Vacheron Constantin

I think we can all agree that 2005 was one of the most important years in Vacheron Constantinâ??s 258 years as a going concern. That year the brand flexed its muscles as a manufacture with a series of limited edition watches with in-house movements that still impress almost a decade later (Tour de lâ??Ile, St. Gervais, and Jubile 1755 among others). These movements are still with us today in modified form in the Patrimony Traditionnelle Calibre 2755, Patrimony Traditionnelle  Calibre 2253, Patrimony Traditionnelle 14 day tourbillon, and Quai de lâ??Ile Day-Date-Power Reserve. How could Vacheron Constantin follow up on the anniversary collection without disappointing its fans?

The brand had a couple of tricks up its sleeve. One was the redesign of the Overseas collection, Vacheron Constantinâ??s most affordable series of watches, with larger diameter and a new complication (Dual Time). Another was the introduction of the limited edition Malte Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater, comprising 30 pieces using the last set of Calibre 1755 minute repeater movements the brand possessed. Another was to focus on platinum as a material for its watches. First there was the introduction of the Excellence Platine collection, the first two models being the Patrimony Contemporaine:


and the Malte Chronograph:


This Excellence Platine collection continues to do well, averaging one new model per year.

Second, a pair of openworked platinum pieces were introduced. The first was the Malte Retrograding Perpetual Calendar:


and the second (Iâ??m saving the best for last) was the skeleton minute repeater.


This limited edition of 15 pieces represented the last production run of the basic minute repeater that Vacheron Constantin had started making in 1993, based on the rare renowned vintage minute repeaters from the 1940â??s-1960â??s.

The platinum case is 37 mm in diameter and features the iconic tear drop lugs that were present on many of the vintage models that were its inspiration. The slide to activate the chiming mechanism is discretely placed on the 9 oâ??clock side of the case.


The calibre 1755 consists of 330 parts, and is only 3.30 mm thick. The view through the sapphire crystal dial shows the beautifully fashioned racks that track the hours and minutes and program how many chimes are needed when the repeater is engaged.


The case back shows the gongs and hammers along with the gear train.


All parts are beautifully finished, and the decorative engraving of the wheels and bridges is phenomenal.

The sound quality is lovely, with good resonance and tone, and audible in a quiet room. I did not record the sound.

Vacheron Constantin has long been admired for both its repeating watches and for the beauty of its skeletonized timepieces. This Cabinotiers Skeleton Minute Repeater combines the best of  Vacheron Constantinâ??s expertise in complicated watchmaking with its unmatched artistic expression. It was a privilege to get the chance to spend some time with this watch, and I want to thank the owner for allowing me to share the watch with the forum.

Bill Lind
VC Forum Moderator

Yes, a timepiece with high "schwing"-factor indeed.  Thanks to you Bill for the marvelous story and pictures, and to the owner for sharing.

All brands included.

VC Skill at its best, which associates Art and Horology in the most spectacular way.

A grail, for many of us, I guess.

The rest of the watches you mentionned are a step below, even, in my book, the thick and very big Tour De L'Ile, which is an amzing sum of complications, but which doesn't move me the way the Skeleton Minute Repeater does.

Two watches always interested me: The Pt malte Chrono, for its superb dial ( my favourite version ), and the intriguing, very intriguing Perpetual Calendar open dial, which I find very cool, and an original interpretation of this complication.

But, as previously said, the skeleton minute repeater is belonging to and playing in another league, definitely.

Best,

Nicolas

Nicholas that the skeleton minute repeater is on of the finest watches ever made, and if there is one watch to represent VC at its finest, this would be it. Now with the 1731 out, I wonder if the honor passes on remains !!!

I like the Malte Chrono. Would love to own a pre-owned piece.

What is the movement used in the Malte open-worked QP? Is it in-house or based on a JLC ebauche?

 

think it was intended to be a platform piece; essentially a showcase of design and technology, which (along with the St. Gervais) has spawned new movements / technologies / models for VC.

Its just to show that what VC is capable of after 250 years. The minute repeater does not even strike the hours on this piece if I am not mistaken.

 

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Calibre 2000 Pocket Watch are a bit like Ferrari's Enzo / La Ferrari and Porsche's Carrera GT / 918 Spyder. They are produced in relatively small numbers; entry (at least for PP and Ferrari) is by invitation only, and they serve as a platform for new future technologies. Even if one does not like them, it does not matter because there are so few of them. But their existence is important every 10-20 years, as these new technologies spawn future models which are more acquirable.

PP's Calibre 89, of which they only made four. This pocket watch has literally served as a platform for a lot of major things PP has done until now.

 

Sorry to speak about PP in a VC forum; but trying to illustrate logic behind Tour D Lile and why its thickness does not matter.

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A minute repeater is already something special in any case but ultra thin with that amazing case, nothing can be compared.

Some prefers with a dial for understatement, some with the poetry and the skeleton masterpiece, anyway I don't see any competitor to this. There are amazing watches (Patek minute repeater, GP Opera, Journe or AP grande sonnerie in striking watches for example) but this VC is ultimately elegant, above any other.
I see only one that amazes me more in this kind of piece, but it's vintage and it's unique. The severe ultra thin minute repeater 6440 from VC sold months ago.

Thanks for sharing this magnificient piece and the holy grail of many.

cheers

Francois

And it was, but in 2005 VC really hit it out of the park to say the least.  (By the way, Bill, congrats on the Sox victory last night!)

It is really a treat to see these images of the skeleton minute repeater.  The owner of that watch is a very, very lucky person. 

Best,

respo

As usual, I really enjoyed reading your post and pictures.
The finishing of the skeleton minute repeater is stunning!

Cheers
Robin

Heard one in rose gold before.  Absolutely beautiful quiet sound, but good tonality.  

The skeleton Repeater is so SEXY PCS