Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-Day Tourbillon Openworked
The 14-day tourbillon is something of a modern Vacheron Constantin classic, and today we have for you the most superlative edition yet, the Openworked in a platinum case. The calibre 2260 SQP was designed from the beginning in layers to really show off the openworking at each level and the results are nothing short of astounding. Although the skeletonizing is ornate, it still has a very modern masculine feel to it and every component, no matter how small, seems to bear some little flourish or finish that catches the eye. Here's a full in-depth look at this brand new marvel from Vacheron, live from SIHH 2014.
Back Of The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-Day Tourbillon Openworked
It was less than a year ago that the first Vacheron Constantin 14-day tourbillon entered the United States and only a few months ago that the fake watch was released in a platinum limited edition. But Vacheron has wasted no time stepping things up to another level with the Openworked. You still have the four-barrel movement with 14 days of power reserve, the one-minute tourbillon with maltese cross cage at 6 o'clock, and the off-center hours/minutes track on the round dial. But then there's all that decoration.
A Closer Look At The Decoration Of The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-Day Tourbillon Openworked
Instead of following the traditional methods of skeletonizing, Vacheron decided on an approach it's calling "shapes within shapes," meaning that the flow of lines is interrupted and changed through the use of ornate engravings that keep the eye moving around the movement. You can see here around the center wheel and the "Vacheron Constantin" signature just how many angles and competing lines there are, most of which just lead you to other lines instead of to a finished edge.
Dial Of The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-Day Tourbillon Openworked
Although the 42mm case is platinum, the hour markers are white gold and sit on a dark slate grey ring that gives some nice contrast for the movement. The layout is exactly the same as what you'll find on the other 14-Day Tourbillons, with the power reserve located at 12 o'clock and the subseconds sitting in the tourbillon at 6 o'clock. It does look like reading this fake watch at a glance might be a little difficult, but, let's be honest, that's not at all what this fake watch is about.
The 2260 SQP requires an additional 40 hours of hand-engraving and 10 hours of chamfering and hand drawing over the comparable solid base calibre. Tolerances here are extremely low and often must be within 1/10th of a millimeter. This is highly skilled artisan work and something that many manufactures can't handle in-house. In contrast, Vacheron has been handling decoration and metiers d'art in-house for over two and a half centuries. This is a style of fake watch with some history at Vacheron, not just a novelty for 2014.
Vacheron Constantin Calibre 2260 SQP
Did we mention that this fake watch bears the Geneva Hallmark too? Well, it does.
The price of the Patrimony Traditionelle 14-Day Tourbillon Openworked is yet to be announced, but with the solid platinum example running $323,500, we expect a pretty substantial price tag on this watch. Visit Vacheron Constantin for more.
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