With their elegant and refined design, the Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater perpetual calendar watches in pink gold and white gold belong to La Musique du Temps®: an assortment of one-of-a-kind creations crafted within the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers department as a tribute to the musical arts. The purity of their design stems notably from a consummate and comprehensive mastery of ultra-thin movements.
The Les Cabinotiers minute repeater perpetual calendar models are equipped with a revisited movement, the 1731 QP calibre, which combines a minute repeater and perpetual calendar at the heart of an extremely slim white or pink gold case. For the watchmakers of the Maison, the challenge was to associate two of the most sophisticated complications within a movement measuring just 5.70 mm thick, while ensuring precision, reliability and user friendliness.
No fewer than 438 components, some measuring about a hair’s breadth, compose a true watchmaking alchemy within a mechanical manual-winding movement beating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and driving the following functions – hours, minutes, day, date, month, leap-year indication, moon phase and minute repeater – while maintaining a 65-hour power reserve.
These new timepieces are the latest in a line of watches that have left an indelible imprint on their respective eras. In 1992, Vacheron Constantin presented reference 30020, an exceptional model repeating the hours, quarters and minutes while also endowed with a perpetual calendar.
In 2013, the Maison launched the famous 1731 calibre, named in tribute to Jean-Marc Vacheron’s birth year: an extremely slim manual-winding minute repeater movement inspired by historical calibres.
The two Les Cabinotiers minute repeater perpetual calendar repeater timepieces combine a vision of complex watchmaking with an aesthetic pairing pure design with undeniable elegance. The calendar indications follow a classic layout with the indications of days, dates and month, positioned at the top of the dial adorned with a sunray guilloché motif. This perfectly legible display leaves all the space required for the golden dance of the moon standing out against a star-studded background.
The leap year is discreetly indicated through an aperture, while the equally unobtrusive minute circle marks off the passing of time without disturbing the intuitive calendar reading. In the same spirit, the slender 42 mm case exudes an unassuming yet refined aura.
Only the control system for the minute repeater function, on the left side, reflects the true complexity of these two pieces and testifies to their ability to sound the tempo on gongs. A degree of sophistication confirmed by a simple glance through the transparent sapphire crystal caseback offering admirable views of the mechanical subtleties of this watch that chimes the time.
A sonic print certified by Abbey Road Studios
Sound and music have always played a role in the Maison’s partnerships, the latest of which is with Abbey Road Studios, a name closely associated with iconic artists such as The Beatles, Adele and Oasis.
In collaboration with the studios, Vacheron Constantin launched its Fiftysix® collection, backed by the “One of not Many” campaign. The partnership also has a role to play for “La Musique du Temps®”, as Vacheron Constantin entrusts Abbey Road Studios with recording the unique sound of each model.
Technical details
Movement
Calibre 1731 QP
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin mechanical manual-winding
32.80 mm (14 ¼) diameter, 5.70 mm thick
Movement power reserve: approximately 65 hours
3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
438 components
36 jewels
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Functions
Hours, minutes,
Perpetual Calendar (day of the week, date, months and leap year)
Moon phases
Minute repeater
Model: Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater perpetual calendar (White gold)
Reference 6610C/000G-B629
Case
18K white gold
42 mm diameter, 10.44 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Dial
18K gold, hand-guilloché silvered sunray
18K white gold applied hours-makers
Strap
Blue Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales
Clasp
18K white gold folding clasp
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Rarity
Unique timepiece
“Pièce unique”, “Les Cabinotiers” and “AC” hallmark engraved on the back of the timepiece
Model: Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater perpetual calendar (Pink Gold)
Reference 6610C/000R-B630
Case
18K 5N pink gold
42 mm diameter, 10.44 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Dial
18K gold, hand-guilloché silvered sunray
18K 5N pink gold applied hours-makers
Strap
Brown Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales
Clasp
18K 5N pink gold folding clasp
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Rarity
Unique timepiece
“Pièce unique”, “Les Cabinotiers” and “AC” hallmark engraved on the back of the timepiece
