bedrijfsnieuws over Vacheron Constantin Debuts Worlds Most Complex Watch After 11 Years

Time is the ultimate measure of value. When Vacheron Constantin unveiled the Ref.57260 in 2015—a grand complication wristwatch boasting 57 functions—the world marveled at its technical mastery and boundary-pushing craftsmanship. Yet, merely nine years later, the Swiss manufacture has stunned the horological community again with its latest creation: "Les Cabinotiers The Berkley Grand Complication" (hereafter "The Berkley"), which shatters records with an astonishing 63 complications. This achievement transcends numerical supremacy, representing instead a profound homage to traditional watchmaking and the relentless pursuit of innovation.

Far from being a mere accumulation of functions, "The Berkley" exemplifies the perfect fusion of haute horlogerie and cultural depth. Alongside traditional complications like a triple-axis tourbillon, perpetual calendar, and chronograph, it features a world-first: a Chinese perpetual calendar. This groundbreaking feature underscores Vacheron Constantin's technical prowess while demonstrating respect for global cultural traditions.

• Reference: Ref.9901C/000G-B472
• Complications: 63 functions, including the world's first Chinese perpetual calendar
• Movement: Manual-winding Caliber 3752
• Jewels: 245
• Frequency: 18,000 vibrations/hour
• Power reserve: Approximately 60 hours
• Case: 18K white gold (98mm diameter, 50.55mm thickness)
• Weight: 980 grams
• Components: 2,877 parts
• Water resistance: None

"The Berkley" is no standalone marvel but rather shares profound connections with its predecessor, Ref.57260. Both timepieces were born from Vacheron Constantin's Les Cabinotiers department, representing the pinnacle of the brand's watchmaking artistry. Development of "The Berkley" actually commenced before Ref.57260's completion, making them horological siblings.

While Ref.57260 celebrated Vacheron Constantin's 260th anniversary, "The Berkley" was commissioned by a private collector—William R. Berkley, the same connoisseur who owns Ref.57260. A prominent insurance executive and chairman of New York University's Board of Trustees, Berkley is both a loyal Vacheron Constantin client and an avid collector of grand complications, including the legendary "King Farouk" pocket watch.

Berkley challenged Vacheron Constantin to surpass Ref.57260's achievements. The result preserves core mechanisms like the triple-axis tourbillon and striking mechanisms while introducing bold innovations.

The most significant departure from Ref.57260 is "The Berkley's" replacement of the Hebrew calendar with the groundbreaking Chinese perpetual calendar—a feat requiring 11 years of development. Unlike Western calendars, the Chinese lunisolar system presents extraordinary complexity, with variable year lengths (353-355 days for common years; 383-385 for leap years), months alternating between 29-30 days, and intercalary months added every 2-3 years, creating six possible annual configurations.

Additionally, "The Berkley" displays the Chinese calendar's 60-year cycle (combining celestial stems and earthly branches), 24 solar terms, and moon phases. Remarkably, this mechanism won't require adjustment until 2200—a 180-year programming achievement. At that time, replacing a single gear will enable another 180 years of precision.

Beyond its calendar innovations, "The Berkley" showcases meticulous refinements. Per Berkley's request, it incorporates a night silence feature (10 PM to 8 AM) for its striking mechanisms and hides the chiming mainspring's winding crown to preserve aesthetic purity.

Renowned horological critic Dr. Hirota, who examined Ref.57260, praised Vacheron Constantin's dedication. When asked whether the brand would create an even more complex watch after Ref.57260, Vacheron Constantin initially responded negatively due to contractual obligations. That the same collector later commissioned "The Berkley" speaks volumes about this timepiece's exceptional nature.

"The Berkley" transcends watchmaking to become a cultural artifact—one that embodies human ingenuity in measuring time and understanding the cosmos. While its full complexity defies brief description, this masterpiece will undoubtedly claim a prominent place in horological history.

1. Hours
2. Minutes
3. Seconds
4. Tourbillon
5. Triple-axis tourbillon
6. Perpetual calendar
7. Chinese perpetual calendar
8. Gregorian date
9. Gregorian day
10. Gregorian month
11. Leap year indicator
12. Chinese year
13. Chinese month
14. Chinese date
15. Chinese intercalary month
16. Chinese solar terms
17. Chinese moon phase
18. Chinese double-hour
19. Chinese five elements
20. Chinese celestial stems/earthly branches
21. Equation of time
22. Sunrise time
23. Sunset time
24. Day length
25. Night length
26. Zodiac constellation
27. Celestial chart
28. Sidereal hours
29. Sidereal minutes
30. Sidereal seconds
31. Tide indicator
32. Moon age
33. Lunar phase
34. Earth rotation
35. World time
36. Daylight saving time
37. Grand strike
38. Small strike
39. Hour strike
40. Quarter strike
41. Minute strike
42. Night silence
43. Alarm
44. Alarm hour strike
45. Alarm quarter strike
46. Alarm minute strike
47. Alarm night silence
48. Chronograph
49. Split-seconds chronograph
50. Flyback chronograph
51. Chronograph minutes
52. Chronograph hours
53. Power reserve (mainspring)
54. Power reserve (striking)
55. Winding indicator (mainspring)
56. Winding indicator (striking)
57. Silence mode indicator
58. Alarm indicator
59. Alarm power reserve
60. Thermometer
61. Hygrometer
62. Barometer
63. Altimeter