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Five
years of development starting from a blank page, a dedicated
master-watchmaker, along with two years of design, have given life to
the one-of-a-kind L
es Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600, displaying
23 complications
on its twin dials. This Haute Horlogerie ‘heavenly phenomenon’ is one
of the most complex ever made and heir to a proud lineage of
astronomical timepieces. Astronomy, the study of celestial objects, is
closely bound up with horology. The former seeks to explain the origins,
evolution and properties of heavenly bodies. The latter strives to
capture and mechanically express the course of time and its perpetual
dance with the stars – a challenge successfully met in this watch
providing a combined display of civil, solar and sidereal times by means
of three separate gear trains.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
A remarkable feat of miniaturisation and engineering, the new
Vacheron Constantin Caliber 3600 – an integrated movement comprising
514-part while measuring just 8.7mm thick – controls more than
20 functions
and has a three-week power reserve. It is yet another vivid
demonstration of the technical expertise cultivated by the Maison in the
field of astronomical complications.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
A remarkable feat of miniaturisation and engineering, the new
Vacheron Constantin Caliber 3600 – an integrated movement comprising
514-part while measuring just 8.7 mm thick – controls more than
20
functions and has a three- week power reserve. It is yet another vivid
demonstration of the technical expertise cultivated by the Maison in the
field of astronomical complications. This expertise dates back to the
late
19th century, with pocket-watches featuring a perpetual calendar, moon phases and sidereal time; and later, in
1914, equipped with a running equation of time display. More recent exceptional models – such as the Tour de l’Île (
16 complications) presented in
2005 and
Reference 57260 (the world’s most complicated watch,
57 complications) in
2015 – bear further eloquent testimony to this path marked by remarkable achievements.
A waltz in triple – civil, solar and sidereal – time
Epitomising the peak of horological mastery, this unique timepiece equipped with a wealth of astronomical complications united within an incredibly small area represents an impressive sum of knowledge, calculations and fine adjustments. Its captivating functions notably feature the triple-time civil, solar and sidereal displays powered by three distinct gear trains, including a “tropical” gear train dedicated to all the solar functions.
Swept over by a pair of white gold open-tipped hands, civil (or standard) time is read off in the traditional manner on the front dial. Civil time is a universally recognised mean time based on the fictional principle that the Sun moves around the equator at a constant speed throughout the year, averaging one full turn every 24 hours. This convenient and conventional choice divides the year into
365.25 days, each day into 24 hours and each hour into 60 minutes.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
True solar time is on the other hand based on the visible trajectory of the Sun in the course of the day, expressed through its hour angle measured at a given place and time. Depending on the day of the year, the difference between solar time and mean time ranges from +14 to -16 minutes, with the two exactly coinciding only four times a year. This discrepancy is due to the fact that the Earth’s orbit is elliptical (and not round); that the Sun is not in the centre of this ellipse; that the Earth does not follow this orbit at a constant speed; and lastly that the Earth’s rotation axis is tilted in relation to the plane of its orbit.
Head in the stars
Thirdly, sidereal time is read off on the back of the watch. Technically regarded as an astronomical time scale based on the Earth’s rate of rotation measured with respect to the apparent motion of the ‘fixed’ stars as observed from a local meridian, sidereal time differs from mean time by approximately four minutes per day, meaning that
24 sidereal hours correspond to
23 hours,
56 minutes and
4 seconds of civil time. Sidereal hours and minutes are indicated in an original and refined way by means of two superimposed sapphire discs.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The lower one forming the background features the celestial dome, the celestial time minute-track and the four cardinal points; while the second one placed on top bears the constellations, the projections of the equator (white circle) and the ecliptic (red circle) – the latter depicting the Sun’s annual trajectory as seen from Earth. This Lambert projection is an authentic scientific map corresponding to the constellations in the Northern Hemisphere.
Running equation of time on tropical gear train
To measure and display the difference between civil and solar time, this timepiece is equipped with a complex and refined equation of time mechanism. Moreover, the latter is also a ‘running’ equation of time, a kind rarely seen in wristwatches and indicating solar time by means of an additional coaxial pink gold minutes hand adorned with a cut- out sun. The equation of time is generally displayed by a hand moving across an auxiliary sector with a scale running from +14 to -16 minutes and requiring a bit of mental arithmetic to check solar time.
The running equation of time is far more complex to create and enables instant readings of solar and civil times. To ensure exactitude and precision,
Vacheron Constantin has adjusted it to a tropical gear train simulating the tropical year, meaning the time the Earth takes to make a full turn around the Sun and corresponding to
365.2421898 days.
Time and tides
This unique creation features a doubled-sided display of
23 complications. On the front, the slate grey dial reveals 15 artfully arranged complications. As well as readings of civil and solar time (running equation of time) by three coaxial hands, it also has a perpetual calendar with a precision moon phase as well as a remarkable mareoscope composed of a tide level indicator and a
3D depiction of the Earth-Moon-Sun alignment. Tides are governed by physical laws and depend on the gravitational attraction and centrifugal forces of these three heavenly bodies.
Representing a ‘memory’ of time yet to come, a perpetual calendar is able to keep track of the irregularities of the Gregorian calendar with no need for any intervention other than a date change every
400 years. It displays the day of the week, the month and the leap-year cycle through apertures, while pointing to the date with a serpentine hand.
The fascinatingly elegant precision moon-phase display requires a one-day correction only once in
122 years and is read off by means of two superimposed discs bearing a laser- engraved true image of the full moon, a day/night indication and the age of the moon – meaning the number of days elapsed since the last full moon.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
These precious functions are complemented by sunrise and sunset times,
pointed two by slim hands moving over two graduated scales, as well as
the length of day and night appearing on a special gauge at 6 o’clock.
This set of complications that occur but rarely in the Fine Watchmaking
sky is further enriched by other captivating indications arranged in a
semi-circle: zodiacal signs, seasons, solstices and equinoxes.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Solstices
– at which the day is at minimum or maximum length – occur twice a year
in summer and winter; whereas equinoxes – when day and night are of
equal length – correspond to the start of spring and autumn.
Stellar transparency
On
the back of the watch, a second dial is also brimming with worthwhile
astronomical functions. Composed of two superimposed sapphire discs, it
is distinguished by its limpid, airy design as well as the originality
of its translucent celestial chart for which a patent has been filed. In
the foreground, this display depicts the constellation viewed from the
Northern Hemisphere, ringed by an anthracite inner bezel ring showing
the months of the year as well as a gauge-type power-reserve indicator.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
On
this same transparent disc, two ellipses – one red and the other white –
respectively correspond to the projections of the ecliptic and the
celestial equator. Positioned beneath the constellation, a second disc
rimmed by a graduated scale displays sidereal time and the four cardinal
points, while an anthracite-coloured sphere reveals a see-through view
of the celestial map. In addition, this innovative sky chart also
provides a fascinating glimpse of the tourbillon at 6 o’clock.
A feat of technical sophistication and miniaturisation
The extremely complex and exclusive
Caliber 3600 powering
this exceptional watch called for five years of development, from the
start of its fully integrated conceptualisation through to the finishing
touches on its refined exterior. This mechanical manual-winding
movement not only achieves the feat of combining more than
20 horological
complications – including three distinct times driven by three
dedicated gear trains – but also has an extraordinary three-week power
reserve ensured by six barrels, coupled by three. It naturally takes
considerable energy to ensure that such an impressive number of
astronomical indications operates with all due precision.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
To
achieve this, the Manufacture worked simultaneously on two fronts: by
seeking to save energy on the one hand, and by increasing the size of
its power supply. So as to optimise the energy stored as well as its
transmission, the barrel springs are made from a sturdy and ductile
Bioflex®* alloy, while the involute gears mesh in an ideal manner.
Finally, the six barrels guarantee a substantial storage volume, while
keeping the caliber as slim as possible. The resulting ensemble is a
true feat of miniaturisation comprising
514-part
finely adjusted and meticulously decorated parts and measuring just 8.7
mm thick! This unique mechanism, equipped with a tourbillon featuring a
large balance wheel for enhanced precision and regularity, fits neatly
inside an elegant 45 mm-diameter white gold case.
* Bioflex® is a registered mark which does not belong to Vacheron Constantin.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The eminently legible, visually harmonious and original display of its
23 functions
also represents a technical and aesthetic tour de force. Enabling a
beautifully balanced layout on the front dial, its movement is adorned
with a matt finish and transparent jewels so as to guarantee optimal
readability of its sapphire-disc display on the back. Like the entire
Vacheron Constantin collection,
Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600 bears the
Hallmark of Geneva, confirming that it meets the numerous demanding criteria governing this prestigious quality certification.
Reaching for the stars
Presented in the collection
Les Cabinotier, made of exclusive timepieces, this astronomical supercomplication model exemplifies the tradition of Geneva’s
18th
century “cabinotiers”. These highly specialised watchmaking artisans in
their attic workshops created authentic bespoke masterpieces intended
for prestigious clients around the world. Fired by the same spirit of
blending horological prowess with exclusive service and extreme
personalisation,
Vacheron Constantin perpetuates this same philosophy of excellence.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
The quintessentially rare
Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600 is
issued in a limited edition of one. Fitted with an alligator leather
strap secured by a white gold pin buckle, it comes in a luxurious
presentation box adorned with wood marquetry.
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#VCSIHH
#VCcelestia
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Technical details
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Model:
Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600
Reference
9720C/000G-B281
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Movement
Calibre 3600 Developed and manufactured by
Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, manual-winding
36 mm (15 ¾’’’) diameter, 8.7 mm thick
Approximately 3 weeks of power reserve
2.5Hz (
18,000 vibrations/hour)
514 components
64 jewels
Indications
Hours,
minutes, perpetual calendar, day/night indication, precision moon
phase, age of the moon, running equation of time, sunrise and sunset
time, day and night length, seasons, solstices, equinoxes and zodiacal
signs, tide level indicator, Sun-Earth-Moon conjunction, opposition and
quadrature, transparent sky chart of the northern hemisphere with
indication of the
Milky Way, of the ecliptic and celestial equator,
hours and minutes of sidereal time, tourbillon, 3 weeks of power reserve
(6 barrels), power reserve indication
Case
18K white gold
45 mm diameter, 13.6 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 metres)
Dial
Slate-colored opaline
18K gold applied hour-markers
18K gold hands
Strap
Black Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator inner shell,
hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales
Clasp:18K white gold pin buckle; Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Accessories
Delivered with a corrector pen and a magnifying glass
Unique timepiece
« Pièce unique » and « Les Cabinotiers » engraved on the back of the timepiece
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SIHH.Vacheron-Constantin.com
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Vacheron Constantin
Press Department
10, Chemin du Tourbillon
P.O. Box 95
CH-1228
Plan-les-Ouates/Geneva
Tel. +41 22
930 20 05
Fax +41 22
930 20 06
press@vacheron-constantin.com
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