A RINGING AND SPINNING CLASSIC.

Three months before 2017’s SIHH, the Genevan brand has given us a preview of a fine watch design that’s only available from its stores.

The Traditionnelle collection captures the soul of Vacheron Constantin’s gift for watchmaking. It epitomises over 250 years of mechanical expertise, artistic style and passion from the brand based in the Geneva canton and founded in 1755. Holding such a beautifully made piece as the new Traditionnelle répétition minutes tourbillon, even if it’s just for a few minutes, makes your heart sing.

In terms of design, the watch makes a statement with its perfectly proportioned and curvaceous 44mm platinum case, its shimmering silver or slate grey dial highlighted by the hand-engraved barley pattern and the softly spinning tourbillon. In terms of function, the crystal-clear but powerful gong rings on demand when you press the pusher and chimes the hours, quarters and minutes. Its sweet melody doesn’t just play a timekeeping role but is also soft on your ear.

The hours and minutes on the Traditionnelle répétition minutes tourbillon’s decorated dial are tracked by two white gold hands slightly off-centre to give the tourbillon pride of place at 6. The tourbillon lies in an openwork Maltese cross-shape cage topped by a seconds hand and fuelled by the manual wind 2755 TMR calibre that has a low frequency (2.5Hz, 18,000 beats per hour) and brings to life the 58-hour power reserve.

This model is only available in Vacheron Constantin stores and also comes in rose gold with a shimmering silver dial.

Price: 483,000 CHF (platinum model)

By Sharmila Bertin