An eloquent expression of Geneva’s most demanding Fine Watchmaking traditions, Traditionnelle collection welcomes an exclusive version of the famous Vacheron Constantin World Time model presented in 2011. Simultaneously displayed 37 of the world’s time zones, this travel watch with a three-part dial is adorned with a hand-enamelled gold world map. Depicted in subtly graded shades of blue, the seas and continents composed a miniature work resulting from patient and meticulous craftsmanship and brimming with graphic details and depth effects. A blend of artisanal refinement and perfect technical mastery, the new Traditionnelle World Time is Distinguished by its user friendliness enhanced by the crown-operated activation of all functions. This Hallmark of Geneva certified model appears attired in precious platinum for a 10-piece limited edition.

This remarkable edition is joining the renowned Traditionnelle collection by Vacheron Constantin, a shining star on Geneva’s Fine Watchmaking traditions inherited from the 18th century. Crafted in opaque enamel and grisaille enamel, its dial highlights the horological expertise of the Manufacture, conveyed through traditional decorative crafts perpetuated across the centuries. This distinctive and sophisticated World Time display, composed of the three superimposed discs, is enhanced by a miniature enamelled gold world map.

The seas, portrayed in an opaque blue shade of enamel, accentuate every detail of the continents they surround. The strikingly realistic coastal and land reliefs take on subtle shade of blue and white, achieved using the grisaille enamel technique. This delicate paint, composed of Limoges white – an extremely rare and fine powder mixed with oils – is applied to the dark enamel in tiny touches and meticulously drawn out using needles and brushes. This material is particularly difficult to work with and calls for dexterity, experience and extreme precision in adjusting the firing times – to the nearest second – for each layer applied.

Opaque enamel calls for equally painstaking care and can tolerate no flaws, since the light directly strikes even the slightest bump or rough patch, instead of being absorbed by the translucent nature of a traditional enamel. This technique used for the world map is picked up on the 24-hour disc bearing gold hour-markers and the 37 city names painted on dark blue opaque enamel. They appear in white for those representing time zones with a full-hour time difference and in sky blue for those with half-hour or quarter-hour time differences, all swept over by 18-carat gold hands and rimmed by a minute ring. After 20 hours of decorative craftsmanship and ten firings, the tableau springs to life, graced with a wealth of fine details and fascinating light effects.

The traditionnelle World Time model frames this exceptional dial with a precious 42.5mm-diameter case, water-resistant to 30 metres and housing Caliber 2460 WT, developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin. In addition to central hours, minutes and seconds hands, this mechanical self-winding movement also powers a combination of original functions: simultaneous reading of 37 world time zones – including those offset by a half-hour of quarter-hour compared with Coordinated Universal Time – along with a day/night indication and simplified adjustment of all thee indications via the crown. Its rating precision is further ensured by a stop-seconds system. Set to winter time in the Northern hemisphere, 225-part Caliber 2460 WT features a 22-carat gold oscillating weight, a balance wheel beating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 VpH) and a 40-hour power reserve.

The limited edition – available exclusively from Vacheron Constantin boutiques – consists of ten individually numbered watches bearing the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva and fitted with an elegant blue Mississippiensis alligator leather strap with large square scales and a platinum triple folding clasp.

Images courtesy of Vacheron Constantin