Vacheron Constantin (VC) dropped the covers off its new Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication at Watches and Wonders Geneva, held during April 1st – April 7th, 2025. Its 41 complications feature 5 rare astronomical complications (including a world first) and an innovative Westminister minute repeater. A result of 8 years of development, its calibre 3655 features 1521 components. 13 patent applications have been filed for it. The Solaria is “a masterpiece of innovation and miniaturisation,” and the most complicated wristwatch ever made. A fitting way to celebrate VC’s 270th anniversary this year.
Key Features
Functions
6 time measurement functions (including a 3 Hz tourbillon with a silicon balance wheel). 8 Gregorian perpetual calendar functions. 3 Lunar indications. 14 Astronomical indications. 5 Chiming functions. 4 Split-seconds chronograph functions with 2 column-wheels. 1 power reserve indication.
Among these, the 5 rare astronomical functions include:
Position of the Sun.
Height of the Sun above the horizon (according to a city of reference).
Culmination time of the Sun (according to a city of reference).
Declination of the Sun.
Temporal tracking of celestial objects – a world first.
Several functions, such as the Sunrise time, Sunset time, Duration of day, and Sky chart can be adjusted according to a city of reference.
Movement
Powered by calibre 3655, a mechanical hand-wound movement that was “developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin.”
Diameter: 36 mm. Thickness: 10.96 mm. Components: 1521. Jewels: 204. Frequency: 21,600 vph or 3 Hz. Power reserve: 72 hours (approximately).
Movement is finished to an extremely high level. It includes bevelling, brouillage, circling, graining, mirror polishing, matt polishing, sandblasting, satin polishing, and sunray brushing.
Dial
Front
Metal dial with a black-coloured sunburst finish featuring a circular satin-finished edge. Hour and minute hands are made from 18K white gold and sandblasted. Hour-markers are made from 18K white gold. The counters are sandblasted. Sun sphere is made from 18K 3N yellow gold. Earth applique is made from 18K 3N yellow gold featuring a polished and sandblasted rhodium-finish.
Back
“Grey-tinted sapphire crystal with celestial vault made by metallisation.” The chronograph and split-seconds chronograph hands are made from lacquered aluminium alloy.
Case
Made from 18K white gold. Diameter: 45 mm. Thickness: 14.99 mm. Solaria comes with a black technical calfskin leather strap featuring a textured effect and a calfskin leather inner shell. It is hand stitched with folded edges. The strap is fitted with a folding buckle made from 18K white gold.
Engravings
Front: 270th anniversary emblem on the dial.
Back: ‘Pièce unique,’ ‘Les Cabinotiers’ and ‘AC’ hallmark on the bezel.
Our Thoughts
I was fortunate to see the Solaria during Watches and Wonders Geneva. I met Jean-Marie Bouquin, the young and humble watchmaker, who devoted the past 8 years or so developing, crafting, and putting the Solaria together.
Image: The 2005 Tour de l’Ile. With its 16 complications, it was the most complicated wristwatch at the time.
Let us take a step back. In 2005, VC debuted the Tour de l’Ile to celebrate its 250th anniversary. With its 16 complications, it was the most complicated wristwatch in the world at the time. Along with the other 250th anniversary models – Saint-Gervais, Jubilé 1755, Métiers d’Art models, and L’Esprit des Cabinotiers clock – it was one of the most (if not the most) impressive single year watch collection launched by any brand in history. It was VC’s way of saying that after 250 years, this is a bit of what we have learnt along the way. The collection was a bridge that connected an older and dare I say it, a struggling VC, with a bright and prosperous future. One where VC has regained its place as a horological powerhouse.
The period between 2005 and 2025 has been a golden age of grand and ultra grand complications for VC. The 57260 pocket watch (2015, the most complicated watch in the world at the time, 56 complications), Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication (2017, also by Jean-Marie Bouquin, 23 complications), Les Cabinotiers Astronomical Striking Grand Complication “Ode to Music” (2020, a chiming version of the Celestia), and the Berkley Grand Complication pocket watch (2024, currently the most complicated watch in the world, 63 complications) have been crafted by them. There have been other Les Cabinotiers pieces, no less impressive, during this period. VC’s ability to craft these epic masterpieces reaffirms why they are one of the most amazing watchmakers in the world.
20 years later, the 2025 Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication is VC’s way of saying that after 270 years, this is a bit more of what we have learnt along the way. The Solaria leaves me speechless. Incorporating 41 complication in a 45 mm * 14.99 mm case is no small feat and represents the highest expression of a horologer’s craft. It is VC’s equivalent of a supercar manufacturer’s magnum-opus that comes along once every 10 years or so (for example, from Ferrari and Porsche).
The Solaria does more that celebrate a milestone 270th birthday. It joins an elite club of timepieces (wristwatches and pocket watches) that will define horology for decades to come. It might even give nightmares to few other brands. The Solaria is as much an event as it is a watch, and we should celebrate its existence.
Additional Details
Name: Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication
Reference: 9600C/000G-231C
Watch is hallmarked with the Poinçon de Genève or Geneva Seal.
Single-piece edition.
Price: Upon request. Possibly a few million dollars.
Please visit the VC website for more information.
Our Vacheron Constantin Watches and Wonders Geneva coverage. Please click here, here, and here.
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