The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon China Limited Edition

Swiss high-end manufacturer Vacheron Constantin has a long tradition of delivering specific watches to the Middle Kingdom. For instance, every year, the brand creates Métiers d’Art watches dedicated to the Chinese zodiac signs, such as the recently launched Year of the Tiger models. Today, Vacheron releases another model exclusively made for the Chinese market, however, in a much more restrained way. Entirely dressed in Imperial Green, here’s the new Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon China Limited Edition.

This exclusive model is not entirely new and is based on an existing (and very attractive) model, the automatic Traditionnelle Tourbillon with a peripheral rotor. What the brand has done here is to introduce a symbolic colour that echoes the culture of the country where these 30 pieces will be delivered. In China, the expression “a real gentleman is elegant and dignified just as the Jade” has been used since ancient times to describe a man with a noble, virtuous character. Jade, or jadeite, a harder form of jade known by the Chinese, is greatly appreciated for its smooth, delicate colour. Of course, the preciousness of jade is classified by the purity of its colour. The highest grade of jade is known as Imperial green, the colour that Vacheron Constantin chose for its first high complication China Limited Edition wristwatch.

This new Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon China Limited Edition is housed in a 41mm case made of polished 18k pink gold, with all the classic attributes of the Traditionnelle collection, such as the straight and angular flanks and the notched caseback ring. Shared with the regular model part of the permanent collection, this case is attached to a green-coloured alligator strap with an 18k 5N pink gold folding clasp.

The main specificity of this edition is, of course, its dial and the delicate Imperial Jade green colour. The pink gold applied markers, hands and the discreet railroad minutes track are applied to the gleaming sunburst surface. The focus is almost exclusively on the complication, meaning the large opening at 6 o’clock housing the one-minute tourbillon under its bercé-polished bridge.

Under the sapphire caseback is the in-house Hallmark of Geneva-certified calibre 2160. Apart from its anti-gravity regulating organ, what sets this movement apart is its slenderness (5.65mm) thanks to the use of a peripheral rotor. Contrary to a classic oscillating weight positioned on top of the movement and adding thickness, a peripheral rotor is placed on the movement’s periphery and rotates around it. And not only does it make the movement thinner, but it also allows for a better view of the delicate decoration, which includes hand-chamfered and finished parts. This movement runs at a relatively sedate frequency of 2.5Hz but can store up to 80 hours of energy.

The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon China Limited Edition (ref. 6000T/000R-B972) will be a limited edition of 30 individually numbered pieces, available exclusively from China-based boutiques and retailers. The price isn’t confirmed yet but expect around EUR 145,000, a similar price to the classic model available worldwide. More details at vacheron-constantin.com.