One of the standout pieces for Vacheron Constantin at this year’s Watches & Wonders is the Patrimony Contemporaine 1731 minute repeater, featuring the 1731 minute repeater movement that took 4 years to design. This watch sets two records: it houses the thinnest minute repeater movement at just 3.90mm, and the entire watch is the thinnest minute repeater at 8.09mm.
The case is crafted from 18K rose gold, with a pearl-white dial that complements the golden case, offering a perfect balance of elegance. The seconds subdial is placed at the 8 o’clock position, forming a unique fan shape with the hour markers from 7 o’clock to 9 o’clock, adding a distinctive yet balanced design.
The 1731 movement was designed to create a minute repeater that is not only slim and beautiful but also delivers clear, crisp sound and remains reliable and durable. Key enhancements include a flying strike regulator for better rhythm stability, nested gongs for sharper sound, and finishings that meet the Geneva Seal standard. What stands out most is the 65-hour power reserve, which is rare for ultra-thin timepieces.
Each minute repeater’s chime is tested precisely at 4:49 AM, when the intervals between the hours (4 strikes), quarter (3 strikes), and minutes (4 strikes) are almost perfectly synchronized, providing the most distinct rhythm.
Before leaving the workshop, Vacheron Constantin records the unique chime of each watch, ensuring a lifetime warranty and service for every watch, whether historical or contemporary, so that the signature sound can always be restored.
Without a doubt, this is one of the most captivating minute repeaters of the year—now we just have to wait for the official price.
