Amongst the latest Les Cabinotiers collection from Vacheron Constantin, titled Récits de Voyages, is a group of complicated watches which stand out. All feature a tourbillon, but decorated and elaborated upon in different ways for striking diverse results.

The collection includes a pair of Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillons, “Tribute to Arabesque” ref. 6650C and “Tribute to Art Deco” ref. 6520C. Alongside these we have two tourbillons in contrasting styles, the Armillary Tourbillon “Tribute to Art Deco Style” ref. 9860C and Malte Tourbillon “Tribute to Haussmannian Style” ref. 30135. 

Initial thoughts 

All four watches exemplify what Les Cabinotiers is about – one-off watches equipped with the brand’s highest level calibres and decorated by the best artisans. In doing so these watches wonderfully capture aspects of the company’s history from around the world, the defining theme of Récits de Voyages, which translates as “travel stories”.

Given the specialty of these watches, they will not be for everyone. With strong, unique designs, these timepieces are not looking to appeal to the mass market, rather they attest to the ability of the craftspeople at Vacheron Constantin. 

A personal favourite from this line-up has to be the “Tribute to Art Deco” with its deep-blue wood marquetry dial pairing perfectly with the hand-engraved, pink gold case. While the case is undeniably large, that is unavoidable due to the venerable calibre fitted inside. 

While this collection is fantastic, and could easily be considered some of the very best to come from Les Cabinotiers, it would have been more exciting to see a new calibre among it.

For some time now, Vacheron Constantin has relied on existing movements in new guises, perfectly decorated and elaborately refined, but still the same mechanics. It would have been great to see further innovation, beyond of the aesthetics, brilliant as they are.

Highly complex and artistic

Marked out as one of the most complex offerings from Récits de Voyages, these four watches offer both high horology and the best of metier d’art. Therefore it is worth starting with the two most complicated of the lot, the tourbillon minute repeaters. Both of are powered by the cal. 2755 TMR introduced back in 2017 in the far more pared-back Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon. This movement is, of course, fully viewable through the sapphire case back. 

The “Tribute to Arabesque” plays with contrasts through the use of a matte black dial back, with a line-engraved arabesque and floral pattern above in white gold. Directly inspired by the mashrabiya, decorative coverings found across the Islamic world, the intricate engraving work takes a full month to complete. The dial is missing all other markers, allowing the design to flow uninterrupted across the entire watch. Encased in similarly engraved white gold, it measures 44 mm across and 13.5 mm thick. 

Next to this we have the “Tribute to Art Deco Style”, a far warmer final product, it pulls its inspiration from the highly decorative architecture that sprang out of New York in the early 1900s. Its blue wood-marquetry dial, constructed over two levels, is laid out in a geometric pattern reminiscent of many Art Deco interiors. Accompanying the elaborate dial and case decoration, the markers are made from 11 faced diamonds which decrease in size as they reach 12 o’clock. 

The Malte Tourbillon is essentially a reworking of a watch that has been in the Vacheron Constantin catalogue since 2014. Drawing its inspiration from Parisian architecture and urban planning that transformed the French capital in the 19th century thanks to Baron Haussmann.

The ultra-thin, tonneau shamed cal. 2790 SQ is the star of the show here, with its pink gold bridges all meticulously hand engraved, holding the Maltese cross tourbillon, power reserve and date function. The flank of the case has a lion’s head in bas-relief engraved into it, showing fantastic detail for such miniature work. 

A final tribute to the Art Deco style of 1920s America, the Armillary Tourbillon has a bold, imposing presence. Featuring the calibre 1990 with a bi-retrograde minutes and hours hands, we last saw this configuration in another unique piece that was produced in collaboration with Rolls-Royce and mounted in one of its coach-built cars.

The livery here has changed to a gold and black throughout, allowing the Roman numeral markers and certain movement components to stand out. The details here are applied using a mix of hand engraving and guilloché on both the front and back, while the black of the dial has been applied via DLC. 

The large twin axes tourbillon is placed on full display, with a dome of sapphire placed above it, the spherical balance spring pairs well with the overall ostentatious design elements found throughout this piece. The two interlocking tourbillon cages both complete a full rotation every 60 seconds, along with the instantaneous bi-retrograde hands, this places a large amount of demand on the movement, so it is encouraging to see such a high power reserve of 58 hours.

Key facts and price

Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon “Tribute to Arabesque”
Ref. 6650C/000G-084C

Diameter: 44 mm
Height: 13.50 mm
Material: 18k white gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: Not available

Movement: Cal. 2755 TMR
Functions: Hours, minutes, tourbillon, small seconds and minute repeater 
Winding: Manual-winding
Frequency: 18,000 beats per hour (2.5 Hz)
Power reserve: 58 hours

Strap: Alligator strap with folding clasp

Limited edition: Unique piece
Availability: Available at Vacheron Constantin boutiques only 
Price: Price on request

Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon “Tribute to Art Deco Style”
Ref. 6520C/000R-085C

Diameter: 44 mm
Height: 13.50 mm
Material: 18k pink gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: Not available

Movement: Cal. 2755 TMR
Functions: Hours, minutes, tourbillon, small seconds and minute repeater 
Winding: Manual-winding
Frequency: 18,000 beats per hour (2.5 Hz)
Power reserve: 58 hours

Strap: Alligator strap with folding clasp

Limited edition: Unique piece
Availability: Available at Vacheron Constantin boutiques only 
Price: Price on request

Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon “Tribute to Art Deco Style”
Ref. 9860C/000J-090C

Diameter: 45 mm
Height: 20.10 mm
Material: 18k yellow gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: Not available

Movement: Cal. 1990
Functions: Retrograde hours and minutes, small seconds and armillary tourbillon
Winding: Manual-winding
Frequency: 18,000 beats per hour (2.5 Hz)
Power reserve: 58 hours

Strap: Alligator strap with folding clasp

Limited edition: Unique piece
Availability: Available at Vacheron Constantin boutiques only 
Price: Price on request

Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Malte Tourbillon “Tribute to Haussmannian Style”
Ref. 30135/000R-089C

Diameter: 41.5 by 38 mm
Height: 12.7 mm
Material: 18k yellow gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: Not available

Movement: Cal. 2790 SQ
Functions: Hours, minutes, date, small seconds and tourbillon
Winding: Manual-winding
Frequency: 18,000 beats per hour (2.5 Hz)
Power reserve: 45 hours

Strap: Alligator strap with folding clasp

Limited edition: Unique piece
Availability: Available at Vacheron Constantin boutiques only 
Price: Price on request

For more, visit vacheron-constantin.com.