Elysium
Setting a New Standard in Watchmaking
In the illustrious world of haute horlogerie, the Les Cabinotiers Solaria is a monumental achievement. Vacheron Constantin has elevated watchmaking excellence with the creation of this timepiece, which is recognized as the most complicated wristwatch ever made. With a remarkable 41 complications meticulously integrated into its design, Les Cabinotiers Solaria is more than just a watch—it is a testament to human ingenuity and artisanal mastery.
Vacheron Constantin’s Legacy and Innovation
A Heritage of Excellence
Established in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron, Vacheron Constantin has consistently pioneered the luxury watchmaking industry. The Les Cabinotiers Solaria, representing eight years of dedicated craftsmanship, proudly embodies the Maison’s motto: “Do better if possible, and that is always possible.” Each intricate detail of this timepiece is a testament to its creators’ unwavering dedication and passion.
Calibre 3655: A Revolutionary Movement that Redefines Watchmaking
At the heart of the Les Cabinotiers Solaria lies the Calibre 3655 astronomical functions, a remarkable innovation encompassing 1521 individual components. Innovative watch miniaturisation allows this advanced mechanical movement to fit elegantly within a 45mm white gold case, merely 14.99mm in height.
Exploring the 41 Complications
Groundbreaking Astronomical Functions
The Les Cabinotiers Solaria introduces five rare astronomical complications, including:
- Position of the Sun
- Height of the Sun
- Culmination of the Sun
- Declination of the Sun
- Temporal tracking of celestial objects (world premiere)
Each complication represents meticulous research and flawless execution, setting the Les Cabinotiers Solaria apart from other astronomical complications wristwatches.
LIST OF COMPLICATIONS
Time measurement (6)
- Day and night indication for reference city
- Second time zone hours and minutes (on 24-hour display)
- World time indication for 24 cities
- Second time zone day and night indication
- 3Hz tourbillon with silicon balance wheel (with high Q factor)
- Civil time display module coupled to the base movement
Gregorian Perpetual Calendar (8)
- Perpetual calendar
- Days of the week
- Date
- Months
- Year indication
- Leap-year indication
- Indication for the number of the week within the year (ISO 8601 calendar)
- Number of the day of the week (ISO 8601 calendar)
Lunar indications (3)
- Astronomical Moon phases and the age of the Moon
- Tide level indicator
- Spring and neap tides indication
Astronomical indications (14)
- Indication of seasons, equinoxes & solstices
- Position of the Sun
- Sunrise time (according to the city of reference)
- Sunset time (according to the city of reference)
- Duration of the day (according to the city of reference)
- Equation of time on tropical (solar) gear
- Culmination time of the Sun (according to the city of reference)
- Height of the Sun above the horizon (according to the city of reference)
- Declination of the Sun, Three-dimensional Earth showing the latitude of the Sun in the Northern/Southern hemisphere
- Sidereal hours
- Sidereal minutes
- Astronomical zodiac signs
- Sky chart (according to the city of reference)
- Temporal tracking of celestial objects
Chiming complications (5)
- Minute repeater
- Westminster carillon chime (4 hammers & 4 gongs)
- Choice of hour-only or full chime
- Crown locking system during the chiming
- Double-stop hammer system to limit rebound and optimise transmission of the hammers’ kinetic energy
Split-seconds Chronograph (4)
- Chronograph (1 column wheel)
- 60-minute counter
- Split-seconds chronograph (1 column wheel)
- Isolator system for the split-second chronograph
Additional feature (1)
- Power-reserve indication (outer disc at 190°)
Three Distinct Times: Sidereal, Solar, and Civil
Les Cabinotiers Solaria uniquely displays sidereal solar civil time, each managed by its gear train. Based on the standard 24-hour day, Civil time shares space elegantly with sidereal and solar times, enabling unparalleled precision for astronomical observation and everyday wear.
Technical Marvels: Westminster Minute Repeater Innovation
A crowning achievement of Les Cabinotiers Solaria is its Westminster minute repeater innovation. Equipped with four precisely-tuned gongs and hammers, this minute repeater mechanism delivers a symphonic chime, distinguishing it from standard chiming watches. Seven of its 13 patent applications focus solely on enhancing this innovative repeater mechanism, significantly boosting sound clarity and resonance.
TECHNICAL DATA
Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication – La Première
Reference
9600C/000G-231C
Hallmark of Geneva-certified timepiece
Calibre
3655
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical manual-winding
36 mm diameter, 10.96 mm thick
Movement power reserve: approximately 72 hours
3 Hz (21’600 vibrations/hour)
1521 components
204 jewels
Indications
Time functions (6)
Gregorian Perpetual calendar (8)
Lunar indications (3)
Astronomical indications (14)
Chiming functions (5)
Split-seconds chronograph with two column-wheels (4)
Additional features (1)
Case
18K white gold
45 mm diameter, 14.99 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal case back with metallisation for the constellations
Dial
Front: metal black-coloured sunray satin-finished with circular satin-finished edge; 18K white gold hour-markers; sandblasted counters
Earth applique: polished and sandblasted rhodium-finished 18K 3N yellow gold
Sun sphere:18K 3N yellow gold
Hour and minute hands: 18K white gold, sandblasted
Back: grey-tinted sapphire crystal with celestial vault made by metallisation
Chronograph and split-seconds chronograph hands: lacquered aluminium alloy
Strap
Black technical calfskin leather strap with a textured effect and calfskin leather inner shell, hand-stitched, folded edges
Buckle
18K white gold folding buckle
Presentation box & accessory
Les Cabinotiers model
Delivered with a corrector pen
Engravings
‘Pièce unique’, ‘Les Cabinotiers’ and ‘AC’ hallmarks on the back bezel of the timepiece, 270th anniversary emblem on the dial.
Single-piece edition
Design Excellence: Merging Complexity and Clarity
Dial Design and Legibility
The dial of Les Cabinotiers Solaria is a marvel of functional design. It effectively presents multiple intricate features without compromising clarity. Each complication is thoughtfully integrated, creating an intuitive reading experience. This watch thus stands as an exemplar among luxury grand complication watches.
Miniaturisation and Practicality
A significant achievement in the creation of Les Cabinotiers Solaria is its exceptional miniaturisation. Despite integrating 1521 components, designers ensured the watch remains wearable and comfortable, making it not just a showcase piece but a practical, luxurious accessory that provides both comfort and luxury.
Celebrating the World Record Achievement
Les Cabinotiers Solaria officially holds the title of the Vacheron Constantin world record watch, featuring the highest number of complications in wristwatch history. This landmark achievement not only sets a new benchmark in luxury watchmaking but also underscores the exceptional craftsmanship and innovation that went into creating this unique timepiece, redefining expectations in the industry.
Craftsmanship and Finishing
Artisanal Excellence
Every component of the Les Cabinotiers Solaria undergoes rigorous hand finishing. Employing nine different finishing techniques—from bevelling to mirror polishing—Vacheron Constantin’s artisans transform the mechanical complexity into an actual kinetic work of art.
Sophisticated Case and Assembly
The elegant white gold case of Les Cabinotiers Solaria complements the internal technical prowess and showcases Vacheron Constantin’s dedication to detail and practical elegance. Numerous correctors, selectors, and push buttons are integrated into a sleek, ergonomic design, ensuring that the watch is a technical marvel and a pleasure to use and admire. This reflects the Maison’s commitment to both form and function.
LIST OF PATENT APPLICATIONS
Time indications – 2 patent applications
- “Plug and play” system: ingenious system for fixing the astronomical module
- Universal time: ultra-compact system allowing local time to be dissociated from home time without a spring but thanks to a differential
Astronomical indications – 3 patent applications
- Sunrise and sunset times, equation of time, height of the Sun as well as culmination and declination of the Sun: system by multi-cam monobloc wheel to reduce the height of the mechanism and increase its precision
- Celestial vault: system for displaying the movement of the constellations in real time using two sapphire crystals
- Identification of celestial objects: system to indicate the number of hours it takes for a selected star to enter the user’s optimal field of vision
Chronograph – 1 patent application
- Split-seconds chronograph: split-seconds insulator system offering better isochronism and reduction of vibration
Minute repeater – 7 patent applications
- Minute repeater architecture: developments to optimise the hammer size and maximise the energy transmitted to the hammers and then to the gongs for a better sound
- Mode selector: system for selecting the striking mode on demand of the repeater, choosing between hours only or engaging the entire striking mechanism with hours, quarters, and minutes
A Masterpiece for the Ages
Les Cabinotiers Solaria is more than a wristwatch—it is a statement of human creativity and watchmaking prowess. With its extraordinary complications, revolutionary movement, and flawless aesthetics, it embodies Vacheron Constantin’s legacy of excellence. This timepiece is a record-breaking innovation, symbolizing luxury and precision in horological artistry.
INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN SELMONI, STYLE & HERITAGE DIRECTOR
What are the key technical elements of this timepiece?
Because it is the most complicated wristwatch in the history of horology, with an unprecedented 41 complications, the mechanism had to be arranged most logically and as compactly as possible. The main objective was to combine all the main complications, timekeeping, astronomical, chronograph, and chiming, on a single base plate. This construction made it possible to create a wristwatch with harmonious proportions. Many of the innovations of this watch are related to the solutions found to avoid adding bulk and gain energy efficiency. The 72-hour power reserve attests to the latter.
So, how do the dimensions of this watch respond to the standards of Haute Horlogerie?
The miniaturisation of the movement is an essential point – a real watchmaking feat. Accommodating 1521 components in a case for a chiming watch with a diameter of 45mm and a thickness of 14.99mm was indeed a challenge. Everything about the design of Calibre 3655 has been thought out with space constraints in mind, especially regarding the minute repeater with a four-gong and four-hammers Westminster chime. Redesigned with more compact dimensions and greater mass, the hammers and gongs are positioned on either side of the base plate to gain height and efficiency.
Why is this piece referred to as an astronomical watch?
This watch occupies a special place in horology, especially since it integrates astronomical functions related to the Sun’s apparent course across the sky. It is rare for a timepiece to display civil time with central hours and minutes, solar time with the equation of time display, and sidereal time coupled with the movement of the constellations. Thanks to an innovative mechanism, it displays the sun’s position, height, time of its culmination, and angle of declination in real time.
This construction requires differentiation in the gear trains to account for the peculiarities of the solar system – groundbreaking feats for a mechanical wristwatch.
The third astronomical complication—sidereal time—is linked to the split-second chronograph function and displayed on the back of the watch. It allows us to determine when a chosen star will appear in our field of vision.
These highly complicated mechanisms are part of a long tradition of astronomical watches at Vacheron Constantin, dating back to the early 19th century and including the Les Cabinotiers Celestia presented in 2017, with 23 functions inspired by astronomy.
You mentioned eight years of development for this watch. How many people were involved in the project?
The creation of this new timepiece differed from the Reference 57260 and the Berkley Grand Complication pieces with a record number of complications – each occupied three watchmakers for respectively eight and eleven years. A single watchmaker is behind the entire project of Les Cabinotiers Solaria. He designed the movement, imagined the case – a direct response to the movement architecture – and guided the choice of finishes to be applied to every element.
A Legacy of Excellence: Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin has been at the forefront of watchmaking innovation for centuries, crafting timepieces that set global benchmarks in sophistication and precision. Renowned for its pioneering spirit, the Maison proudly holds the title of creator behind the Vacheron Constantin world record watch, a testament to their unmatched dedication and relentless pursuit of horological excellence.
At the core of this extraordinary legacy lies the innovative Calibre 3655 astronomical functions, an exceptional movement that masterfully combines intricate complications and refined elegance. This caliber exemplifies the pinnacle of mechanical watchmaking, seamlessly integrating numerous functionalities within a confined, elegant space.
Vacheron Constantin’s reputation for creating exquisite astronomical complications wristwatches is unrivaled. They are distinguished by their meticulous attention to detail and technical sophistication. Their craftsmanship in grand complication watches showcases the pinnacle of horological artistry, effortlessly blending tradition with cutting-edge technology.
Further elevating their horological mastery, Vacheron Constantin introduced an ingenious mechanism to display sidereal solar civil time, harmonizing three distinct temporal measurements into a single masterpiece. This innovation underscores the brand’s commitment to precision, tradition, and groundbreaking watchmaking.
Every timepiece crafted by Vacheron Constantin tells a story of legacy, innovation, and timeless sophistication, affirming its status as one of the world’s most revered and distinguished watchmakers.
