VACHERON CONSTANTIN

Tour de L'ile

Of all the wristwatches imagined and produced by Vacheron Constantin to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the Tour de l'Ile is a study in superlatives. Calling this a "Grande Complication" model is a dramatic understatement: it is infact the world's most complex watch ever made, with its original combination of 16 complications that can be read off on a double-face display. Not less than 834 parts housed within a case measuring 47 mm in diameter, this extremely complex movement has been granted the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. A patent has been filed to protect its double-face display module. The gold case with its hand-soldered lugs is distinguished by a symmetrical double protuberance on either side of the bezel. To action the minute repeater mechanism, Vacheron Constantin has resolutely chosen the path of innovation: the double projection in the shape of catches on the watch bezel enables optimal winding of the mechanism by spreading the force between the thumb and the forefinger, considerably facilitating the operation.

Front Display:

Observing the hand-guilloché silvered yellow gold dial one can see the finesse and graceful elegance of the 60-second tourbillon that stands out at 6 o'clock, while the moon phase appears in a blue sky carrying a hand-engraved gold moon. To its right, a smaller subdial with a small blued hand indicates the torque of the striking-mechanism, i.e. the state of winding of the minute repeater mechanism. In addition to the hour and minute hands running over a slightly off-centred minute circle, the main dial on the front side features a power-reserve display in a segment at 9 o'clock, along with the applied and handengraved Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. At this stage of observation, 6 complications are easily apparent on a balanced dial ensuring perfect legibility of the information provided, as well as perfectly mastered aesthetics.

Back Display:

The back, a fine match for the front, thanks to a wealth of fascinating, subtle and surprising information, is arranged in an aesthetically pleasing manner. On the upper part, the dials of the perpetual calendar, arranged in a triangle, display the days of the week, the months and the date from left to right. A small aperture at 1 o'clock signals the leap years. In the dial centre, a blued hand sweeps over a small segment dedicated to the equation of time (the observable running difference between mean or real time and that displayed on clocks and divided for practical purposes into equal sections). Two other astronomical indications are shown by hands moving over two segments at 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock: sunrise and sunset times. Calculations have been made for the latitude and longitude of Geneva. One then reaches the climax of this guided tour, moving towards the peak of perfection with an extremely precise sky chart: that of the Northern hemisphere. This complication thus depicts the starlit sky in real time, meaning you might also see it in broad daylight.

This miniature horological marvel will be produced in a strictly limited edition of just seven watches (Five crafted in 18-carat pink gold). Each of the watches will be personalised with a unique and exclusive guilloché motif on the back dial, for each of the seven owners of this truly extraordinary masterpiece summing up 250 years of Vacheron Constantin's history.