quattro's meticulous compilation offers an invaluable deep dive into Vacheron Constantin's distinctive wandering hours complications. This article serves as a crucial reference, illuminating the brand's innovative approach to time display through its 'dragging satellites hours' system, a mechanism that sets it apart from other horological giants. For collectors and enthusiasts, understanding these nuanced technical and aesthetic distinctions is key to appreciating Vacheron Constantin's enduring legacy in haute horlogerie.
Whereas, in AP's system, hours are printed four by four on three discs (1-4-7-10 / 2-5-8-11 / 3-6-9-12), in VC's system, hours are carved and mounted on three groups of four sticks or "satellites": thus the appellation "dragging satellites hours display".
I haven't been able to find proper photos of some of the timepieces, unfortunately.
Enjoy!
1/ Tribute to great explorers (2004-2008) with caliber 1126 AT
Zhang He Expedition, ref. 47070/000J-9084
credit: daily watch
Christopher Columbus Expedition, ref. 47070/000J-9085 
credit: équation du temps
Marco Polo Expedition, ref. 47070/000J-9086 
credit: loupe this
Fernand de Magellan Expedition, ref. 47070/000J-9076 
credit: phase de lune
Caliber 1126 AT 
credit:
WHL here on watchprosite
credit:
yesjb here on watchprosite2/ Sputnik (2007) ref. 47071/00G-9314 with caliber 1126 AJ - Only 10 “Sputnik Arts and Crafts » watches were produced to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Soviet satellite and sold exclusively at the Vacheron Constantin boutique in Moscow.
credit: argentogroup on IG
credit: salon105.ru
3/ Savoirs enluminés (2015) with caliber 1120 AT - Collection taking inspiration from the Aberdeen Bestiary, an ancient Celtic manuscript recovered from the Middle Ages
Altion, ref. 7000S/000G-B003 
Caliber 1120 AT
credit: revolution
4/ The Singing birds (2020) with caliber 1120 AT
Blue Jay, ref. 2010C/000R-B683 
Blue tit, ref. 2010C/000R-B682 
Hummingbird, ref. 2010C/000R-B681 
Robin, ref. 2010C/000G-B684
credit: press release kit
5/ Tribute to great explorers (2021) with caliber 1120 AT - Dials inspired by a map from the 1519 Miller Atlas, of which a painted reproduction is kept in the Portuguese Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha – Lisbon)
Vasco da Gama, ref. 7500U/000R-B688 
credit: Sjx
Batolomeu Dias, ref. 7500U/000R-B687 
Pedro Álvares Cabral, ref. 7500U/000R-B689
Batolomeu Dias - Vasco da Gama - Pedro Álvares Cabral
credit: press release kit
6/ Tribute to explorer naturalists (2023) with caliber 1120 AT/1 - Evocation of the scientific discoveries of naturalists who travelled the world’s oceans aboard the english ship Beagle in the early 1830s
Terre de feu, ref. 7500U/000G-B993 
credit: monochrome
Cap de Bonne-Espérance, ref. 7500U/000R-B994 
credit: watchonista
Détroit de Magellan, ref. 7500U/000R-B992 
credit: monochrome
Cap-Vert, ref. 7500U/000G-B991 
credit: monochrome
Détroit de Magellan - back side 
credit: monochrome
Détroit de Magellan - Cap-Vert - Terre de feu - Cap de Bonne-Espérance 
credit: monochrome
