Animals Tiger
This exotic and inventive expression of time is equipped with the automatic-winding 2460 G4 calibre driving four displays appearing through four apertures. The hours, minutes, day and date are arranged around the dial periphery so as to give pride of place to Artistic Crafts. Jungle animals lend themselves to this daring composition, with a white gold tiger emerging from a yellow gold bamboo forest and appearing at the centre of the dial that is entirely hand-engraved with an infinite sense of detail.
The ancestral technique of fine line engraving requires at least five years of experience to master its incredible finesse, with this intaglio-type sculpting of the material highlighting every strikingly realistic detail. The animal merges naturally into the surrounding plantlife of the jungle decor. The 40 mm case is crafted in 950 platinum.
Les Cabinotiers Grisaille Falcon
The power and grace of the falcon, king of birds, inspired the decoration in Grand Feu grisaille enamel “Blanc de Limoges” adorning the 18K gold dial of this model. Expertise and rigorous discipline are once again the watchwords in mastering this art, since firing between 800° and 900°C proves extremely delicate given the risk of burning the dial. The deft touch of the master enameller endows this animal with visually striking bearing, posture and expression. The effect is even more apparent on these more sharply defined black and white dials crafted using his expertise. This model is driven by the extremely reliable self-winding Calibre 2460 SC, equipped with a stop-seconds device bringing the seconds hand to a halt so as to enable more accurate adjustment, as well as enjoying greater longevity thanks to the ceramic ball bearings on the oscillating weight. The 40 mm case is made of 18K white gold.
