Introducing – Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon – Now With Slate Dial, Still With Exceptional Level of Finishing

The Malte has always had a special position in the Vacheron Constantin collection, featuring something that seems to have largely disappeared nowadays: a shaped case. Indeed, the Malte relies on a certain Art-Deco flair, an outdated style that gives the watch all its charm. But this timepiece is not just a pretty face, inside the case is an exquisitely finished (to say the least) tourbillon movement. And now, its 18k pink gold case has been combined with a dark grey dial, for a warmer look. Here is the Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Pink Gold Slate Dial.

The Vacheron Constantin Malte makes quite a statement, especially in this tourbillon version, the largest of them all. First of all, it grabs your attention with its shape. While the vast majority of the watches produced by the Swiss rely on a (very… too) traditional round case, the Malte harks back to an era where everything was permitted – and accepted. The tonneau (barrel) shape of the case refers to the early 20th century, to the era of Art-Deco, when shaping things was trendy, creating a break with the traditional shape of pocket watches. Not only is the shape distinctive, but the size of this tourbillon version makes it also rather present: 38mm in width (reasonable) but 48,2mm in length. And such dimensions on a shaped case are a clear statement when worn.

For the 2017 collection, the Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon adopts a new style, in the same vein as recent watches launched by the brand – and admittedly a combination that works really well in the metal: an 18k pink gold alloy for the case combined with a slate-colored dial. Warm, contrasted, yet elegant, it offers a slightly different appeal than the white dialled versions and makes it seem a bit more compact too. The applied Roman indexes with a large XII reinforce the Art-Deco style of the watch. It is combined with a hand-stitched black Mississippiensis alligator leather strap with alligator inner shell.

What doesn’t change in this Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon is the exceptionally finished movement. On the back side, you can observe nicely designed bridges, with multiple internal polished anglages (something that can only be achieved by trained hands and that is highly time-consuming). Thin Geneva stripes, polished and beveled screw-heads, chamfered wheels, opened tourbillon bridge… The Hallmark of Geneva is entirely justified here.

Finally, there’s the tourbillon itself. It is enclosed in a Maltese cross-shaped carriage (reminiscent of Vacheron’s emblem), which is entirely mirror polished and again shows multiple internal angles (imagine the complexity of the finishing on such a small and delicate piece). On top, the transversal bridge that hold the tourbillon is even more impressive, with its rounded profile (a nightmare for polishers). It is in such small details that you can recognize haute-horlogerie.

The manually-wound Calibre 2795 of the Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon comprises 165 pieces, is a slow-beater at 2.5Hz and boasts 45 hours of power reserve. A small second is attached directly to the tourbillon carriage and time is given by slightly off-centered hour and minute hands. Price should be equivalent to the white dial version, meaning EUR 171,200. More details on www.vacheron-constantin.com.

Technical Specifications – Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon

• Case: 38mm width x 48.2mm height x 12.7 mm thick – 18k pink gold – sapphire crystal on both sides – 30m water resistant
• Movement: Calibre 2795, in-house, Hallmark of Geneva – hand-wound – 2.5Hz / 18,000vph – 45H power reserve – hours, minutes, one-minute tourbillon with small seconds
• Strap: hand-stitched black Mississippiensis alligator leather strap with alligator inner shell, 18k pink gold folding clasp
• Reference: 30130/000R-B289