Bespoke and rare, Les Cabinotiers collection by Vacheron Constantin, was officially introduced in 2015, although the opportunity to work with the house to create personal one-off watches has always existed within the brand on a more intimate and private level.
The name of the collection pays homage to the historical term for craftsmen working in small workshops or cabinets, emphasising the craftsmanship and personalised nature of these watches.
Since its introduction, the Les Cabinotiers collection has showcased extraordinary creativity, producing limited numbers of pieces that exemplify the pinnacle of haute horlogerie.
Watches from Les Cabinotiers are often unique, one-of-a-kind creations, tailored to the specific preferences and desires of the client.
These timepieces showcase the expertise of Vacheron Constantin’s master watchmakers and artisans who have perfected ancient métiers d’art.
Clients can work closely with the brand’s craftspeople to choose various elements such as case materials, dial designs, complications, and other features, resulting in truly bespoke and exceptional watches.
In addition to accommodating customer requests, the atelier presents an annual ‘collection’ of unique pieces.
As bespoke creations, these timepieces are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs who appreciate the artistry and individuality offered by custom-made watches and this year’s showcase, launched today, is sure to continue that legacy.
For 2023, Vacheron’s Les Cabinotiers Collection: Récits de Voyages (Travel Stories) introduces a breath-taking series of bespoke timepieces.
While these models boast mechanical complexity, it is their extraordinary engravings and gem-setting that truly steal the spotlight.
Minute Repeater Tourbillon
The Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillons comprise the initial duo in this year’s Les Cabinotiers collection, featuring the in-house 2755 TMR, a hand-wound tourbillon calibre with a minute repeater.
The white-gold model draws inspiration from the arabesque depictions of flora and fauna where figural outlines produce intricate patterns. In homage to Vacheron Constantin’s historical trade relations with Turkey and Egypt and influenced by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, each 44mm timepiece took three months to complete.
The second yellow-gold model celebrates Vacheron Constantin’s two centuries of connections to the US, and echoes the clean lines of the Art Deco through champlevé enamelling and wood marquetry.
Memorable Places
Other Les Cabinotiers watches pay tribute to significant locations in the brand’s history. Four unique pieces establish a link between Switzerland and Asia, all featuring an in-house, ultra-thin self-winding movement.
Created in rose or white gold, these 40mm timepieces showcase inlaid gold plates, micro-sculpting, and engraving. Taking 200 hours to complete, the dials commemorate locations including La Tour de l’Île, Angkor Thom, Beijing’s Old Summer Palace, the entry to Confucius Temple and The Imperial College Museum.
Malte Tourbillon
The Malte Tourbillon pays homage to Vacheron’s longstanding presence in Paris.
Reflecting the work of Georges Eugène Haussmann who was responsible for the urban renewal programme of the city in the mid-19th century, this stunning pink-gold watch features the 2790 SQ hand-wound tourbillon movement.
Both the case and movement are extensively engraved, involving work totalling over 150 hours.
Armillary Tourbillon
Again turning to Art Deco, the Armillary Tourbillon pays tribute to the Americas as a whole, with engravings depicting the brand’s early work in the USA, Brazil, and Mexico.
The 45mm yellow-gold watch houses the brand’s Calibre 1990, featuring a manually wound biaxial tourbillon with retrograde hours and minutes indications – a specialty of the brand, highlighted in this year’s main collections.
The case and movement engravings, along with hand guilloché on the front of the movement, took over a month to complete.
Grisaille High Jewellery
The jewel in the crown of this year’s Les Cabinotiers collection is the Grisaille High Jewellery watch.
This 40mm white gold watch features a grisaille enamel dragon on its dial, emphasising the significance of China.
Adorned with 146 hand-set baguette-cut diamonds, the watch houses the ultra-thin 1120 automatic calibre.
Grisaille enamelling, using grey tones on a dark-coloured background, requires precision firing in a kiln to reveal the intricate details of the dragon motif.
