Key points
- Wheels crafted from titanium, a split-seconds lever made of silicon, and aluminium chronograph hands all contribute to the movement’s efficiency and a respectable 50-hour power reserve—even with the chronograph running.
- This new masterpiece from the brand’s elite Les Cabinotiers division redefines what’s possible in a wristwatch by bringing together three of the most demanding complications—minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, and tourbillon regulator—into a single, breathtakingly openworked timepiece.
- Meanwhile, the tourbillon—located at 6 o’clock and crafted in the form of the brand’s Maltese cross emblem—features the aforementioned spherical hairspring, delivering impeccable timing through concentric expansion and contraction.
Bangkok Luxury Watches: A Singular Vision of Mechanical Grandeur
Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest continuously operating watchmaker, has once again pushed the limits of horological artistry with its latest showpiece: the Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface. This new masterpiece from the brand’s elite Les Cabinotiers division redefines what’s possible in a wristwatch by bringing together three of the most demanding complications—minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, and tourbillon regulator—into a single, breathtakingly openworked timepiece.
The Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface – a True Masterpiece
Image Credit: Vacheron Constantin
A technical symphony comprising nearly 700 parts, this exclusive watch is more than just a showcase of complications; it is kinetic art in motion. This Bangkok Luxury Watches news report highlights how this creation, born from a mix of technical genius and decorative refinement, isn’t merely about measuring time—it’s about elevating it to an experience.
Engineering Beyond the Norm
At the heart of this singular edition lies the Calibre 2757 S—a movement of astonishing complexity and precision. With 696 individual components housed within a profile just 10.4mm thick and 33.3mm in diameter, the watch is remarkably elegant considering its mechanical density. Vacheron Constantin, through its Les Cabinotiers atelier, has managed to deliver haute horlogerie sophistication in a format typically reserved for pocket watches.
This updated calibre features a spherical hairspring for enhanced isochronism and improved performance, along with innovative materials to reduce weight and friction. For instance, wheels crafted from titanium, a split-seconds lever made of silicon, and aluminium chronograph hands all contribute to the movement’s efficiency and a respectable 50-hour power reserve—even with the chronograph running.
The Complication Trio
Bringing together a minute repeater, rattrapante chronograph, and tourbillon in one wristwatch is an extraordinary accomplishment. Each of these complications alone is a feat; together, they require exceptional skill and innovation. The chronograph functions are governed by two column wheels—one for the primary chronograph and one for the split-seconds mechanism—ensuring precise 1/5th of a second measurements.
The minute repeater benefits from a novel silent flying strike governor, which eliminates distracting background noise and evens out the striking rhythm. Meanwhile, the tourbillon—located at 6 o’clock and crafted in the form of the brand’s Maltese cross emblem—features the aforementioned spherical hairspring, delivering impeccable timing through concentric expansion and contraction.
Unparalled craftmanship
Image Credit: Vacheron Constantin
A Dial that Reveals All
Unlike traditional dials that mask their inner workings, the Openface lives up to its name. The 0.5mm transparent sapphire dial showcases a stunning array of finishes—frosted and polished sections, gold-ringed counters, and inked engravings—all meticulously executed. The dial’s transparent nature allows for a full appreciation of the movement’s choreography.
Hours and minutes are displayed off-center at 9 o’clock, the 30-minute chronograph counter sits at 2 o’clock, and the tourbillon with its small seconds function occupies the 6 o’clock position. The chronograph hands and minute markers stand out in an olive-green hue, matched by a luxurious green alligator strap that fastens the 45mm pink gold case.
Design That Speaks in Every Detail
The beauty of this watch is not limited to the dial. Flip it over, and the caseback reveals a contrasting architecture of blackened, sandblasted bridges edged with polished mirror-finish sinks. The initials “JMV”—honoring Jean-Marc Vacheron—are engraved on the governor, anchored by a semicircular, hand-polished bridge that alone took over eight hours to complete.
Each visible surface of the movement is finished using traditional hand techniques—beveling, engraving, satin finishing, and graining. Every screw, jewel sink, and gear tooth speaks of hundreds of hours of artisan labor, turning the mechanism into a sculpture of micromechanical art.
A piece that entailed hundred of hours of artisan labour
Image Credit: Vacheron Constantin
When Tradition Meets the Future
Christian Selmoni, Style & Heritage Director at Vacheron Constantin, aptly captures the rarity and complexity of this piece. “Minute repeaters combined with perpetual calendars are more common in grand complications. But including a rattrapante chronograph and tourbillon together presents an immense challenge in miniaturization and precision,” he notes. The sheer number of parts packed into the case leaves minimal room for resonance—a critical factor in the repeater’s sound quality. Yet the watch manages to strike clean, rich tones, a testament to the maison’s ingenuity.
Unlike most grand complication wristwatches that keep the movement veiled, the decision to feature an open-worked dial allows collectors and connoisseurs to appreciate the intricate ballet of gears, levers, and hammers in real time. This transparency not only demonstrates Vacheron Constantin’s confidence in its craftsmanship but also transforms the wearer into an observer of mechanical poetry.
A Crown Jewel of Modern Horology
Crafted as a unique, single-piece edition, the Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface stands as a pinnacle of watchmaking in the 21st century. It challenges conventions and expectations, proving that traditional horological techniques can thrive alongside modern materials and design language. Its 18K pink gold case, substantial in both size and stature, houses more than just gears—it contains a legacy of innovation that stretches back over two and a half centuries.
Even the operational design is a masterclass in form and function: a pusher at 2 o’clock controls start, stop, and reset for the chronograph, while a pusher at 4 o’clock manages the split-seconds. A side slider activates the minute repeater, seamlessly integrating function with elegance.
This is not just a watch. It is a celebration of time itself—a triumphant symphony of mechanics, history, and human ingenuity.
This breathtaking creation from Vacheron Constantin affirms the brand’s unwavering commitment to innovation, artistry, and excellence. With the Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface, Vacheron doesn’t merely honor tradition—it reinvents it for the modern era. This remarkable timepiece isn’t just rare because it’s a one-of-one edition. It’s rare because it speaks to a level of horological storytelling that only a few brands in the world can still deliver. From its invisible sapphire dial to its heartbeat powered by Calibre 2757 S, every detail resonates with the legacy of true haute horlogerie.
For more on the Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface Masterpiece, visit:
https://www.vacheron-constantin.com/sa/en/maison/craftsmanship/cabinotiers.html
The Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface Masterpiece is vailabel in Bangkok at:
https://stores.vacheron-constantin.com/thailand/bangkok
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