Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin's Platinum Skeleton Minute Repeater

 

I think we can all agree that 2005 was one of the most important years in Vacheron Constantinâ??s 258 years as a going concern. That year the brand flexed its muscles as a manufacture with a series of limited edition watches with in-house movements that still impress almost a decade later (Tour de lâ??Ile, St. Gervais, and Jubile 1755 among others). These movements are still with us today in modified form in the Patrimony Traditionnelle Calibre 2755, Patrimony Traditionnelle  Calibre 2253, Patrimony Traditionnelle 14 day tourbillon, and Quai de lâ??Ile Day-Date-Power Reserve. How could Vacheron Constantin follow up on the anniversary collection without disappointing its fans?

The brand had a couple of tricks up its sleeve. One was the redesign of the Overseas collection, Vacheron Constantinâ??s most affordable series of watches, with larger diameter and a new complication (Dual Time). Another was the introduction of the limited edition Malte Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater, comprising 30 pieces using the last set of Calibre 1755 minute repeater movements the brand possessed. Another was to focus on platinum as a material for its watches. First there was the introduction of the Excellence Platine collection, the first two models being the Patrimony Contemporaine:

and the Malte Chronograph:


This Excellence Platine collection continues to do well, averaging one new model per year.

Second, a pair of openworked platinum pieces were introduced. The first was the Malte Retrograding Perpetual Calendar:


and the second (Iâ??m saving the best for last) was the skeleton minute repeater.


This limited edition of 15 pieces represented the last production run of the basic minute repeater that Vacheron Constantin had started making in 1993, based on the rare renowned vintage minute repeaters from the 1940â??s-1960â??s.

The platinum case is 37 mm in diameter and features the iconic tear drop lugs that were present on many of the vintage models that were its inspiration. The slide to activate the chiming mechanism is discretely placed on the 9 oâ??clock side of the case.


The calibre 1755 consists of 330 parts, and is only 3.30 mm thick. The view through the sapphire crystal dial shows the beautifully fashioned racks that track the hours and minutes and program how many chimes are needed when the repeater is engaged.


The case back shows the gongs and hammers along with the gear train.


All parts are beautifully finished, and the decorative engraving of the wheels and bridges is phenomenal.

The sound quality is lovely, with good resonance and tone, and audible in a quiet room. I did not record the sound.

Vacheron Constantin has long been admired for both its repeating watches and for the beauty of its skeletonized timepieces. This Cabinotiers Skeleton Minute Repeater combines the best of  Vacheron Constantinâ??s expertise in complicated watchmaking with its unmatched artistic expression. It was a privilege to get the chance to spend some time with this watch, and I want to thank the owner for allowing me to share the watch with the forum.

Bill Lind
VC Forum Moderator

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