Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers : The Berkley Grand Complication (11 Years Of Development)
Comprising 63 horological complications and 2877 components, Vacheron Constantin announces the most complicated watch – The Berkley Grand Complications, surpassing the previous record, also held by the Maison. The watch has indefinitely reached the pinnacle of watchmaking, emerging from 11 years of development, including a entire year wholly devoted the its assembly.
Crafted in 18k white gold and immediately labelled as “The Most Complicated Watch“, The Berkley Grand Complication is a tailor-made pocket watch boasting 63 different complications, 245 jewels, 2,877 components, and a weight of astonishing 960 grams – over two pounds. Named after its commissioner W.R Berkley, the watch is truly a landmark in present-day watchmaking industry.
Table of Contents
History
Origin of Vacheron Constantin
source : wikipedia
Founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron, an independent watchmaker based in Geneva, Switzerland, Vacheron Constantin is the oldest luxury watch manufacturer in the world with an unbroken watchmaking history since its founding. The company has been a subsidiary of the Swiss Richemont Group since 1966. It is world famous for its long tradition and beautiful design, showcased in most of its iterations.
The First Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers
This silver watched signed by J.M Vacheron, A Geneva on the mechanism is the only know timepiece that identifies the company’s founder by his first name. Fitted with a verge escapement and featuring finely crafted gold hands, this watch is a pride of Vacheron Constantin heritage. The balance cock also demonstrates the fluent craftsmanship in delicate arabesques – gradually forging the legacy of the Maison.
Designing The Berkley Grand Complication
Presented as the most complicated watch in the world, The Berkley Grand Complication pocket watch is the first watch to feature a Chinese perpetual Calendar – going beyond any watchmaker, building on Vacheron Constantin’s long history of Haute Horlogerie, which dates back to 1975. The piece took 11 years of research and development from three of its master watchmakers in the Les Cabinotiers, meaning the brand started work before completing the 57260.
First Ever Chinese Perpetual Calendar
Featuring the particularities of complex and irregular cycle of the Chinese Calendar, the mechanical programming of in-house Calibre 3752 till year 2200 is a achievement of horological genius.
Chinese New Year : Complex and Irregular
Chinese Zodiac Signs
The perfect testament to to meticulous work put by the watchmaker is the disc type display of the exact – yet by definition variable – date of the Chinese New Year, as this key date in the nations’s social life fluctuates continuously between January 21 and February 21.
The watch also features the silhouette of the Chinese zodiac animal for the current year, seen in an aperture positioned below the moon phase.
Gregorian Calendar
The watch also features the Gregorian perpetual calendar, displayed on the watch’s second face. The display highlights a retrograde date at 12 o’clock, followed by the day of the week ( 9 o’clock mark), the month ( 3 o’clock mark) and the leap-year cycle at 1 o’clock aperture.
Sky Chart
Designed with meticulous detail to accuracy, the watch also presents the sky chart with the constellations appearing in real time as observed from Shanghai . The celestial disc makes one complete rotation in one sidereal day – approx. 23 h 56 min, so as the maintain accuracy.
Age and Phase of Moon
Also integrated is the precise phases and age of the moon appearing on the 12 o’clock counter, requiring no further corrections for the next 1,027 years.
Grande Sonnerie And Alarms
Equipped with Calibre 3752 and Grande Sonnerie mechanism, this watch features the unwavering interest of the watchmakers, featuring a Westminster carillon. This chimes the tune sounded by the bells of Big Ben – on London’s Tower of Parliament – with 5 gongs and 5 hammers, complemented by an alarm.
One of A Kind
Incorporating the full range of horology’s noblest complications in the realm of astronomical and chiming function, The Berkley Grand Complication is a one of a kind piece, made and named upon its commissioner W.R Berkley. The watch took over 11 years of design and development and became “the most complicated watch” quite immediately after its announcement and became the talk of the Watch and Wonders.
Watch Specifications and Price
Price :
Source : Hodinkee
| Model | The Berkley Grand Complication |
| Launched Year | 2024 |
| Type | Pocket Watch |
| Complications | 63 |
| Jewels | 245 |
| Components | 2877 |
| Weight | 960 grams – over 2 pound |
| Material | 18 k white gold |
| Calibre | 3752 |
Conclusion
This addition of astronomical and chiming complications should not detract from the watch’s primary function, which is to display the time – or better still, to display the time in several time zones and even to measure short times, with chronometric precision.
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