Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon High Jewellery
This Traditionnelle tourbillon High Jewellery watch dazzles with over 300 baguette-cut diamonds, an ultra-thin Calibre 2160 movement, and masterful invisible gemsetting. Share
Vacheron Constantin has introduced a new highlight in its Traditionnelle collection: the Traditionnelle tourbillon High Jewellery timepiece. This technical masterpiece, powered by the ultra-thin Calibre 2160, stands out not only for its intricate movement but for the dazzling array of more than 300 baguette-cut diamonds (~27.11 cts) that adorn its case, dial, and even the crown.
The Traditionnelle tourbillon High Jewellery watch represents the seamless blending of high watchmaking with exceptional jewellery craftsmanship, an approach that has defined Vacheron Constantin for over two and a half centuries. The maison’s dedication to creating watches that are both technically sophisticated and visually magnificent is rooted in a tradition dating back to 18th-century Geneva, when La Fabrique brought together thousands of skilled watchmaking and goldsmithing artisans.
The highlight of this timepiece is its invisible gem-setting, an artful technique invented in the early 20th century. This method involves setting meticulously cut stones so that no metal prongs are visible, resulting in a seamless, continuous sparkle. To achieve this, jewellers create T-shaped channels in the metal, into which diamonds cut with side grooves are slid, forming a flawless, joint-free expanse of gems. For the Traditionnelle tourbillon High Jewellery watch, this technique posed a particular challenge due to the varying sizes of the baguette-cut diamonds needed for the dial’s radiating pattern and the trapeze-shaped diamonds used on the lugs. The crown itself is invisibly set on both the edge and the front, using stones cut precisely to fit within the Maltese cross’s polished edges.
The result is a dazzling display that complements the timepiece’s central tourbillon, surrounded by a radiant diamond arrangement. The ultra-thin Calibre 2160, which powers the watch, was the maison’s first self-winding tourbillon movement. It is composed of 188 components, measuring only 5.65 mm in thickness, contributing to the overall slim profile of the 41 mm watch, which stands at just 12.46 mm thick. The calibre is equipped with an 80-hour power reserve and beats at a moderate 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz). The peripheral 18K gold oscillating weight, with a Clous de Paris hobnail guilloché pattern, adds elegance and functionality while helping reduce the movement’s thickness.
The finishing of the Calibre 2160 is a display of Vacheron Constantin’s commitment to detail. The mainplate on the dial side is circular-grained, while the bridges on the back are hand-bevelled and decorated with Côtes de Genève. The gear train wheels feature circular satin finishes, and the screws are chamfered and polished to a high standard. The tourbillon carriage, shaped like the Maltese cross and bearing the small seconds hand indicated by a blackened screw, is meticulously hand-finished, including a process known as rounding off, where the tourbillon bar is filed into a semi-cylindrical and conical shape.
