Vacheron Constantin Goes Big For 270 Years: An Impressive Lineup Where Myth, Art And Mechanics Collide

Time has a way of humbling even the most enduring of institutions and yet, for Vacheron Constantin, it has always been an ally. As the world’s oldest continuously operating watch manufacture turns 270, the Maison doesn’t just mark another milestone. It celebrates a philosophy of patience, mastery, and artistic pursuit that has transcended generations. This anniversary is not merely a commemoration; it is a grand declaration of horological evolution, told through exceptional timepieces that embody centuries of savoir-faire and a relentless quest for beauty.

At the heart of this celebration lies La Quête, a poetic theme running through the anniversary creations a nod to exploration, both celestial and human. From astronomical marvels to artistic tributes, every watch unveiled for this milestone year encapsulates the Maison’s soul: where technique meets transcendence.

Les Cabinotiers Grand Complication High Jewellery – Moon Dust

Vacheron Constantin celebrates its 270th anniversary with an ode to cosmic exploration, artistry, and mechanical genius and the Les Cabinotiers Grand Complication High Jewellery – Moon Dust is at the heart of it all. This double-sided, one-of-a-kind creation marks the beginning of a new series titled La Quête (The Quest), honouring the Maison’s eternal fascination with astronomy.

Crafted entirely in 18K white gold, the Moon Dust brings together three of the manufacture’s most intricate métiers gem-setting, engraving, and guillochage in a spectacular interpretation of a journey from Earth to the Moon. Its 47 mm case shimmers with 200 baguette-cut and 165 brilliant-cut diamonds, snow-set and rail-set to evoke the glimmer of moon dust itself, requiring more than 230 hours of setting work. The case middle is engraved with taille-douce detailing, depicting celestial rays and planetary vistas, while the dial’s guilloché radiance mirrors the infinite expanse of the cosmos.

Inside beats the Calibre 2755 GC16 a hand-wound manufacture movement housing 16 complications, including a minute repeater, tourbillon regulator, perpetual calendar, equation of time, sunrise and sunset times, sidereal time, and a moon age display. Comprising 839 components, this calibre measures 33.9 mm in diameter, 12.15 mm thick, beats at 18,000 vph, and offers a 58-hour power reserve. The Maltese cross–shaped tourbillon cage completes one rotation per minute, doubling as a small seconds display.

The front dial reveals the tourbillon at 6 o’clock beneath the perpetual calendar indicators, while the reverse side transforms into a poetic map of the heavens a rotating sidereal-time disc engraved with Northern Hemisphere constellations, zodiac signs, solstice and equinox markers, and a hand-tracked date scale. Together, these functions create a three-dimensional reading of cosmic time, bridging science and art with extraordinary precision.

Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon – Tribute to Astronomy

Vacheron Constantin continues its 270th anniversary celebrations with a remarkable single-piece edition under the new Les Cabinotiers “La Quête” series. The Armillary Tourbillon – Myth of the Pleiades is crafted in 18K rose gold, its case fully engraved and set with ten diamonds representing the constellation’s stars. Inspired by the Greek myth of the Seven Sisters and the celestial bull Taurus, the watch celebrates humanity’s fascination with the cosmos and ancient navigation. Every inch of its 20 mm-high case is hand-engraved in bas-relief, depicting Orion, the ship Argos, sea creatures, and celestial symbols. The engraver and gem-setter spent 450 hours sculpting these mythological scenes, alternating between polished and chased finishes to create lifelike depth and brilliance.

At the heart of this masterpiece lies the hand-wound Calibre 1990, a manufacture movement derived from the historic Ref. 57260 and protected by four patents. It features bi-retrograde hours and minutes, with hands made of titanium for optimal lightness and precision. The mechanism performs instantaneous retrograde jumps at midday and midnight, while the bi-axial armillary tourbillon at 9 o’clock, rotating on two axes every 15 seconds, forms a Maltese cross pattern a nod to Vacheron Constantin’s emblem. Equipped with a spherical balance spring for superior isochronism and an escapement using a titanium anchor and diamond pallets, the movement beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour and offers a 60-hour power reserve. The open-worked dial reveals circular satin finishes, blued screws, and a dual retrograde track combining Roman and Arabic numerals, showcasing both technical and artistic mastery.

On the reverse, hand-bevelled bridges with horizontal Côtes de Genève reflect Vacheron Constantin’s meticulous finishing, while the case sides narrate the myth of the Pleiades inspired by 17th-century astronomer Johannes Hevelius. Each diamond marking the stars is individually bezel-set in precise astronomical alignment. The bezel, lugs, and caseback feature wave-like champlevé engravings in Hellenic style, demanding near-microscopic accuracy from the engraver. With its fusion of horological innovation and artistic craft, the Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon – Myth of the Pleiades is both a tribute to ancient skywatchers and a defining expression of the Maison’s relentless pursuit of excellence.

Les Cabinotiers Dual Moon Grand Complication

In a poetic dialogue between the heavens and horology, the Les Cabinotiers Dual Moon Grand Complication brings together the artistry of enamel and the precision of high complication. The watch showcases twin moonphase displays one for each hemisphere rendered in remarkable astronomical accuracy.

Powered by a hand-wound calibre featuring minute repeater, perpetual calendar, and moonphase indications, this model celebrates humanity’s eternal fascination with lunar cycles. The dial, executed in deep blue enamel, captures the nocturnal allure of time, while the meticulously decorated movement inside pays tribute to the brand’s centuries-old dedication to celestial timekeeping.

Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication - Homage to Ptolemy and Copernicus

Vacheron Constantin continues its celestial odyssey with two single-piece editions of the Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication – Homage to Ptolemy and Copernicus. Each double-sided masterpiece houses the Calibre 3600, a manufacture movement with 514 components and 23 astronomical complications, built after five years of development. Measuring just 8.7 mm thick, this hand-wound calibre represents a triumph of miniaturisation and complexity, displaying three distinct times—civil, solar, and sidereal—each powered by its own gear train. The front dial, crafted in 18K white or pink gold, shows a running equation of time, perpetual calendar (programmed until 2100), precision moon phase requiring correction only once every 122 years, sunrise and sunset times, zodiac and solstice indicators, and a rare mareoscope tide display. On the reverse, sidereal time unfolds across a celestial map with two superimposed sapphire discs, alongside a tourbillon shaped as a Maltese cross, a three-week power reserve, and six barrels mounted in series.

Each watch also pays tribute to the great astronomers who shaped humanity’s understanding of the cosmos. The Ptolemy edition portrays the geocentric model, with Earth fixed at the centre, while the Copernicus edition depicts the heliocentric system, with the Sun radiating at the heart. The astronomical displays evoke humankind’s evolving grasp of time, from the cycles of day and night to the precision of celestial mechanics. With the equation of time, solar and sidereal indications, and tourbillon regulating system, Vacheron Constantin transforms the poetry of planetary motion into a horological symphony of precision and beauty.

The artistry matches the engineering. Using the champlevé engraving technique, the engraver hollows the metal to depths as fine as one-tenth of a millimetre before hand-chasing and polishing each surface. On the Ptolemy version, elliptical planetary orbits wrap seamlessly from the bezel onto the lugs, while on the Copernicus model, the Sun-shaped crown and radiating planetary paths evoke the heliocentric revolution. Each engraving—requiring 240 hours of meticulous craftsmanship—renders planets in domed relief and textured finishes, producing a cosmic panorama that celebrates both the science and art of time itself.

Les Cabinotiers Homage to Epic Warriors Minute Repeater

Four single-piece masterpieces each a tribute to a legendary warrior form one of the crown jewels of Vacheron Constantin’s 270th-anniversary collection. The Les Cabinotiers Homage to Epic Warriors Minute Repeater series celebrates Alexander the Great, Antar ibn Shaddad, Genghis Khan, and Sasaki Moritsuna. These aren’t just watches; they are miniature odysseys in gold, enamel, and sound.

Each 41 mm watch features a case and dial crafted from 18K 2N or 3N yellow gold, meticulously engraved and painted to capture its hero in a defining moment. The dials are miniature masterpieces of grand feu enamel, set against engraved backgrounds that play with light through matt and polished textures each taking more than 120 hours to complete.

Beating within is the Hallmark of Geneva–certified Calibre 1731 an ultra-thin manual-winding minute repeater with just 3.9 mm of thickness yet comprising 265 components. With a 65-hour power reserve, a flying strike governor for silent regulation, and crystal-clear chimes, the calibre embodies Vacheron Constantin’s mastery of acoustics and mechanics. Even unseen parts, like the Maltese cross-shaped governor, bear the Maison’s finishing signature. These watches are not just tributes to ancient warriors they are meditations on courage, precision, and human artistry. Each one is a singular piece, uniting watchmaking and storytelling in a way only Vacheron Constantin can.

Les Cabinotiers The Labours of Heracles

The Maison’s 270th anniversary is marked by a remarkable new series within ‘La Quête,’ titled Les Cabinotiers The Labours of Heracles. This collection pays homage to the Greco-Roman demi-god Heracles through four single-piece editions, each depicting one of his twelve legendary labours. The watches unite Grand Feu enamel miniature painting and hand-engraving, bringing ancient myth to life with unparalleled detail and emotion.

Set in 40mm 18K white gold cases, each watch is powered by the Calibre 1120 AT, a self-winding manufacture movement featuring a satellite hour display and fixed minute scale. The ingenious wandering hour mechanism uses three carousels tipped with hour numerals that glide gracefully across a 120-degree arc, indicating minutes as they pass. Beneath the artistry lies an ultra-thin movement certified by the Poinçon de Genève, boasting exquisite finishes—perlage, Côtes de Genève, and sunray brushing—alongside a 22K gold oscillating weight engraved with a Greek frieze motif created using a traditional tapestry machine from 1904.

Each dial is a two-level 18K white gold composition: the lower half features a hand-engraved 17th-century map of Greece rendered in translucent enamel, while the upper section depicts a scene from Heracles’ labours through miniature enamel painting and micro-sculpture. The hero’s figure, carved from 18K white gold, appears almost alive, caught mid-motion in a struggle with mythological beasts. The enamelling and engraving processes together require over 100 hours of meticulous craftsmanship per dial.

Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Horse

Honouring its historic connection with China, Vacheron Constantin unveils the latest addition to its Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac collection: The Year of the Horse. Presented in two 25-piece limited editions in 950 platinum or 18K 5N pink gold, these watches celebrate the artistry of engraving, miniature enamelling, and mechanical ingenuity.

Since 1846, Vacheron Constantin has maintained close ties with China, delivering exquisitely decorated timepieces that merged Eastern symbolism with Western craftsmanship. This latest creation continues that legacy, marking the second cycle of the Maison’s Chinese Zodiac series, which began in 2012. The horse, a symbol of vitality, elegance, and success, takes centre stage in this edition, galloping across the dial in a powerful yet graceful stance.

Technical Brilliance: Calibre 2460 G4

The hands-free display of the in-house Calibre 2460 G4 provides an expansive stage for artistic expression. Hours, minutes, day, and date appear through four peripheral apertures, leaving the dial unobstructed. Containing 237 components within a 31mm diameter and just 6.05mm thickness, this self-winding movement offers a 40-hour power reserve. The 22K gold oscillating weight, engraved with a Maltese Cross motif, reflects the exceptional finishing that meets the standards of the Hallmark of Geneva.

Each dial is a poetic fusion of grand feu enamel, miniature painting, and relief engraving. The central motif—a horse leaping over a rock—appears alive against a richly detailed enamel backdrop, symbolising strength and freedom. The dial’s gradient enamel tones transition from light to deep hues, requiring multiple firings at over 800°C. The hand-engraved horse, sculpted from white or pink gold, undergoes patination and enamel detailing to bring depth and dimension. The result is a dial that takes over two weeks to complete. Complementing these works of art are alligator leather straps blue for the platinum edition and brown for the pink gold version each harmonising perfectly with the dial’s tones.

Tradition Meets Tomorrow

Across its 270th-anniversary collection, Vacheron Constantin reaffirms its dual identity as both guardian of horological tradition and pioneer of modern expression. From the meticulous enamel artistry of Les Cabinotiers Homage to Epic Warriors to the cosmic complexity of its astronomical timepieces, the Maison demonstrates that mastery is not static. Rather it evolves, refines, and dares. As CEO Louis Ferla has often said, “Vacheron Constantin does not measure its heritage in years, but in ideas.” And indeed, at 270, the Maison is not merely celebrating the past it is charting the constellations of its future.