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Comparing some Vacheron Constantin Tourbillon calibers
The idea of this thread came to my mind while comparing the newly released caliber 2162 QP/270 powering the Traditionnelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar (ref. 6300T/000P-H056) with what is considered to be Vacheron's first Tourbillon caliber for a wristwatch: caliber 1760, created to power the ref. 30050.
And, for me, this very first caliber is hands down the most good-looking of the whole range...
Judge by yourself.
Best, Emmanuel
A/ CALIBER 1760 (manual winding with power reserve indication)
This caliber was developed around 1990 in collaboration with the Nouvelle Lémania movements factory for Vacheron Constantin's first wristwatch with a tourbillon: the ref. 30050, shown below, which was produced as a limited edition of 300 pieces, 160 in yellow gold and 140 in platinum.
1/ Ref. 30050/000J-7604 (the example below was manufactured in 1998)
credit: lunar oyster
2/ Ref. 30051/000R-8002 (skeletonized version of the previous model: the caliber should be referenced as 1760 SQ, but doesn't seem to have a specific "name")
credit: the keystone
B/ CALIBERS 1790 & 2795 (both manual winding and same overall architecture, but the 1790 has power reserve and date, whereas the 2795 is tourbillon only and bears the Geneva Seal)
1/ Caliber 1790 powering ref. 30066/000R-8816 (the model below was manufactured in 2004)
credit: 1stdibs (2) & prestige time
2/ Caliber 2795 powering ref. 30130/000P-B184 (2017 limited edition of 2 pieces in platinum with blue dial of the 2012 ref. 30130, which was also made in rose gold & as part of the Excellence Platine collection)
credit: prestige time
C/ CALIBERS 2260, 2260 SQ & 2260/1 (manual winding with 14 days of power reserve and power reserve indicator)
1/ Caliber 2260 powering ref. 89000/000R-9655 (introduced in 2011)
credit: hodinkee (1 & 3) & a blog to watch
2. Caliber 2260 SQ powering ref. 89010/000P-9935 (2014)
credit: Sjx
3/ Caliber 2260/1 powering ref. 6000A/000P-B025 Métiers d’Art Mecaniques Gravées 14-Day Tourbillon’ (2015 - NB: this model is sometimes referenced as 6000A/000P-B026 and the case back shows "6200A": I haven't been able to clarify these confusing data)
credit: horologium & monochrome (wrist shot)
D/ CALIBER 3200 (manual winding with monopusher chronograph and power reserve indicator)
1/ Ref. 5100S/000P-B056 (2015)
credit: horologium
2/ Ref. 5100T/000P-H041 (this model is the 2024 Excellence Platine version of the 2020 rose gold ref. 5100T/000R-B623)
credit: Sjx
E/ CALIBER 2160 (automatic with peripheral rotor)
Ref. 6000T/000R-B346 (2018)
credit: Sjx (1 & 4), hodinkee (2) & a blog to watch (3)
F/ CALIBER 2162 QP/270 (automatic with peripheral rotor and perpetual calendar)
Ref. 6300T/000P-H056 (2025)
Comparing some Vacheron Constantin Tourbillon calibers
The idea of this thread came to my mind while comparing the newly released caliber 2162 QP/270 powering the Traditionnelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar (ref. 6300T/000P-H056) with what is considered to be Vacheron's first Tourbillon caliber for a wristwa...
So many beauties
I’d say out of these I like the 6300T something about that peripheral rotor tucked in there.. There was a platinum with blue dial malte that really hit hard as well. Simple dial not regulator.
Do you mean this one, ref. REF 30130/000P-B184 with cal. 2795, limited to 2 pieces?
For me, caliber 2795 is one of the "great ones" because, like 1760 & 1790, it has very sharp inward angles and a beautiful architecture. The reason why I personally don't warm up to the 6300T or 6000T (cal. 2162 & 2160) is that they have only rounded ...
Yes!
This piece always came to mind as one of my favorites. I stared at it a lot for sale on prestige time. Re the lack of sharp angles on the peripheral rotor, I agree. Sad to see this.
A great reference!
All beautiful, thank goodness they quickly stopped printing Tourbillon on the dial 😉. Now you’ve got me wondering when the first V&C pocket tourbillon was produced…
Yes, but this
first model, even with tourbillon on the dial, is my personal favorite! As for your question, I don’t know the answer unfortunately. Cheers, Emmanuel
The older the better was the finishing quality. The 2025
release is a shame regarding the lack of and bypassing of inward and sharp angles. Everything has been rounded whereas on the model from the nineties no effort was spared to achieve the utmost finishing. Price and quality totally drift apart.
Good observation
The tourbillon chronographs are in the current collection, so the collector can choose between a "practical" tourbillon that delivers prestige at a competitive price, or a no-expenses-spared tourbillon that provides an extra flourish for the owner's eyes ...
I love all of these profusely!!
They have, since the 90s, made the prettiest single-axis tourbillon in the business in my opinion . If I had to choose one of these, it would be the Excellence Platine Ref. 5100T/000P-H041 or REF 30130/000P-B184 Yes, I just copy-pasted the references sinc...
Thank you for the kind words, Filip!
I'm personally not fond of tourbillons which involve a hole in the dial, but VC has really made some wonderful calibers (especially the first one, 1760, for me). But of course the platinum versions you would choose are quite stunning too. Best, Emmanuel
All incredible and beautiful. Hard to pick a favorite tbh
Thanks for this great post like always 👌🏻🤗
Thank you for the kind words!
I really feel attracted to the first caliber (1760 in ref. 30050), which stands out very much for me. And, as it is completely underrated, it isn't as unaffordable as one could think, even in platinum... Cheers, Emmanuel
Great review!
The older models have movements that are elaborately finished, but I am drawn to the dials of the more recent watches. With the democratization of the tourbillon, you could argue the elaborate movement finishing was the real draw of the high end tourbillo...
Thank you! I totally get your point,
even if I personally prefer the older models, especially the ref. 30050. I like the vintage feel it conveys. Thanks for looking and commenting. Best, Emmanuel