Vacheron Constantin Combines The Holy Trinity Of Watchmaking Into A Single Watch With The Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface

Bringing together a minute repeater, a split-seconds chronograph, and a tourbillon regulator in a single wristwatch is a horological feat very few have dared attempt—let alone successfully achieved. With the Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface, Vacheron Constantin not only tackles this complex triad, but elevates it to a level of mechanical poetry, where engineering, acoustics, and artistry harmonise in spectacular fashion.

At the heart of this timepiece lies Calibre 2757 S, a movement that represents years of cumulative innovation and centuries of savoir-faire. Housing 696 components, the calibre embodies the Maison’s continuous drive to refine traditional complications through modern techniques. Every element has been miniaturised, optimised, and hand-finished—showcasing not just mechanical mastery, but also the brand’s dedication to Haute Horlogerie in its purest form.

An Extremely Rare Combination

As Christian Selmoni, Vacheron Constantin’s Style and Heritage Director, points out, it’s uncommon to see a minute repeater paired with a chronograph—especially one with a rattrapante function—in a wristwatch. The space constraints of a wristwatch case make it a less-than-ideal platform for these highly volumetric and sonically sensitive complications. Add a tourbillon to the mix, and you’re looking at a trifecta of engineering challenges: vertical clearance, acoustic resonance, and energy management. This combination has traditionally been better suited to pocket watches—but that’s precisely what makes this wristwatch so extraordinary.

The decision to open up the dial with a sapphire construction isn’t just aesthetic—it’s educational. It invites the wearer into the intricate theatre of mechanical motion, with a clear view of the tourbillon’s ballet at 6 o’clock and the coaxial split-seconds chronograph hands dancing across the dial. The architecture is immersive, revealing layers of gears, levers, wheels, and bridges, all choreographed into a cohesive performance of timekeeping at its finest. The case, in 45mm 5N pink gold, frames this transparent masterpiece, while the dial—just 0.5 mm thick—displays a rich play of frosted and polished finishes. Applied gold rings, grey NAC-treated markers, and green PVD-coated aluminium hands are complemented by a matching green alligator strap, enhancing both visibility and visual drama.

A Legacy of Complication, Evolved

The movement itself is not without precedent. Vacheron Constantin’s history is deeply entwined with high complications, stretching back over two centuries. From a gold quarter-repeating pocket watch recorded in 1806 to its modern masterpieces like the Reference 57260—the most complicated watch ever made—the Maison has constantly redefined the boundaries of mechanical ingenuity.

The roots of the split-seconds chronograph reach back to the early 19th century, when Vacheron Constantin swiftly integrated this emerging mechanism into pocket chronographs. Meanwhile, the minute repeater’s presence in the brand’s DNA dates back to 1827, culminating in ever-slimmer and more musically refined iterations, like the ultra-thin Reference 4261 or the chiming marvels of the modern era. Tourbillons, too, have been part of the Maison’s vocabulary since 1901. But recent interpretations have ventured into new dimensions—literally—with multi-axis versions such as the Tourbillon Armillaire and the triple-axis construction in the Berkeley Grand Complication.

Pushing the Limits of Innovation

With Calibre 2757 S, these historical threads converge into a single, remarkably efficient mechanism. Despite the density of complications, the movement is just 10.4 mm high and 33.3 mm in diameter. Achieving this required both traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge material science. Key components were crafted in titanium, nickel-phosphorus, aluminium, and silicon—each chosen for specific mechanical properties like rigidity, friction resistance, and weight reduction. The result is a chronograph that’s more efficient, less energy-intensive, and capable of maintaining a 50-hour power reserve even with the chronograph running.

A dual column-wheel system ensures crisp chronograph operation. One pusher at 2 o’clock handles start/stop/reset functions, while another at 4 o’clock controls the rattrapante mechanism—allowing for split-time measurement with surgical precision.

Silence, Sound, and the Science of Resonance

The minute repeater benefits from an ingenious flying strike governor, a component that uses centripetal braking to regulate the cadence of the chimes without adding any distracting noise. The mechanism is not only silent but also elegant—two flyweights gently apply resistance to balance the spring’s energy, ensuring a rhythm that is smooth, resonant, and precise.

This level of acoustic refinement is especially difficult to achieve in a watch so densely packed with mechanical components. Yet Vacheron Constantin’s solution preserves the clarity and purity of sound—an audible testimony to their mastery of the striking complication. At the 6 o’clock position, the tourbillon regulator serves as both functional marvel and visual centerpiece. Its spherical hairspring expands and contracts in perfectly concentric fashion, significantly improving timekeeping accuracy by eliminating the gravitational biases that typically plague traditional flat springs. The tourbillon cage, shaped like the Maison’s Maltese Cross emblem, completes one rotation every 60 seconds, while a small seconds hand is mounted directly on its axis.

Hand-Finishing as a Form of Art

If the mechanical achievements are remarkable, the finishing elevates the watch into the realm of art. Every surface of the movement has been hand-decorated using traditional techniques: beveling, polishing, engraving, frosting, graining, and more. Even the wheels—some made of titanium—are meticulously polished, a task requiring custom tools and extraordinary patience. The caseback reveals additional decoration, with blackened bridges hand-sandblasted and mirror-polished, and jewel sinks chamfered to perfection. A semi-circular bridge securing the strike governor is hand-polished to a mirror finish—an eight-hour job in itself—and bears the engraved initials JMV, honouring Jean-Marc Vacheron.

In the spirit of the 18th-century cabinotiers, this timepiece was entrusted to a single master watchmaker who oversaw the entire process: finishing, assembly, adjustment, and casing. It’s not just a timepiece, but a legacy—carried forward one masterpiece at a time.