5 days ago
Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface is a lyrical celebration of time
In the world of watchmaking, few names carry the weight of history quite like Vacheron Constantin. The Swiss maison's 270-year legacy of being the world's oldest watchmaker in continuous production perfectly embodies humankind's quest to capture time and distil its mysteries within the confines of a metal case. Across that remarkable journey, the brand has tackled the grandest of complications and pushed the boundaries of horological expression. Yet, even for this fabled watchmaker, bringing together a split-seconds chronograph, a minute repeater, and a tourbillon in a wristwatch remains an extraordinary feat.
These three complications, each formidable on its own, have tested generations of craftsmen. While they have shared space in the occasional grand pocket watch, uniting them in a single wristwatch remains a rare achievement. Vacheron Constantin first explored this daring combination in 2022 with a one-of-a-kind Les Cabinotiers timepiece powered by calibre 2757. Now, with the singular Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface — another one-off creation — the maison reveals the intricate beauty of the movement through a sapphire dial and caseback. Seen up close, the Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface is a breathtaking spectacle. Its open worked sapphire dial, scarcely half a millimetre thick, offers an intimate view of the mechanical ballet beneath.
Driving this marvel is the calibre 2757 S, a masterpiece of modern watchmaking composed of 696 meticulously finished components. From the split-seconds chronograph that captures parallel moments with elegant precision, to the minute repeater that strikes the hours, quarters, and minutes with remarkable clarity, every function reflects Vacheron Constantin's relentless pursuit of perfection. Anchoring it all is the tourbillon regulator, fitted with a spherical hairspring, quietly resisting the pull of gravity to keep time steady and true.
And yet, the watch wears its technical brilliance lightly. Thoughtful choices such as titanium, silicon, and aluminium within the movement help reduce weight and friction, enhancing performance and preserving energy. Together, they sustain a generous 50-hour power reserve, even with the chronograph engaged. Frosted and polished surfaces, warm 5N pink gold accents, and a rich olive-green strap lend contemporary flair to this vessel of timeless craft. The 45mm pink gold case frames it all, substantial yet harmonious on the wrist.
But beyond the complexity and beauty, there is a deeply human story. Much like the cabinotiers — the master watchmakers of Geneva who, centuries ago, crafted bespoke marvels for discerning patrons — a single artisan at Vacheron Constantin saw this creation through from start to finish. From the first bevel to the final adjustment, every polished edge, every satin-brushed surface, every hidden screw speaks of patience, skill, and a craft reverently passed down through generations.
With the Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface, Vacheron Constantin invites us to witness the passage of time, to feel it, and to hear it. This is not merely a technical triumph, but a lyrical celebration of time's fleeting beauty, captured forever in metal, sapphire, and sound.
