Leave it to the brand and find an excuse to launch a limited edition celebration. Most famous milestones feel unnatural at best. Not so with Vacheron Constantin. After all, if you’re in business, if there’s consistency, I might add – for 270 years you’ve really got something to celebrate. The brand is embracing the celebratory mood, so this year we’ll get plenty of special editions. One of them is here today. This is the Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar.
This is for a lucky few. Prices are available upon request as only 127 units are produced. Still, it doesn’t stop us from enjoying it. I got a practical opportunity, and here is how we got along well.
Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Tourbillon Permanent Calendar
You have to love a good descriptive name, right? That’s what Vacheron offers to the Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar. Simply put, this is a permanent calendar with tour billons underneath the traditional lines of the watch. This 950 Platinum production is 42mm thick and 11.1mm. Yes, it will be a rather thick watch, but there are a lot in there to guarantee that percentage.
The dial features a 270th anniversary guillo cage that we saw in some recent introductions. This pattern constitutes the Maltese cross at 7:30, with a straight line radiating throughout the dial. Of course, Vacheron’s craftsmen cut patterns on the Rose engine, which they were manually operated. This pattern appears to be rather noticeable in the time-only version, but here it blends well with the Bussy Dial.
Inside, check the brand new caliber 2162 QP/270. This automatic movement uses peripheral rotors to allow for an unobstructed view of movement. With a 324-part caliber beating at just 2.5Hz, you can easily view the spinning tour bellon while maintaining a 72-hour power reserve. The perpetual calendar is located on three sub-dials: 3, 9, and 12. A small opening in the dial shows the year of the jump. Vacheron applies a very narrow, swirling striped coat degeneve to its anniversary model.
Traditionelle, but not old fashioned
Now, imagine you’ve been in your job for 270 years. Next, imagine developing a watch called “Traditionelle” to celebrate. That’s because all the pieces are pretty old, right? Well, Vacheron has no signs of 270 itching. The Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calender cleverly combines traditional watchmaking with more modern design clues. The results are refreshing and inspirational.
I went to the record saying that I am not a huge fan of celebration dial sculptures. But I have to admit that they work much better in the Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar than the third one. This pattern somehow brings together many of the elements of its complications as a binding agent of some kind. I like it!
There’s more I like. For example, the applied index on a flat top feels like a more modern and calm alternative to the rooftop version. The typography gives it a modern and fresh feel, especially in this sans-serif style printed in blue. The muscular case neatly offsets the very traditional look of the phone and Tour Billon. Overall, I think this is a very successful blend of modern times and tradition.
Wearing a Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar
Another completely modern aspect is the size of the Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar. At 42mm, this watch is worn large. A strong lug helps to emphasize prominent posture on the wrist. I’m sure this will sit well with most brand customers, but I hope it will be smaller. For me, some of the artistic refinements of such high-end watchmaking can’t be appreciated so easily on this scale.
For example, you can see it with your hand. The hand at that moment is a gagantuan. At the same time, it offers a lot of presence to the Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Tourbillon’s lasting calendar. Imagine this with a platinum weight on your wrist. It makes you feel like you can control the world.
Still, it does not become crude. The overall design is very classy and elegant, so a slightly larger proportion doesn’t ruin it. Praise, Vacheron Constantin! This is another 270 years!
