If you are not a fan of ultra-complicated pieces like minute repeaters and prefer a complex watch with an extended power reserve, then Vacheron Constantin’s L’empreinte du dragon is undoubtedly the best choice this year. With a 14-day power reserve, perpetual calendar, sunrise-sunset indicator, and equation of time, this watch offers some of the most practical high-end complications.
The rose gold case is adorned with a hand-engraved dragon scale pattern, a process that took over 70 hours. The dragon, an emblem of Chinese culture, is cleverly represented through the “dragon scale” motif, evoking deep oriental symbolism while maintaining an understated elegance.
The dial features the standard tourbillon perpetual calendar layout: month and leap year at 12 o’clock, date at 3 o’clock, the iconic Maltese cross tourbillon at 6 o’clock, day of the week at 9 o’clock, sunrise and sunset times flanking the tourbillon, and the equation of time indicator at 10 o’clock.
It houses the Vacheron Constantin Caliber 2253 manual-winding movement, consisting of 457 parts with a 18,000 vph frequency and a remarkable 336-hour (14-day) power reserve.
The back of the case is engraved with “Pièce unique”, confirming its uniqueness.
Vacheron Constantin L’empreinte du dragon Watch
18K rose gold case, 44mm diameter, 15.6mm thickness, sapphire crystal front and back, silver-white dial, Caliber 2253 movement, 30 jewels, 18,000 vph, 336-hour power reserve, crocodile leather strap, 18K rose gold folding clasp, 30m water resistance.
Complications: Perpetual Calendar, Tourbillon
