The choice of midnight blue seems like a particular good fit for Vacheron Constantin's ultra elegant Patrimony line, with its classic round case. The dial is given a sunburst satin finishing, which contrasts beautifully against the gold hands, markers and moon in champlevé enamel.

For a dress watch, the slim proportion delivers an understated appeal that belies the technical marvel of the ultra-thin 1120 QP automatic caliber that drives a perpetual calendar that requires no adjustment until the year 2100. Endowed with a micro-rotor with an openworked Maltese cross, the movement is only 4.05mm thick but possesses high watchmaking qualities that meet the Hallmark of Geneve standards of excellence. 

In order to optimise the sound transmission of this minute repeater, Jaeger-LeCoultre completely overhauled the gong system with the two gongs now occupying the entire periphery of the movement. They are visible on the outer edge of the dial. Their configurations too are such that they deliver a rich audio.

The lower pitched gong goes around in a straightforward helical path so that “it creates the harmonic overtones giving fullness and balance to bass notes”. A part of the higher pitched gong folds back on itself like the tines of a tuning fork to produce the pure, clear tone of the treble notes.

This remarkable innovation is said to recreate the richness and strength of chiming vintage pocket watches. Nevertheless, the design of the watch, which is also endowed with a perpetual calendar, is entirely contemporary with a new 43mm white gold case that is alternately hand-polished, satin-finished and sandblasted. The dial is a magnificent blue enamel and hand-guilloched at the maison’s Atelier des Métiers Rares.

Also see: The artistic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel collection