Cover Delicate hand-engraving depicting a scene from the mythical tale of the Pleiades on the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon—Myth of the Pleiades watch
Delicate hand-engraving depicting a scene from the mythical tale of the Pleiades on the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon—Myth of the Pleiades watch
1 / 1
The new Vacheron Constantin collection from its bespoke Les Cabinotiers atelier pays homage to the wonders of astronomy and epic ancient warriors
Throughout the year, Vacheron Constantin has been levelling up its showcase of watchmaking and artisanal savoir-faire in celebration of its 270th anniversary. The journey has been impressive, culminating in the unveiling of the La Quête du Temps clock at the Louvre in Paris.
Equally remarkable is the output—apart from the aforementioned astronomical clock, it raised the bar with notable revivals such as the Historiques 222 and the most complicated wristwatch. Through it all, its ultra-exclusive bespoke atelier Les Cabinotiers remained at the centre of the action, pushing not just mechanical boundaries, but also elevating its artistic showmanship with considerable flair.
Read more: Vacheron Constantin bridges past and present with the Traditionnelle watches
As 2025 comes to a close, Vacheron Constantin puts the pedal to the metal with the release of the La Quête collection of Les Cabinotiers timepieces. Each an extraordinary one-of-a-kind, it comprises astronomical instruments as well as metiers d'art pieces inspired by ancient warriors. Let’s take a closer look at one sublime example from each category.
Above Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon – Myth of the Pleiades
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon – Myth of the Pleiades
1 / 1
Astronomical timepiece
Inspired by the Greek mythology of the Seven Sisters (Pleiades), who were transformed into stars in the Taurus constellation and served as a vital navigation point for sailors in ancient times, Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon—Myth of the Pleiades is powered by Calibre 1990, boasting four pending patents. One of them is the bi-retrograde hour and minute system, with instantaneous return of the two hands to zero at noon and midnight. The strong force required for this operation called for a review of the materials used. The watchmakers found ultra-resistant and lightweight titanium to be the most suitable, which is used to craft the hands, escape wheel collet, and the lever.
The tourbillon cage, which occupies most of the left side of the dial, forms the emblematic Maltese cross every 15 seconds. The rotating mechanism is also equipped with a rare spherical balance spring, invented by Jacques-Frédéric Houriet in 1814.
See also: The bespoke luxury of Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon for Rolls-Royce
Above Producing the intricate design on the case requires at least 450 hours of work
Producing the intricate design on the case requires at least 450 hours of work
1 / 1
For the aesthetics of the pink gold case, master engravers drew inspiration from 17th-century astronomer Johannes Hevelius, whose star atlases linked constellations to mythological figures. This watch celebrates the Pleiades, with Orion emerging from clouds to battle the bull protecting the stars, while the ship Argos, guided by Athena, sails past sea monsters using the Pleiades as a celestial beacon.
The engravings combine drypoint outlines, burin-carved volumes, and micro-sculpting for intricate detail. Every element—from Orion and Taurus to the waves and creatures—is refined through precise relief work, surface treatments, and repeated sharpening of the tools to achieve exceptional depth and light play.
Read more: Four exceptional collections by Vacheron Constantin
Above Setting the brilliant-cut diamond, which represents one of the visible stars of the Taurus constellation
Setting the brilliant-cut diamond, which represents one of the visible stars of the Taurus constellation
1 / 1
Working with the gem-setter, the engraver meticulously positions each of the 10 brilliant-cut diamonds, ensuring every star in the Taurus constellation is positioned at just the right height to twinkle with celestial precision.
See also: Audemars Piguet marks 150th year with an innovative perpetual calendar movement
Metiers d'art
The Greco-Roman demi-god Heracles (in Roman mythology, he’s known as Hercules) is sculptured to detailed perfection on white gold in The Labours of Heracles, a collection of 12 timepieces, each illustrating one of the 12 tasks he performed in his quest for redemption. Born of Zeus and the mortal princess Alcmene, Heracles—tormented by Hera’s wrath—transformed personal tragedy into legendary heroism. Through his 12 epic Labours, he became the symbol of courage, endurance, and ingenious triumph over the seemingly impossible.
Above The Labours of Heracles—Lernaean Hydra
The Labours of Heracles—Lernaean Hydra
1 / 1
Built from two overlapping 18k white gold plates, the lower dial evokes a 17th-century map of Greece, its seas textured with taille-douce engraving and shaded with translucent enamel, while a minuscule 18k gold cabochon marks each Labour with exquisite precision. On the upper dial, Heracles comes to life in a white-gold micro-sculpture, set against a grand feu enamel miniature landscape painstakingly built in 50 hours across multiple layers.
From engraved continents to enamel-painted clouds, every detail is rendered with extraordinary craftsmanship, transforming each dial into a three-dimensional story of heroism and classical artistry.
Above The Labours of Heracles—Cretan Bull
The Labours of Heracles—Cretan Bull
1 / 1
Its Calibre 1120 AT incorporates a satellite hour module driven by a patented system shaped like the maison’s Maltese cross emblem. Minutes are displayed along a 120-degree arc. Every component is finished to the highest degree, from perlage and Côtes de Genève to hand-bevelling. The 22k gold rotor features a ‘tapestry’ motif inspired by Greek friezes, created using a traditional tapestry machine dating back to 1904 and operated entirely by hand.
Read more: Chopard’s tribute to the beauty of Japan
Above The ‘tapestry’ motif on the oscillating weight of Calibre 1120 AT
The ‘tapestry’ motif on the oscillating weight of Calibre 1120 AT
1 / 1
These timepieces leave no doubt why Vacheron Constantin is considered one of the Holy Trinity of horology. Its uncompromising blend of sophisticated craftsmanship, ingenious engineering, and ancestral techniques culminates in watches that are viewed as more than timekeeping instruments—they are works of art in which every detail celebrates centuries of horological excellence.
NOW READ
Richard Mille refines travel timekeeping with the RM63-02 Automatic Worldtimer
Blancpain revitalises the Villeret with subtle refinements
Inside Cartier’s Maison des Métiers d’Art: a haven of craft and innovation
Topics
Brian Cheong leads the watch (Tatler GMT) and jewellery content at Tatler Malaysia, combining sharp editorial insight with years of luxury lifestyle experience. A seasoned journalist in luxury watches based in Kuala Lumpur, Brian had previously helmed World of Watches, Men's Folio and Prestige Malaysia.
