Fine watchmaking has its quota of exemplary models that attract more than their share of collectors and fan the ardour of the true enthusiast. Only a few chronographs are worthy of belonging to this elite circle. Such factors as the configuration of the movement, its performance, reliability and finish inspire the awe in which they are held. The Vacheron Constantin Chronograph Perpetual Calendar “Calibre 1141QP” indubitably belongs among these legendary movements.


This jewel of the watchmaker’s art that’s only 7.40 mm thick is of the mechanical kind and wound by hand. It drives a column-wheel chronograph with a pivoting clutch as well as a perpetual calendar with moon phases. This outstanding mechanism has set the pace of some of the most exalted wrist-chronographs in the history of watchmaking and is regarded by all experts as the most technically and stylistically accomplished of its kind because of its extraordinary complexity and incomparable architecture.

To give it due honour, Vacheron Constantin this year presents it in a case commensurate with its status: a version in 950 platinum of the Patrimony Traditionnelle model that took its place from the outset among the reference masterpieces of the Geneva-based manufacturer.

The exterior of this superlative watch is equal to the movement it protects. The characteristic case in 950 platinum of the Patrimony Traditionnelle models obeys the conventions of elegant restraint. Its ample 43 mm diameter ensures that all the indications on the dial are clearly visible. The latter is available in an opaline silver finish with silvered subdials or in a velvety grey with snailed subdials in black rhodium. The varied hues recall the style of Vacheron Constantin’s former chronographs, and those who take an interest will recognize a particular affinity with the chronographs of the 1940s.

Vibrating 18,000 times an hour, the Calibre 1141QP can draw on a power reserve of some 48 hours. In addition to the hours and minutes with the small seconds on the left, it indicates the elapsed time with the central chronograph seconds and a 30-minute counter on the right. In the perpetual calendar, the days, months and leap years are nicely arranged in apertures while the moon phases and dates hand are displayed at 6 o’clock.

The smiling or melancholy moons are engraved by hand on a plate of solid platinum with a black patina. Like all Vacheron Constantin movements, the Calibre 1141QP is distinguished by the detailed manual labour that goes into chamfering the bridge plates decorated in Côtes de Genève and by the circular graining of the baseplate, also done by hand. These noteworthy finishes and the movement’s remarkable architecture can be appreciated through the sapphire-crystal caseback.

References	:	Patrimony Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar 47292/000P-9510 and 47292/000P-9590
Movement	:	1141 QP
Energy	:	Mechanical, manual-winding
Movement thickness	:	7.40 mm
Movement diameter	:	27.00 mm
Jewels	:	21 jewels
Frequency	:	18,000 vibrations/hour
Indications	:	Hours, minutes Small seconds at 9 o’clock Column-wheel chronograph 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock Centre chronograph hand Perpetual calendar and precision moon-phases at 6 o’clock
Power reserve	:	More than 45 hours
Case	:	950 platinum Diameter: 43 mm Convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside Screwed-down exhibition back with transparent sapphire crystal
Water-resistance	:	3 bar, equivalent to 30 metres
Dial	:	Silvered or dark grey opaline Two finely snailed counter at 3 and 9 o’clock Black or white painted minute-track
Strap	:	Black hand-stitched, saddle-finish, square-shape scales alligator leather
Clasp	:	950 platinum folding-clasp Polished half Maltese Cross