In a singular expression of haute horlogerie, Vacheron Constantin reveals the Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface—a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that fuses three of watchmaking’s most revered complications: a split-seconds chronograph, a minute repeater, and a tourbillon with a spherical hairspring. Beyond its intricate engineering, this timepiece embodies the Maison’s devotion to transparency—both in material and in craftsmanship—through an open-faced sapphire dial that lays bare the soul of the movement beneath.
Powering the 45mm 5N pink gold case is the Calibre 2757 S, a marvel comprising 696 components arranged with extraordinary finesse. Vacheron Constantin’s dedication to innovation shines through the use of cutting-edge materials—titanium, nickel-phosphorus, aluminium, silicon—each carefully selected for optimal weight, energy efficiency, and precision. Equally astonishing is the integration of two column wheels for the chronograph functions, ensuring razor-sharp operation accurate to 1/5th of a second. A comfortable 50-hour power reserve is preserved even with the chronograph engaged, a feat enabled by the reduced friction of advanced materials.
Adding sonic dimension to the visual spectacle is the Maison’s patented flying strike governor, an ingeniously silent mechanism regulating the tempo of the minute repeater’s chimes. Meanwhile, the tourbillon—anchored by a spherical hairspring and framed by a Maltese cross—rotates serenely at six o’clock, embodying the harmony of form and function. These three complications together elevate this timepiece beyond an object of measurement, into a kinetic symphony of precision and poetry.
Aesthetically, the watch is a study in contrasts and finishes. The transparent sapphire dial, a mere 0.5mm thick, blends metallisation, NAC treatments, inked engravings, and PVD-coated olive green hands—matched seamlessly with a green alligator strap. Through the front and caseback, the eye is treated to a visual opera of hand-finished movement components: grained, satin-brushed, chamfered, bead-blasted, and polished to perfection. Even the flyweights of the striking mechanism are adorned with the engraved initials “JMV,” in homage to the Maison’s founder, Jean-Marc Vacheron.
What sets this watch apart is not only its mechanical complexity but also the craftsmanship ethos it represents. A single watchmaker was entrusted with the finishing, assembly, and adjustment—reviving the noble spirit of the 18th-century cabinotiers. The Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface is more than a grand complication; it is a living testament to generational expertise, artistic audacity, and the uncompromising spirit of Vacheron Constantin.
Completing the mechanical ballet is the unparalleled finishing of the movement—meticulously brought to life through hundreds of hours of artisanal skill. Every surface is attended to with obsessive detail: bridges are skeletonised and hand-drawn; wheels with bevelled spokes are individually rolled and polished; the governor bridge, with its round mirror-polishing, alone demands eight hours of craftsmanship. This level of refinement transforms technical mastery into aesthetic artistry, making each component not just functional but beautiful.
The openface design allows for a rare, immersive experience—inviting the wearer to appreciate the watch’s kinetic rhythm in real time. From the synchronised glide of the twin chronograph seconds hands to the orchestral chime of the minute repeater and the delicate pulsation of the tourbillon, the watch becomes a stage upon which centuries of horological evolution perform in unison. The transparency is not merely visual—it reflects the Maison’s dedication to openness in craft, integrity in design, and reverence for heritage.
Ultimately, the Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface is not simply a watch—it is a philosophical expression of time itself. It embodies rarity, complexity, and human artistry at its pinnacle. With just one piece ever created, it is destined not only to grace the wrist of a discerning collector but also to be remembered as one of the most significant mechanical achievements in modern haute horlogerie.
