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SIHH 2011: Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine Perpetual Calendar

Patrimony Contemporaine Perpetual Calendar

Elegant complication

The emblematic Patrimony Contemporaine collection welcomes a stellar complication in 2011: the perpetual calendar. Housing the legendary Calibre 1120 QP, a mechanical self-winding movement stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva, the Patrimony Contemporaine Perpetual Calendar ultra-thin model reveals the inherent elegance and finesse of Vacheron Constantin.

A useful and sophisticated major complication is enriching the Patrimony Contempoarine collection by Vacheron Constantin. Beating to the rhythm of the legendary Calibre 1120 QP – acknowledged by connoisseurs as one of the most iconic perpetual calendar movements – the latest addition to the range will be able to keep track of all the vagaries of the calendar and require no correction whatsoever until March 1^st 2100.

Unlike simple calendar mechanisms that require manual correction after each month with less than 31 days, the perpetual calendar takes account of the leap-year cycle with its months of 31, 30 or 28 days, and the quadrennial return of February 29^th. Since the movement must be mechanically adjusted to take account of the irregular nature of our calendar, this sophisticated function calls for considerable prowess in terms of miniaturisation. An indispensable prerequisite for integrating the calendar functions, this miniaturisation was pushed to the limit in order to create an ultra-thin perpetual calendar movement such as Vacheron Constantin’s Calibre 1120 QP which measures a mere 4.05 mm thick.

A golden moon in a lapis lazuli sky

This automatic movement bearing the Hallmark of Geneva is equipped with an oscillating weight featuring the particularly meticulous finishing that is the signature of fine watchmaking. Beating at a frequency of 2.75 Hz (19,800 vibrations per hour), it has an approximately 40-hour power reserve. Calibre 1120 QP drives indications of the hours, minutes and perpetual calendar featuring the day of the week in a subdial at 9 o’clock, the date in a subdial at 3 o’clock, the month and leap year on a 48-month subdial at 12 o’clock, and the moon phase at 6 o’clock.

Such a miniaturised mechanical marvel deserved a truly worthy stage-setting. Characterised by taut lines, a sleek profile, slender trapeze-shaped hour-markers, baton hands, a cambered dial and a minute track beaded with gold cabochons, the new Perpetual Calendar model by Vacheron Constantin features all the distinctive characteristics of the Patrimony Contemporaine collection. Beneath the opaline silvered dial, the lunar disc portrays a golden moon set against a lapis lazuli sky. The 41 mm-diameter 18K pink gold case is water-resistant to 30 metres and fitted with a sapphire crystal back revealing Calibre 1120 QP. The Patrimony Contemporaine Perpetual Calendar is equipped with an alligator leather strap secured by an 18K pink gold folding clasp.

Hitherto available exclusively in an admirable openworked version belonging to the Patrimony Traditionnelle collection, the perpetual calendar finds an elegant new form of expression in the Patrimony Contemporaine collection, entirely in harmony with the classic spirit and fine craftsmanship that have forged Vacheron Constantin’s reputation for excellence for over 250 years.

Technical Data

Reference                                 43175/000R-9687

                                                Patrimony Contemporaine perpetual calendar

Calibre                                      1120 QP, Vacheron Constantin

                                                Stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva

Energy                                      Mechanical, self-winding

Movement diameter                   29.60 mm (12’’’ ½)

Movement thickness                  4.05 mm

Jewels                                      36        

Frequency                                 2.75Hz (19’800 Vibrations/hour)

Indications                                Hours, minutes,

Perpetual calendar (day of the week, date, month, leap years with 48-month counter)

Power reserve                          Approximately 40 hours

Case                                         18K 5N Pink gold

                                                41 mm in diameter

                                                Open-worked back with transparent sapphire crystal

Water-Resistance                      3 bar (about 30 meters)

Dial                                          Silver-tones opaline dial

                                                Convex external zone with circular grained minute-track

                                                8 applied bâton-shaped and 4 applied triangle-shaped hour-markers in 18K 5N pink gold

Strap                                        Brown hand-stitched, saddle-finished, large square-scaled Mississippiensis alligator leather

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