Vacheron Constantin unveils a masterpiece to enrich its exclusive Les Cabinotiers collection. The new, absolutely unique model displays some of the most complex complications of Haute Horlogerie, embellished with the art of engraving. The hand-wound calibre is the result of extraordinary miniaturisation work and excellent craftsmanship, which have enabled the creation of 15 complications, visible on the double dial, framed by a hand-chiselled gold case. The two dials, front and back, of the Grande Complication "Crocodile" are decorated with intense shades of slate grey, while the gold case is chiselled with ornamental crocodile-themed motifs. An elegant alligator strap fastened by a pin buckle, also engraved with the same theme as the case, lends a special touch to this prestige watch, presented in a luxurious Macassar ebony time box. This new creation is inspired by the world's most complicated wristwatch, the famous Tour de l'Île by Vacheron Constantin, launched in 2005 as a tribute to 250 years of watchmaking art cultivated by the Geneva-based Manufacture. Featuring 15 complications distributed over its double dial, this masterpiece once again expresses Vacheron Constantin's watchmaking savoir-faire in combining numerous complications within an extremely small space and enhancing them through exceptional craftsmanship. This timepiece is crafted within Vacheron Constantin's exclusive "Les Cabinotiers" department, which harks back directly to the days when highly specialised Genevan watchmakers - the cabinotiers - worked in ateliers carved out of attics and created unique timepieces for prestigious clients. This incomparable model reflects the philosophy of combining watchmaking excellence, craftsmanship savoir-faire and unique artistic creations. Moreover, it is certified by the Hallmark of Geneva, which guarantees compliance with the strict standards set by this independent quality body. The hand-wound calibre of this unique model represents an extraordinary expression of miniaturisation and engineering. It drives 15 complications, most of them astronomical. In addition to hours and minutes, the first dial (front) displays a dozen functions: minute repeater, equation of time, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, date, day of the week, month and leap years, power reserve and sunrise and sunset times. The second dial (back) features a series of fascinating astronomical complications: sky chart, equinox and solstice, sidereal hours and minutes, age and phases of the moon, seasons and zodiac signs. On the front dial, the main complications are displayed with great clarity. An embodiment of undisputed horological savoir-faire, the minute repeater marks the hours, quarters and minutes on demand and is equipped with an ingenious striking mechanism with a centripetal flywheel. Perfectly silent and effective in preventing excessive wear and tear on the mechanism, it regulates the duration of the musical sequence to ensure melodious and clearly audible notes. The tourbillon, a symbol of Vacheron Constantin's watchmaking excellence, is fitted with a cage in the shape of the Maltese cross, the symbol of the Maison. The tourbillon rotates at the speed of one complete revolution per minute, counteracting the effects of gravity to improve the precision of the movement and accommodating the display of small seconds. The perpetual calendar, the 'memory of time to come' is able to keep up with the complexity of the Gregorian calendar without requiring any intervention other than a date change every 400 years. It also shows the days of the week, the month, the date and leap years in a good balance. The realisation of the prestigious equation of time - which measures the difference in minutes between solar time and summer time - requires considerable skill. The finishing touch on this first dial is provided by a 'bespoke complication' indicating the hours of sunrise and sunset, adjustable according to the reference city chosen by the customer. On the back of the watch, the second dial also features a series of functions distributed over two levels. The central disc houses the sky chart and the four cardinal points. Two apertures to the north and south indicate the month of the year and sidereal time, corresponding to 'true' time. A small hand running around the perimeter shows the age of the moon, i.e. the number of days that have elapsed since the last full moon, while a long, tapered hand marked by a counterweight decorated with a small sun indicates the date, the sign of the zodiac, the season and the corresponding equinox or solstice. With 836 components, this calibre can be counted among the most complicated movements ever made by Vacheron Constantin - it has a 58-hour power reserve, a diameter of just 33.90 mm and a thickness of 12.15 mm. Fitting the specific mechanisms regulating the model's 15 complications into such a small space was a real feat, in order to guarantee their perfect functioning and legibility on the double dial. This calibre, entirely developed and manufactured in-house, is housed in a gold case with a diameter of 47 mm, the features of which were specifically designed to ensure the best sound quality of the minute repeater. In addition, each of the precision-adjusted components, harmonised to ensure optimal performance, is distinguished by meticulous hand finishing. The case of this timepiece exudes extraordinary charisma, thanks to the decoration of two crocodiles and the pattern of scales of various sizes. The creation of the crocodiles, sculpted from a single block of metal using the decorative ramolayé technique and various types of engraving of fine lines (matt, sandblasted, brushed and polished), required a series of very delicate steps requiring specific skills. The finely worked crocodile eyes express the full strength of the animal. The painstaking work on the scales dotting the bezel, the lugs and the caseback imbues this miniature masterpiece, born of the expert touch of a highly experienced master engraver, with vitality and light. The pink gold enhances the discreet elegance of the anthracite-coloured double dial. This refined and perfectly legible dial is embellished on the front with applied pink gold hour-markers, leaf-shaped hands and counters with a blued finish. The Les Cabinotiers "Crocodile", engraved with the inscriptions 'Pièce Unique', 'Les Cabinotiers' and the initials 'AC' (Atelier Cabinotiers) on the back, it is fitted with an alligator leather strap Mississippiensis closed by a hand-engraved pin buckle. The creation is presented in a luxurious Macassar ebony time-box equipped with a correcting instrument and a magnifying glass.
