Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grisaille High Jewellery Dragon

Quick specs Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grisaille High Jewellery Dragon
Price: on request
Size: 40 mm
Reference: 2017C/000G-096C – limited to one piece

Another new Les Cabinotiers is the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grisaille High Jewellery Dragon. This special timepiece pays a tribute to China as Vacheron started its business there in 1845. Nowadays it is considered as one of VC’s biggest markets. This unique piece fits perfectly well within the new series of models that tell the travel stories of the brand. These stories are covered by models in the Les Cabinotiers – Récits de Voyages line, just like this Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Armillary tourbillon.

This model has a 40-millimeter white gold case paved with 146 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 7.10 cts), including on the lugs, bezel and middle, and it is 8.90 millimeters thick. The crown has a reverse-set brilliant-cut diamond. The dial features an image of a dragon in green grisaille enamel, an old technique of creating enamel layers to form a motif. Which is completely visible since the watch has no hour or minute markers. The dragon depicts the mythical five-clawed imperial dragon.

The Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grisaille High Jewellery Dragon has a power reserve of 40 hours

Inside ticks the automatic Vacheron Constantin caliber 1120. With a thickness of 2.4 millimeters it is one of the thinnest mechanical movements of the brand. It was developed in 1968 and had a redesign in 2010 maintaining the size. However the power reserve could improve to 40 hours. Parts of this splendid movement can be seen through the transparent case back.

The Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grisaille High Jewellery Dragon comes on a dark green Mississippiensis alligator leather strap with alligator leather inner shell. It is handstitched, has saddle-finish, large square scales, and is secured with a white gold pin buckle set with 16 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 0.60 ct).

The thinnest movements of Vacheron Constantin

There always was and still is a ‘need’ to create a thin movement. It’s lighter, easier to house or case, and more comfortable to wear. It is not necessarily easier to maintain, and the thinner the components the more vulnerable they become, you might think. But watch brands in general, and Vacheron Constantin specifically, have proven that even the thinnest movement can maintain the highest quality standards.

Vacheron Constantin already developed an ultra-thin movement in 1911. Even three different calibers, all with a thickness of 2.82 millimeters. In 1917 they managed to create a 2.25-millimeter thick caliber and 1924 they even reached 1.88 millimeters. To celebrate the bicentenary of the brand, Vacheron Constantin presented the calibre 1003 in 1955. A manual-winding movement of just 1.64 millimeters thick, and at the time the thinnest ever produced. The thinnest movement for a production watch now? Probably this 1.18-millimeter caliber RM UP-01 by Richard Mille, in the Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari.