Traditionnelle tourbillon: a contemporary take on classical design

Source:  Images and content by Vacheron Constantin

• An ultra-thin self-winding movement driving a tourbillon regulator, in-house Calibre 2160/1 with peripheral rotor, barely 5.65 mm thick.
• A sunburst green dial magnified by the gleam of the platinum.
• A blend of technology and aesthetics, tradition and modernity.

Tradition and contemporary aesthetics: the new Traditionnelle tourbillon watch embodies a perfectly balanced expression of this alliance. Epitomising horological expertise with its tourbillon regulator integrated within the ultra-thin Calibre 2160/1, it opts for a sunburst deep green dial beautifully framed by a 950 platinum case.

A new face

The new Traditionnelle tourbillon watch appearing in a 41 mm-diameter platinum case features a majestic sunburst green dial. This original colour obtained by galvanic treatment endows the model with depth and intensity, enlivening the gleaming whiteness of the noble metal with brightly shimmering reflections. The contrast is further enhanced by the white gold baton-type hour-markers and Dauphine-style hands, while the deep green strap picks up the dial colour. “The Traditionnelle collection embodies the full measure of Vacheron Constantin’s watchmaking legitimacy“, explains Christian Selmoni, Director of Style and Heritage. “It conveys both history and tradition through precise stylistic codes corresponding to an aesthetic that remains timeless however complex the mechanisms. With this new dial colour, Vacheron Constantin is pursuing its contemporary vision of the classical approach to design.”

A traditional calibre

The intrinsic elegance of this new Traditionnelle tourbillon also stems from the slenderness of the case, itself enabled by ultra-thin self-winding in-house Calibre 2160/1 measuring only 5.65 mm thick. This thinness is the result of perfect technical mastery, especially since this calibre incorporates a tourbillon regulator mechanism designed to compensate for the effects of gravity on the isochronism of the balance-spring.

To clearly understand how it operates, this regulator has been set to a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz). This relatively slow tempo often found in historical pocket watches provides an opportunity to appreciate at leisure the tourbillon’s mechanical ballet. The show that can be admired through the sapphire crystal caseback is enhanced by the movement’s structure incorporating a peripheral rotor. The latter reduces the thickness of the calibre as well as ensuring a comfortable 80-hour power reserve.

The movement finishing reflects the same quest for perfection, with a circular-grained baseplate appearing on the dial side and hand-bevelled bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève on the caseback. The tourbillon, with its Maltese cross-shaped carriage bearing the small seconds indicated by a blackened screw, demonstrates the same attention to detail. Its suspension bar has been delicately polished in an entirely hand-crafted operation consisting of filing and then polishing the material to obtain a conical and semi-cylindrical shape.

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Summary

With its sunburst deep green dial, the new Traditionnelle tourbillon 41 mm watch in 950 platinum adopts a contemporary face perfectly complementing its classic design. Enhanced by an alligator leather strap in the same colour, this hue endows the model with both depth and majesty. Powered by ultra-thin self-winding in-house Calibre 2160/1, this model displays the hours and minutes with central hands, while the small seconds appear at 6 o’clock on the tourbillon.

With its 22K gold peripheral rotor guaranteeing the slenderness of the movement as well as an unobstructed view of its operation, the Traditionnelle tourbillon watch represents a perfect bridge between classic aesthetics and contemporary design.

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TECHNICAL DATA

Reference                                                  
6000T/000P-H025

Calibre                                                       
2160/1
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, self-winding, peripheral rotor
31 mm (13½’’’) diameter, 5.65 mm thick
Approximately 80 hours of power reserve
2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour)
188 components
30 jewels                          
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece

Indications                                                
Hours, minutes, small seconds on tourbillon carriage (coloured screw)
Tourbillon

Case                                                           
950 platinum
41 mm diameter, 10.4 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)

Dial                                                             
Deep green color, sunburst finishing
18K white gold hour-markers and hours, minutes hands

Strap                                                          
Deep green Mississippiensis alligator leather strap with alligator leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales

Clasp                                                          
950 platinum folding clasp                                                                    
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped