Vacheron Constantin has set a new benchmark in haute horlogerie with the release of the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication—La Première, now officially the most complicated wristwatch ever created. Surpassing previous record-holders like the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime and Vacheron’s own Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication, this timepiece cements the brand’s legacy of technical mastery.
Engineering Marvel in Miniature
What makes the Solaria extraordinary is not just its 41 complications—ranging from a Westminster carillon minute repeater to a Gregorian perpetual calendar—but the fact that its 1,521 components are housed in a movement measuring just 36 mm by 10.96 mm, encased in a 45 mm by 14.99 mm gold chassis. By comparison, the brand’s Ref. 57260 pocket watch, previously the most complicated watch ever made, required three watchmakers; the Solaria was crafted almost entirely by a single virtuoso: Jean-Marie Bouquin, the 44-year-old mastermind behind Vacheron’s 2017 Celestia.
A Symphony of Complications
The Solaria integrates astronomical functions never before combined in a wristwatch. One standout feature allows the wearer to track celestial bodies: select a star on the caseback’s sky map, activate the split-second chronograph, and a green triangle points to the hour it will appear in the night sky. Driving these innovations is a patented monobloc multi-cam system, which synchronizes five astronomical displays while saving space and energy.
Revolutionary Serviceability
Despite its complexity, Vacheron prioritized wearability and serviceability. The movement features a ”plug-and-play” modular system, allowing quick access for maintenance without dismantling the dial or perpetual calendar. The tourbillon, crafted from silicon and gold for precision, pairs with an 80-hour power reserve—remarkable for a watch of this caliber.
A Collector’s Holy Grail
While the Solaria is a one-of-a-kind piece (“La Première”), Vacheron plans to adapt its movement for future limited editions. Given that the Ref. 57260 reportedly sold for $8–10 million, this wristwatch will likely command an even higher price—reserved for the most discerning (and deep-pocketed) collectors.
In horological terms, the Solaria isn’t just a watch; it’s a mechanical universe on the wrist.
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