Vacheron Constantin: A tribute to the architect of modern Paris: the pinnacle of engraving and skeletonization

The one-of-a-kind Les Cabinotiers Malte Tourbillon – A Tribute to Haussmann Style – is part of the Les Cabinotiers – Voyageur (Travelogue) series, and depicts Paris, a city with which Vacheron Constantin has had a connection since 1820, through the magnificent art of engraving.

Les Cabinotiers Malte Tourbillon - A Tribute to Haussmann Style - with a Parisian motif

　Vacheron Constantin's "Les Cabinotiers - Recipes du Voyage (Travelogue)" is a series of unique pieces inspired by places associated with the brand. The Maison fatefully chose Paris, where it began trading in 1820, and did not hesitate to do so. This is how "Les Cabinotiers Malte Tourbillon - A Tribute to the Haussmann Style" was born. The splendor of the skeletonized finish, the gorgeous engravings that fill the case, and the intricacy of the in-house movement, including the tourbillon, all share an underlying theme of the "Haussmann style."

　The term Haussmann style, primarily used in the world of architecture, is named after Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, who served as mayor of Paris from 1853 to 70. It was in the second half of the 19th century that Paris was finally realized in its current state of splendor, and Haussmann was a central figure in this endeavor. In this timepiece, the lines of the skeletonized components artistically intertwine and join together, just like the ideal Parisian streets that Haussmann envisioned. The overall proportions are excellent, as if a sense of unity was the result of the regulations and decorative obligations imposed on the building, and the details of the sculptures are impeccable.

　Geometric road layouts and artistic architecture. In the strictest sense, the Haussmann style refers to the exteriors of these buildings and the decorations that adorn their facades and walls. This is how the Paris that we admire from the streets was created. Vacheron Constantin shared the same century.

　A tribute to the Haussmannian style, Les Cabinotiers Malte Tourbillon is equipped with an ultra-thin caliber, measuring just 12.7mm thick. This technical achievement is not only a testament to the skillful use of limited space, but also echoes the dramatic transformation of Paris, which transformed the city into a modern one while actively incorporating ingenious ornamentation, turning it into a work of art.

　The case's decoration is inspired by the facades of Haussmann-style architecture. The middle case features a bas-relief lion, a motif familiar to Parisians and found throughout Paris, including the lion with its tongue out at Place Denfert-Rochereau. The hand-engraved, interlocking triangular motif on the movement is inspired by the steel truss structure of the Eiffel Tower, a work of art completed in 1889. The Eiffel Tower, then and now, overlooks all of Haussmann's masterpieces. At its height of an astounding 300 meters, it was completed in Paris for the IV Universal Exhibition, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. This monument, celebrating the 19th century's greatest urban transformation, has been reimagined into a unique, contemporary piece.

　The tourbillon carriage, supported by a horizontal bridge, forms the Maltese cross, the symbol of the Maison. This is a symbolic form of artistic agency, just like the Arc de Triomphe, which radiates from the center of the square that runs through the Champs-Élysées.

　Haussmann-style Paris is known as the City of Light. The Les Cabinotiers Malte Tourbillon - A Tribute to Haussmann Style - reflects this spirit in its radiance. This watch is not a replica of the city, but rather Paris itself in the shape of a watch.

Professor Hirota's "This is amazing!"

　Vacheron Constantin's Haute Horlogerie is characterised by the choice of techniques to suit the theme, an approach that requires mastery of technique.

　This time, the company's goal was to express the characteristics of various cities through the overall design of the timepiece. To that end, the interior and exterior are lavishly engraved. What catches the eye on the exterior is the high relief, which is a pattern carved into a raised shape. This was often seen in the era of pocket watches, but it is extremely rare to see such intricate designs on a wristwatch.

　To highlight this, the entire skeletonized movement is intricately engraved. Despite the use of many techniques and the engravings throughout, the watch's overall cohesion is truly exceptional. Only Vacheron Constantin, which has mastered its craft, can do so without letting the techniques overwhelm the packaging.