Vacheron Constantin

An extremely attractive and rare complicated wristwatch of the famous traditional Swiss watch brand Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest watch brand in continuous operation since its founding in 1755. Estimated production years: 2000–2011. Tonneau shaped case made of 18k rose gold, dimensions 36 x 36mm, thickness 11.80mm, skeleton matt rose gold dial, sapphire caseback. Hand-wound caliber 1790SQ, skeletonised, power reserve up to 55 hours. Functions – indication of time in hours and minutes, small seconds hand on tourbillon shaft, date and power reserve sub-dials. Black crocodile strap, Vacheron Constantin half Maltese cross-shaped rose gold pin buckle. 

Vacheron Constantin launched in 2000 the Malte collection to be named after the Maltese cross, the brand’s symbol since the late 19th century. Therefore, the distinctive fan-shaped design of the stepped lugs was chosen, expanding like the rays of the Maltese cross. The Malte Openworked Tourbillon was part of the original collection, featuring the first in-house tourbillon caliber 1790 and its skeletonized version 1790SQ. Before that, in tourbillon wristwatches – for example, in the Les Complications Tourbillon Ref. 30050 (skeletonized version Ref. 30051) of the 1990s – Vacheron Constantin used movement-blanks supplied by Nouvelle Lémania. 

The Malte Openworked Tourbillon watch was designed from scratch with a tonneau-shaped movement to match the case – a signature feature of the highest-level mechanical wristwatches and a real rarity in shaped watches. The calibre is embedded with a large tourbillon carriage in the shape of the Maltese cross. The pin buckle of the strap was created in the same shape, and the crown also bears a Maltese cross symbol. 

The 1st generation Malte Tourbillon was produced from 2000 to 2011 in a number of versions in rose gold or in platinum. Some of its references include 30066, 30067, 30145 and 30669, though we should note this list is probably not complete. In 2008 Vacheron Constantin upgraded the design, issuing Malte Tourbillon Regulator Ref. 30080 in platinum or rose gold with a case enlarged to 39.9mm, and downwardly curved, straight and shortened lugs. In 2012 the Malte collection was redesigned in order to meet the new criteria of the Hallmark of Geneva. The Malte Tourbillon Ref. 30130 and Malte Tourbillon Skeleton Ref. 30135 were given reengineered calibres – designated 2795 and 2790SQ, respectively.