CHALLENGING TIME
The watch was officially introduced during the SIHH 2019, but collectors can already enjoy its exceptional attractions and a highly complex calibre.
Once again, the Les Cabinotiers collection gives Vacheron Constantin a chance to combine a mastery of luxury watchmaking and artistic craftsmanship. The phoenix, the symbol of the eternal rebeginning, is displayed on the body of the beautiful watch case. The pattern takes on life and depth through the expert use of bas-relief engraving. Almost 300 hours of work went in to producing the final result. The magnificent 47mm-wide pink-gold case houses an extremely complex hand-wound movement. The calibre 2755 comes with a power reserve of 58 hours and features 15 complications. Like the conductor of an orchestra, it guarantees the smooth running of the Grande Complication Phoenix.
Price on request vacheron-constantin.com
By Dan Diaconu
This outstanding watch deploys all the craftsmanship of the Geneva-based brand and represents a dazzling work of engraving cut into the surface using the intaglio technique. The result brings the animal to life, as it peers out of a gold bamboo forest. The finesse of the craftsmanship brings out numerous details, such as the veins on the leaves, the horizontal lines on the stalks and the animal’s thick coat. The tiger’s yellow eyes seem to be watching for a virtual prey with a determined look.
The majestic, white-gold watch case is 45mm wide and 15.1mm thick. When you turn it over, you see a completely different scene with an engraved sky chart of the northern hemisphere. The Geneva night sky, magnified by the concave case and the sapphire glass, includes an ellipse, the Milky Way, the stars and the constellations, all lit up by a luminous coating. The stars are shown in their exact position at the time when you look at the watch. The night scene turns around once in every 23 hours and 56 minutes, corresponding to sidereal time.
The level of craftsmanship on display means that the Traditional Complete Calendar from the Excellence Platine Collection has the Geneva Seal certification.
But there is no need to hurry off to your favourite Vacheron Constantin store, since the FiftySix Tourbillon will only be available exclusively in the brand’s boutiques from spring 2019!
Price: EUR22,600 
But while the mechanism comes close to perfection, what can we say about the design! The bezel, body, lugs and even the tang buckle are decorated with an ornamental pattern inspired by 19th century Victorian architecture. This work of art and miniature sculpture took over 150 hours to make by hand using chisels and specialised tools.
On the chronograph version, the discs of the three silvered counters – the small seconds at 9 o’clock, the minute and hour totalizers at 3 o’clock and at 6 o’clock – provide an ever-so fast and easy time view. This display, complemented by the hours and minutes in the centre and the date set at 4:30, are driven by the 5200 calibre, nestling in a 42.5 mm-diameter steel case, which offers a 52-hour power reserve.
The hours, minutes, day of the week and the date can be seen at 11.30, 1.30, 7.30 and 4.30, respectively, and are displayed with the help of a quartet of discs (two constant and two jumping discs). The watches’ features are powered by the automatic calibre 2460 G4/1, housed in a 40mm-wide white-gold case and providing 40 hours of autonomy.
The functions on the FiftySix Day Date are driven by a self-winding mechanical movement. The Calibre 2475 SC/2 provides the watch with over 40 hours of power reserve. The stop-second feature is used to precisely set the time.