Marking its 270th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin continues its spirit of discovery with a remarkable new creation from the Les Cabinotiers collection — The Armillary Tourbillon: Myth of the Pleiades.
Inspired by the Greek myth of the Pleiades, the watch immortalises the Seven Sisters — daughters of Atlas, transformed by Zeus into a constellation that guided ancient sailors across unknown seas. Every surface of the 18K rose gold case is engraved in exquisite bas-relief, depicting Orion’s pursuit, Taurus’s protection, and the celestial voyage of the ship Argos.
Ten brilliant-cut diamonds trace the stars of the Pleiades across the engraved heavens, their placement determined with astronomical precision. The result: an extraordinary fusion of myth, art, and mechanical genius that required over 450 hours of engraving.
At the heart of this horological constellation lies the Calibre 1990, a hand-wound manufacture movement protected by four patents. Originally derived from the legendary Reference 57260, it combines a bi-retrograde display of hours and minutes with a mesmerising bi-axial armillary tourbillon.
Rotating on two axes under a sapphire dome, the tourbillon recalls the armillary spheres used by early astronomers to map the heavens. Crafted in lightweight aluminium, the twin cages form a Maltese cross every 15 seconds — a poetic signature of the Maison.
The movement beats at 18,000 vph, equipped with a spherical balance spring and an escapement featuring a titanium anchor and diamond pallets for reduced friction and enhanced chronometry. A 60-hour power reserve supports the remarkable display, each component meticulously finished to the highest Genevan standards.
Beyond its technical complexity, this one-of-one creation embodies Vacheron Constantin’s mastery of artistic crafts — from hand engraving and champlevé finishing to the precision gem-setting that evokes the very night sky. The interplay of light across sculpted surfaces, polished ridges, and satin textures gives the piece an ethereal vitality, as though the constellations themselves are alive beneath the sapphire dome.
With The Myth of the Pleiades, Vacheron Constantin reaffirms its devotion to the pursuit of knowledge, beauty, and mechanical perfection — values that have defined the Maison since 1755. This Les Cabinotiers creation is more than a timepiece; it is a celebration of mankind’s eternal quest to understand the cosmos — where art, science, and myth converge in mechanical harmony.
Technical Specifications:
Armillary Tourbillon – Myth of the Pleiades
Reference 9890C/000R-273C
Certified by the Hallmark of Geneva
Calibre
1990
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical with manual winding
35.50 mm diameter, 10 mm thickness
Movement power reserve: approximately 60 hours
Frequency: 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations/hour)
299 components
45 jewels
‘Soft champagne’ finish, bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève, circular satin-finished plate
Indications
Retrograde hours and minutes
Small seconds on tourbillon
Armillary tourbillon
Case
750/1000 4N pink gold, hand-engraved and set with 10 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.02 ct, IF-VVS, D-G)
45 mm diameter, 20.13 mm thickness
Transparent caseback with sapphire crystal. Water resistance tested to a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 metres)
Dial
4N pink gold colour with sunray satin finish, circular satin-finished hour markers and minute track
Blue titanium hands
Strap
Dark blue Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator leather lining, hand-stitched, saddle-stitched finish, large square scales
Clasp
Hand-engraved 4N 750/1000 pink gold folding clasp
Case & accessories
Les Cabinotiers model
Single-piece edition
“Unique piece”, “Les Cabinotiers” and “AC” coat of arms engravings on the back of the watch
Price
Upon request
For more information please visit Vacheron Constantin