"Do better if possible, which is always possible." In 2025, Vacheron Constantin's historical creed becomes even more relevant. Christian Selmoni, Director of Style & Heritage of the Maison, founded in 1755, reminds us: "Talking about the impressive heritage of the Maison is one thing. Making it a reality is another." Thus, Vacheron Constantin retraces its history and values through anniversary pieces. 250 years, Tour de l’Île and its 16 complications – a first. 260 years, Reference 57260 and its 57 functions – another record.
This year, Vacheron Constantin celebrates its 270th anniversary spectacularly. The brand once again engraves its name in watchmaking history. Driven by its long tradition of astronomical watches, the house conquers the sky, in the way of watchmakers. The Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grande Complication – La Première gathers 41 complications in a wristwatch, setting a record. 8 years of development, 13 patent applications filed, rare or even unprecedented astronomical functions, displayed on a double-sided dial. 1521 components fitted into a white gold case of 45 mm in diameter and only 14.99 mm thick—a marvel of miniaturization. Beyond the numbers, this exceptional piece fascinates and reveals itself again and again.
A Universe of Its Own, on the Wrist
At the heart of Solaria, the new Caliber 3655 puts mechanical complexity at the service of rare functions. Three time readings are offered: civil, solar, and sidereal—meaning the official time on Earth, or based on solar or stellar days (each of different durations). But Vacheron Constantin goes even further. The watch combines five rare astronomical complications. Solaria measures the trajectory of the Sun with fascinating precision: position, altitude above the horizon, culmination at solar noon, declination according to the seasons. Moreover, a world first completes this display: a split-seconds chronograph, coupled with a mobile sky chart set to a reference location, allows for the precise determination of when a star will appear in the sky.
A Chime to Mark Time
Innovation continues with a sophisticated Westminster chime. Seven patent applications have been filed for this exceptional minute repeater mechanism, played by redesigned gongs and hammers—this to optimize the sound, despite the limited space available. For example, three of the four hammers are forged from steel alloyed with gold for increased inertia. Additionally, the cross-section of the gongs is not "round" but "rectangular" for added rigidity. The result: the melody, clear and harmonious, resonates with intensity despite the "crowding" of movement components.
At the heart of this dizzyingly complex caliber, the extreme refinement of the finishes brings an aesthetic dimension. Anglage, mirror polishing, beveling, brushing by "brouillage," circular graining, and sunray finishing reveal the shapes and surfaces. Every component, however tiny, transforms into a miniature work of art.
Two Faces to Read Time
On the dial, the elegant and minimalist contrast between black, gray, and white tones reveals each function with clarity and legibility. A few touches of gold, green, and red highlight certain indications—such as the course of the Sun or the chronograph hands. The display is distributed over the two faces of Solaria. On the front: four counters, two of which display up to five complications. On the back: the mobile sky chart and chronograph functions. The sapphire disc for sunrise and sunset indications, only 0.18 mm thick, showcases the extreme level of miniaturization across the entire piece.
With The Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grande Complication – La Première, Vacheron Constantin celebrates its 270th anniversary, of course. But also the passage of time, its history, human ingenuity, and the eternal fascination exerted by the Sun. Like an odyssey between Earth and the stars.
List of complications, Solaria Ultra Grande Complication – La Première
Time Measurement (6)
Day/night indication for the reference city
Second time zone with hours and minutes (24-hour display)
World time indication for 24 cities
Day/night indication for the second time zone
3Hz tourbillon with a silicon balance wheel (high Q factor)
Central civil time display module coupled with the base movement
Gregorian Perpetual Calendar (8)
Perpetual calendar
Day of the week
Date
Month
Year
Leap year indication
Day number (ISO 8601 calendar)
Week number (ISO 8601 calendar)
Lunar Indications (3)
Astronomical moon phase and age of the Moon
Tide level indicator
Indicator of spring and neap tides
Astronomical Indications (14)
Indications of seasons, equinoxes, and solstices
Sun position (for the reference city)
Sunrise time (for the reference city)
Sunset time (for the reference city)
Day length (for the reference city)
Equation of time (on a tropic gear)
Sun culmination time (for the reference city)
Sun altitude above the horizon (for the reference city)
Sun declination, three-dimensional Earth showing the Sun’s latitude in the Northern/Southern Hemisphere
Sidereal hours
Sidereal minutes
Astronomical zodiac signs
Celestial chart (for the reference city)
Temporal tracking of celestial objects
Chiming (5)
Minute repeater
Westminster chime (4 hammers and 4 gongs)
Chime mode selector
Crown locking system when the chime is active
Double-stopper hammer system to limit bounce and optimize the kinetic energy transmission of the hammers
Split-Seconds Chronograph (4)
Chronograph (1 column wheel)
60-minute counter
Split-seconds chronograph (1 column wheel)
Isolation system for the split-seconds chronograph
Other Function (1)
Power reserve indicator (190° outer disc)
