Vacheron Constantin doesn’t just chase the impossible; they define it. As a pillar of the Holy Trinity, their commitment to craftsmanship stands unmatched in the world of haute horology. With each record-breaking watch, they continue to remind us why they truly stand alone.
A 270-Year Legacy That Took My Breath Away
Vacheron Constantin has such an exceptional history of creating incredible timepieces. The deeper I dived into the archives, the more I found myself falling for the brand. I have always been someone who has admired high-complication timepieces, mechanical marvels that feature hundreds of components, inside a case the size of a 50-cent coin, working in perfect harmony. I was blown away by just how much Vacheron has contributed to the world of haute horlogerie.
When I first began researching for this article, my plan was simple: to explore all of Vacheron’s high-complication creations throughout its 270-year history. However, I’d very quickly realized I’d bitten off far more than I could chew. Vacheron Constantin’s legacy isn’t just rich, it’s monumental! The Maison has spent almost three centuries crafting record-breaking, jaw-dropping timepieces that have redefined the limits of what mechanical watchmaking can achieve.
So I did the next best thing. I pivoted. What you’re reading now is a carefully curated tribute. My take on Vacheron Constantin’s 15 most complicated and captivating timepieces. These watches, for me, are standout pieces that best define the Maison’s pursuit of the impossible.
A Brief History Of Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin was founded in 1755 by master watchmaker Jean-Marc Vacheron in Geneva. The brand is widely known as the oldest continuously operating watch manufacturer in the world. From the Maison’s humble beginnings in a modest workshop, they have survived revolutions, wars, economic crashes, and the Quartz Crisis. They have adapted to these unforgiving circumstances while staying true to their vision and values of fine watchmaking.
Over their extensive 270-year history, Vacheron Constantin has built itself a fine reputation for creating refined timepieces that showcase precision and artistic craftsmanship. The brand became a trusted name among royals and connoisseurs across Europe, the Middle East ,and beyond. Today, Vacheron Constantin sits proudly as one-third of the “Holy Trinity” of watchmaking, alongside Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. This is a title that will certainly not be taken away any time soon, and after seeing some of the incredible timepieces below, you’ll understand why.
Related Reading: Vacheron Constantin: The Watchmaker That Defined Luxury For 270 Years
What sets Vacheron Constantin apart and worthy of the Holy Trinity title isn’t just the brand’s longevity; it’s also their unrelenting pursuit of innovation without compromising tradition. From crafting some of the earliest perpetual calendars, pioneering ultra-thin movements, to producing mind-blowing record-breaking grand complications, Vacheron Constantin has continuously pushed the boundaries of what is possible in mechanical watchmaking. By doing so, the Maison hasn’t just contributed to watchmaking; they have reshaped it, elevating horology into something closer to philosophy, poetry, and fine art!
Understanding High & Grand Complications
Before we dive into Vacheron Constantin’s exceptional creations, we first need to understand what a high-complication timepiece is. For those that are new to watches, a “complication” is any function a mechanical watch performs beyond simply telling the time. These can be a range of functions, from simply having a date display to something much more complex like a tourbillon, perpetual calendar, minute repeater, or even astronomical indicators which track the stars and planets!
A high complication, however, typically refers to a watch where two or more complications are used. For example, like above said examples, a timepiece featuring a tourbillon and a perpetual calendar is considered a high complication, and adding the minute repeater to the mix makes it even more impressive, and, in many cases, earns it the title of “Grand Complication”.
“Now you might be thinking, hang on, what’s a ‘Grand Complication’ then?” Simply put, this term is reserved for watches that combine at least three major complications, typically from different technical categories (e.g., a chiming function, a calendar function, and a regulating organ like a tourbillon or chronograph). Grand complication timepieces are considered the “holy grail” of watchmaking, as they require an exceptional level of mechanical integration, craftsmanship, and finishing. I, for one, would love to own one one day!
So what makes high & grand complication timepieces so incredible and captivating, compared to just time-only models, regardless of how useful the functions may be for daily life, is that there are often hundreds of individual components, all hand-assembled and adjusted to tolerances that are measured in microns! Grand-Complication timepieces can take years to design, develop, and assemble by expert watchmakers and represent the pinnacle of what is possible with micro-engineering and mechanical watchmaking.
What Sparked Vacheron’s Obsession With High Complications?
Vacheron Constantin’s introduction into the world of high complications began with their relentless commitment to refinement and mastery of watchmaking skills. If we go back as far as the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Vacheron Constantin was already creating pocket watches with chiming mechanisms and calendar displays. By the early 1900’s the Maison’s clientele shifted from local royalty to global royalty and wealthy collectors. With this now prestigious demand, came the need to create for more increasingly complex, unique commissions.
One of the first and most recognised examples of Vacheron Constantin’s master watchmaking skills was the 1929 pocket watch made for King Fuad I of Egypt. This pocket watch, however, fits perfectly into the “Grand Complication” category. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, the timepiece combined a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph, and if that wasn’t enough, a grande and petite sonnerie (chiming complication where the watch automatically strikes the hours and quarters (grande), or just the hours (petite), similar to a clock tower). To say that this was an extraordinary feat of engineering for its time would be a massive understatement.
From this point, Vacheron Constantin’s obsession with creating complex timepieces only grew further. Rather than mastering the complications individually, the Maison began to stack them, oftentimes in configurations no one even dared to attempt. But what made this endeavor special was that they didn’t chase numbers. Every new complication that was created was treated as a creative opportunity for the brand to not only push its boundaries, but also to reimagine mechanical watchmaking. This relentless pursuit of horological complexity eventually led to the birth of “Les Cabinotiers,” a dedicated division within Vacheron Constantin focused entirely on grand complication watchmaking.
What Is Les Cabinotiers? The Soul of Vacheron’s Highest Watchmaking
Les Cabinotiers traces its roots back to the 18th-century Geneva ateliers, where elite watchmakers, known as cabinotiers, worked in sunlit attic studios creating some of the most exceptional bespoke timepieces. In 2006, Vacheron Constantin institutionalised this elite heritage by creating a modern Les Cabinotiers workshop. This workshop was a dedicated division within Vacheron Constantin for creating one-of-a-kind grand complication creations, being carefully engineered and hand-assembled to each collector’s vision.
Today, the Les Cabinotiers division stands as a symbol of Vacheron’s relentless pursuit of innovation. The timepieces that are produced by the master watchmakers in Les Cabinotiers are nothing short of being mechanical marvels. Watches that feature bi-axial armillary tourbillons, multi-retrograde displays, minute repeaters, perpetual calendars, and even artisanal crafts such as enameling, guilloché, and hand engraving, all brought together in beautiful storytelling that showcases astronomy, mythology, and personal symbolism. Each project is conceived as both a horological experiment and wearable art, often taking years to develop and receive hallmark-level decoration, making Les Cabinotiers the heart of Vacheron Constantin’s grand complication legacy.
The Evolution of Complexity
Narrowing this list down to just 15 timepieces was without a doubt the most challenging part of this article for me. With a 270-year legacy and an entire department that is dedicated to creating incredible grand complications, Vacheron Constantin has created dozens, if not more, technically groundbreaking watches, many of which could easily earn a spot in this article.
From the pocket watches made for royalty, to one-off masterpieces crafted by Les Cabinotiers, the brand’s contribution to high & grand complication watchmaking is just overwhelming, and rightfully gives them the title of being one of the three “Holy Trinity” watchmakers. For the sake of clarity (and my sanity), I’ve carefully curated this list to be what I think are the 15 most significant and mechanically ambitious timepieces.
1918 – Packard Pocket Watch
One of the earliest examples of Vacheron Constantin’s high watchmaking expertise was showcased in the 1918 Packard Pocket Watch. James Ward Packard, the renowned American automobile magnate, and a passionate watch collector, commissioned this pocket watch. Packard was one of the few collectors at the time who had the means and the taste to commission specific one-off pieces, while also pushing Swiss watchmakers to their limits. Adding to his extensive collection, which also features a high-complication Patek Philippe, this Vacheron Constantin is one of the standout models, as it has a minute repeater, chronograph, and a grand feu enamel dial. All of this is encased in a beautifully hand-finished gold hunter case.
This, for me, represents the starting point of something much bigger for Vacheron Constantin. For the era it was created in, it was a staggering achievement. It brought together mechanical brilliance and personal prestige. It was a pocket watch that was not designed to impress the public, but to satisfy the demands of a collector who had a deep passion for horology. Watches like these paved the way for the creation of “Les Cabinotiers,” creating bespoke models for avid collectors.
1929 – King Fuad 1 Pocket Watch No. 402833
If it was the 1918 Packard commission that started the spark of innovation of creating high-complication pieces, then the King Fuad 1 Pocket Watch was the fire. In 1929, Vacheron Constantin created the quite extraordinary grande complication pocket watch for King Fuad I of Egypt. This pocket watch was one of the most luxurious and technically ambitious pieces of its time. It was given the name No. 402833 and came with many different complications, which include a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph, and a grande and petite sonnerie. To finish it off, it was encased in a stunning 18k yellow fold case with exemplary finishing.
Personally, to me, this is Vacheron Constantin showcasing to the world what mechanical mastery looked like at the time. This piece is fascinating not just for its technical brilliance, but for what it also represented: a turning point in Vacheron Constantin’s identity. For the Maison, to be chosen by a king to create such a complicated and personalised watch was more than just an honour; it cemented Vacheron Constantin’s reputation as a watchmaker to royalty.
2005 – Tour de I ‘lle Wristwatch
While a lot certainly did happen between 1929 and 2005, I chose this timepiece specifically as it represented another “shift” in Vacheron Constantin’s timeline. The Tour de I ‘lle Wristwatch was created to celebrate the brand’s 250th anniversary, and what a way to do so! This was a landmark piece that marked a new era of ultra-complication. The Tour de I ‘lle Wristwatch featured 16 complications, which made it the most complicated wristwatch at the time of its release. The complications include: minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, equation of time, sunrise and sunset times, celestial chart with sidereal time, second time zone, day/night indication, and finally a moonphase indicator.
The watch was named after Île de la Cité in Geneva, where Vacheron’s original headquarters stood, and was limited to just 7 models worldwide, each one being sold to elite collectors. The Tour de I ‘lle Wristwatch was also one of the earliest examples of a double-sided dial (besides the Reverso Duoface), a necessary design to showcase the sheer number of complications. To me, the Tour de I ‘lle Wristwatch is Vacheron Constantin now going full throttle, creating complex, confident, and unapologetically grand timepieces! The Tour de I ‘lle Wristwatch also received the “Golden Hand” award in 2005 from Grand Prix d‘Horlogerie de Genève.
2015 – Reference 57260 Pocket Watch
2015 marked one of the most historic moments in the world of horology. Reference 57260 was created by Vacheron Constantin’s ultra watchmaking department, Les Cabinotiers, to celebrate the brand’s 260th anniversary. And in doing so, created the most complex mechanical watch to date. This was easily the most ambitious project undertaken by Les Cabinotiers and represents the pinnacle of what they can achieve when given unlimited creative freedom. The pocket watch features a mind-blowing 57 complications.
I mean this watch is sitting on a league of its own here. Still unmatched to this day in terms of mechanical complexity, it took 8 years of research and development by three dedicated master watchmakers from Les Cabinotiers. Fitting 10-15 complications into a mechanical piece the size of a 50-cent coin is already mind-boggling, but 57 complications? The key complications in Reference 57260 includes a Triple-axis tourbillon, Multiple perpetual calendars (which includes a Herbrew perpetual calendar never seen before!), Equation of time, mutliple time zones and world time display, sunrise/sunset times, chronograph with split-seconds, alarm, minute repeater and Westminister chimes, “night mode” setting and a Astronomical calendar with lunar phase. The reference 57260 is proof that when there are no restraints, Vacheron Constantin can truly achieve the impossible.
2017 – Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600
The Celestia Grand Complication 3600 was another one-of-a-kind wristwatch created by Les Cabinotiers. This timepiece, however, was designed to showcase Vacheron Constantin’s mastery of astronomical complications. This dual-sided watch features a mesmerising 23 astronomical complications, which includes a tourbillon, perpetual calendar, tide level indicator, a running equation of time, civil, solar, and sidereal time, moon phases, tidal information, sunrise/sunset times, length of day, seasons, solstices, equinoxes, zodiac signs, and a celestial chart just to name a few.
While the sheer complexity of the timepiece with the various astronomical complications certainly stood out to me, what made this timepiece even more impressive is the overall movement. The Calibre 3600 is a hand-wound movement (as expected) which is made up of 514 components, while offering an incredible 3-week (21 days) power reserve thanks to six barrels! The Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600 also comes hallmarked with the Geneva Seal, which signifies its strict quality and finishing standards.
2018 – Les Cabinotiers Grand Complication “Ornementale” and “Crocodile”
In 2018, Vacheron Constantin’s high-watchmaking department released two timepieces that were a part of a small series of one-of-a-kind grand complication watches. Named the Ornementale and Crocodile, both bespoke creations were well known for their artistic craftsmanship, alongside their technical ingenuity. Each of the pieces came with 15 complications, which include a minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, equation of time, sunrise/sunset indicator, zodiac calendar and moonphase indicator.
The “Ornementale” timepiece features elaborate Arabesque-style engraving inspired by classical architecture and pattern work, while the “Crocodile” showcases a stunning engraved crocodile motif, hand-carved directly into the case using high-relief techniques. These two timepieces look more like horological sculptures than traditional timepieces!
2019 – Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar
One of the more “tamed” grand complication timepieces from Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers department was the Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar. This timepiece brought together acoustic beauty alongside calendar complexity in a beautiful, slim case design. You must be thinking, well, if it only has two complications, what makes it so special? The reason this watch stood out to me was the Calibre 1731 QP movement.
This ultra-thin movement measures only 5.70mm thick! When you consider that the movement features full perpetual calendar indications, a moonphase indicator, and a minute repeater, this is an extraordinary achievement. This is one of those pieces that doesn’t shout for attention; it whispers sophistication. It was created to showcase Vacheron Constantin’s ability to integrate multiple high complications in a way that maintains elegance, discretion, and wearability.
2020 – Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon Piece Unique
Another timepiece that while it doesn’t feature multiple complications, showcases an amazing feat in engineering. The Les Cabinotiers department once again created a one-of-a-kind timepiece, this time being an experimental concept with the Armillary Tourbillon Piece Unique. The timepiece features only two main complications: the retrograde time display and the bi-axial “armillary” tourbillon. Up until this point, I didn’t know such a mechanism as the “armillary tourbillon” existed.
The bi-axial “armillary” tourbillon is a tourbillon cage that rotates on two perpendicular axes, creating a mesmerizing orbital effect. The tourbillon completes a full rotation once every 60 seconds, which, as with tourbillon complications, improves the chronometric precision; however, in this case, it also offers a hypnotic movement on the wrist. The creation of the armillary tourbillon was inspired by 18th-century astronomical armillary spheres, which were ancient spheres used to track celestial bodies. This is horology at its most futuristic, and Les Cabinotiers pulled it off like it was nothing.
2021 – Vacheron Constantin Armillary Tourbillon Planetaria
On the back of creating the Armillary Tourbillon Piece Unique the previous year, Vacheron Constantin set out to expand on this extraordinary creation with a series of bespoke creations. The Les Cabinotiers department created celestial-themed timepieces focused on astronomical timekeeping while featuring multi-axis regulation. Along with the bi-axial armillary tourbillon, the Vacheron Constantin Armillary Tourbillon Planetaria also came with a 3D rotating globe showing a day/night indicator, celestial chart, sidereal time, 24-hour time display alongside other complications.
Just like most creations stemming from the Les Cabinotiers department, the Armillary Tourbillon Planetaria is a one-off model, housing an incredible 745 components. The highly complex Calibre 1991 movement was developed specifically for this piece over several years of extensive research and development. I think the best way I can sum up this watch is like strapping the Earth on your wrist. The mechanical poetry, from the bi-axial armillary tourbillon to the 3D rotating globe, is just unreal, and to me, it’s proof that Les Cabinotiers doesn’t just make watches… they build worlds.
2022 – Bacchus Grande Complication
In 2022, Les Cabinotiers released a double-sided wristwatch that featured 16 complications, inspired by both mythology and astronomy. The timepiece brought together grand complication engineering, elaborate hand engraving, and artistic symbolism inspired by Bacchus, the Roman god of wine. The decoration of the 18k 5N pink gold case features vine leaves and ruby grapes in gold foliage.
The double-dial layout is separated into the calendar and astronomical complications, which allows for an uncluttered, elegant dial design. The Calibre 2755 GC16 movement features 839 components that make up the 16 complications, which include: minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, equation of time, sunrise and sunset times, Zodiac, day, date, and month, and a moonphase indicator. The Bacchus is pure theater, and I can imagine this being exactly the timepiece the god of wine would wear if he were into haute horlogerie.
2023 – Dual Moon Grand Complication
Another majestic creation from Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers is the Dual Moon Grand Complication. As the name suggests, the timepiece is themed around dual-hemisphere moonphases, offering a poetic yet mechanically rich approach to astronomical timekeeping. The timepiece features 11 complications, which include a double moonphase (for both Northern and Southern hemispheres), tourbillon, minute repeater, perpetual calendar (day, date, month, and leap year indications), power reserve indicator, and Zodiac and solar time indicators.
What I personally love about this timepiece is how all the complications are beautifully arranged on the dial. The standout double moonphase sits at the centre, in a moon-crater-like fashion, rotating with its aesthetic moonphase discs, which are deeply detailed, showing realistic lunar textures. The Dual Moon Grand Complication is another perfect example of how Les Cabinotiers brings celestial mechanics down to the wrist!
2024 – Berkley Grand Complication
In 2024, Vacheron Constantin and their Les Cabinotiers department unveiled another one-of-a-kind showstopper that shook the entire horological world. Created for a private client, this bespoke pocket watch took the reins of the most complex mechanical watch in the world from the previous holder, who, as you may have guessed, was Vacheron Constantin through their Reference 57260 released in 2015. A project that started in 2014, essentially around the same time as the Reference 57260, was nearing completion, the Berkely Grand Complication features a mind-boggling 63 complications. I’m sure this pocket watch left a lot of people at a loss for words, much like I was when it was unveiled.
The movement features an impossible to believe (I’m running out of superlatives here) 2,877 components which power complications such as minute repeater, grand/petite sonnerie, Hebrew perpetual calendar, Chinese perpetual cnalendar (first even in a mechanical watch), tourbillon, day/night indicator, sunrise/sunset indicator, moonphase, moon age and a celestial chart, equation of time, power reserve, tide level indicator, zodiac calendar and many more. The Berkely Grand Complication was a massive collaboration between Vacheron Constantin’s top engineers and watchmakers, and is a quite literally a priceless timepiece both in labour and horological achievement.
2025 – Solaria Ultra Grand Complication – La Première
Only a year after Vacheron Constantin released the Berkely Grand Complication, the most complex mechanical watch in the world, the brand’s Les Cabinotiers department aimed for another world record: the most complex wristwatch in the world. While the Berkely Grand Complication was a pocket watch, the Solaria Ultra Grand Complication – La Première is a watch you can wear on your wrist. The timepiece houses a staggering 41 complications, which the notable complications being: an innovative Westminster minute repeater with grande and petite sonnerie, perpetual calendar with retrograde indicators, double-axis tourbillon, sidereal time, zodiac indicator, sunrise & sunset indicator, moonphase indicator, tide level indicator, celestial chart, dual time zones with independant day/night indicators, solar declination and an equation of time.
This truly is complex miniaturisation at its finest. Vacheron Constantin has shown us all along that impossible is just a word, continuously breaking records that they have already surpassed. One of the major issues that the brand faced was fitting the 1,521 parts into a case that could be worn on the wrist. Not only did the watchmakers and engineers at Les Cabinotiers achieve that, but they also somehow managed to fit it into a case size that only measures 45mm in diameter and is only 14.99mm thick. A true masterpiece to celebrate the brand’s 270th anniversary.
2025 – Overseas Grand Complication Openface
While the Solaria Ultra Grand Complication was a one-off production piece, Vacheron Constantin released a slightly more accessible complex watchmaking model with the Overseas Grand Complication Openface. Introduced to celebrate the brand’s 270th anniversary, this timepiece also elevates the Overseas collection to new heights, as it’s the first time a grand complication is being featured in this collection. The Overseas Grand Complication Openface comes with four different complications, which include a perpetual calendar, power reserve indicator, tourbillon, and, for the first time in the Overseas collection, a minute repeater.
Much like the Solaria, what makes this grand complication special is that it is housed in a very wearable case size of 44.5mm x 13.1mm. What I love about Vacheron Constantin is their ability to create stunning openworked timepieces. I’m a huge fan of skeletonised timepieces, so this was one watch that was always going to be on this list. Vacheron Constantin has been able to execute the design of this timepiece brilliantly, showcasing all the intricate parts of the complications without sacrificing legibility one bit.
2025 – Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface
The last timepiece on this list is also the most recent grand complication release from Vacheron Constantin and their Les Cabinotiers department. Another stunning one-off masterpiece, this wearable wristwatch brings together mechanical innovation with breathtaking aesthetic details. Similar to the Overseas Grand Complication Openface, this Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface features a sapphire dial that shows unobstructed views of the watch’s Calibre 2757 S movement. Featuring over 700 parts, the movement is able to power three main complications: split-seconds chronograph (rattrapante), a tourbillon, and a minute repeater, which features a flying strike governor for silent and elegant chimes.
Another timepiece that commemorates the brand’s 270th anniversary, the Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface balances old-world complication mastery with a bold, modern display, a true fusion of tradition and forward-thinking design. Being able to see all the intricate mechanisms at play, especially the chronograph, which is fully visible, with both the central and split-seconds hands being showcased in motion, is truly special. While it may not feature an astronomical amount of complications, this timepiece for me represents Vacheron Constantin flexing its modern-day watchmaking muscles.
The Future of Haute Horology Is in Safe Hands
After 270 years of uninterrupted watchmaking, Vacheron Constantin continues to prove that innovation and tradition don’t have to be mutually exclusive. From bespoke pocket watches to mind-bending masterpieces crafted by Vacheron Constantin’s high watchmaking department, Les Cabinotiers, the Maison’s incredible legacy is one of pursuit. A pursuit that is not just of technical brilliance, but beautiful storytelling through artistic creations. Every timepiece that I have put on this list is a chapter that forms a much bigger narrative for Vacheron Constantin: a brand that refuses to rest on its laurels and still treats watchmaking like the sacred art form that it always has been.
With Vacheron Constantin now creating wearable wristwatches that are breaking world records, like the Solaria Ultra Grand Complication – La Première, it’s certainly thrilling to imagine what could come next. Because, honestly, let’s face it: the Maison isn’t stopping here. The bar has been raised, and if history is any indication, it’s a ceiling of their own making, and one they’re destined to shatter once again.
I, for one, hope Vacheron Constantin never strays from their ideologies, because it’s through this unwavering commitment that the brand truly stands alone, creating world record-breaking timepieces that, quite honestly, I have run out of words to describe. Being part of the “Holy Trinity” at the very summit of haute horology, Vacheron Constantin shows the rest of the world, not just in watchmaking, what the word “impossible” really looks like.