Vacheron Constantin has unveiled its 2023 series of unique timepieces within the Les Cabinotiers department, the brand's bespoke workshop for one-off creations. Titled "Travel Stories," last year's collection takes inspiration from Vacheron's over 200-year history of global expansion since the early 1800s. Each of the elegant models in the new Les Cabinotiers line exemplifies the pinnacle of mechanical artistry paired with precious engraving and gem-setting.
Kicking off the collection are two impressive minute repeater tourbillon models. A white gold version features Arabic-inspired patterns engraved over months on both case and movement, recalling Vacheron's 19th century trading ties in the Middle East. Another model rendered in yellow gold draws from American Art Deco style, specifically the iconic Chrysler Building in New York City. Vacheron celebrated establishing its business presence stateside back in 1832. This patriotic timepiece has a wood marquetry dial of 110 hand-cut pieces requiring extraordinary precision and mastery.
In addition, four ultra-thin tribute watches mark memorable Asian destinations intertwined with Vacheron heritage - including the company's Geneva headquarters until 1875, the sprawling ancient city of Angkor Thom, China's historic Old Summer Palace, and the picturesque Confucius Temple. Each place is brought to life through hundreds of hours of engraving and microscopic sculpture work on dials of solid gold. No detail went overlooked in recreating these iconic sites.
Beyond Asia, Vacheron also spotlights key European locations like Paris through a Malte Tourbillon model focused on the seminal 19th century urban works of Georges Eugène Haussmann. Over 150 hours were dedicated just to engraving the similar pink gold case and movement by hand. Lastly, an Armillary Tourbillon timepiece broadly celebrates Vacheron Constantin’s longstanding ties in North and South America with a dynamically rotating biaxial tourbillon calibre and yet another month's worth of intricate case engraving rich in symbolism.
Every 2023 Les Cabinotiers creation clearly demonstrates Vacheron Constantin's adventurous global spirit spanning over two centuries. This collection simultaneously highlights the immense talents housed within the brand's bespoke workshop, where even the most complex commissions imaginable can become tangible reality thanks to generations of mastery in Swiss high watchmaking. For the fortunate few customers, owning a Les Cabinotiers timepiece represents the apex of exclusivity - a seamless fusion of precision engineering and boundless creativity never to be replicated again.