Patrimony Traditionnelle « Calibre 2253 »For 2010, Vacheron Constantin presents the Patrimony Traditionnelle “Calibre 2253” watch in the Collection Excellence Platine. This model features a major astronomical complication in terms of technical application.
Entirely constructed by Vacheron Constantin’s engineering department and developed over several thousands of hours, the new Calibre 2253 provides information derived from Earth’s orbit around the sun, notably a perpetual calendar, the equation of time and the times of sunrise and sunset. It has a tourbillon escapement as well.
Despite supporting extra mechanical complexity, the Calibre 2253 exhibits a breathtaking amount of power reserve – some 336 hours or 14 days of running time drawn from two pairs of coupled barrels.
The power reserve is shown through the sapphire-crystal caseback.
Immagine: 188,08 KBImmagine: 190,09 KBImmagine: 122,16 KBPatrimony Traditionnelle « Calibre 2755 »This amazing calibre is fitted in a generously proportioned platinum case, 44 mm in diameter and designed to achieve the most remarkable quality of sound from the minute-repeater. The optimal tuning of the strike is made possible by the ingenious use of the blocks to which the chimes are attached.
The rest of the exterior has also benefited from multiple refinements: dials available in silvered or slate finishes, and the folding clasp in 950 platinum with a half Maltese Cross. Noteworthy also is that the dial is shifted slightly off-centre to better display the tourbillon carriage.
Minute-repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar: bringing the three major complications together in a single timepiece remains a rare exercise in style and mastery.
Its complexity severely limits the number of Patrimony Traditionnelle “Calibre 2755” platinum watches that can be produced.
Immagine: 194,49 KBPatrimony Traditionnelle Chronographe Quantième Perpétuel « Calibre 1141QP »The exterior of this superlative watch is equal to the movement it protects.
The characteristic case in 950 platinum of the Patrimony Traditionnelle models obeys the conventions of elegant restraint. Its ample 43 mm diameter ensures that all the indications on the dial are clearly visible.
The latter is available in an opaline silver finish with silvered subdials or in a velvety grey with snailed subdials in black rhodium.
The varied hues recall the style of Vacheron Constantin’s former chronographs, and those who take an interest will recognize a particular affinity with the chronographs of the 1940s. Vibrating 18,000 times an hour, the Calibre 1141QP can draw on a power reserve of some 48 hours.
In addition to the hours and minutes with the small seconds on the left, it indicates the elapsed time with the central chronograph seconds and a 30-minute counter on the right.
In the perpetual calendar, the days, months and leap years are nicely arranged in apertures while the moon phases and dates hand are displayed at 6 o’clock.
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