Introducing the Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar 270th Anniversary
If you’ve been following Vacheron Constantin’s 270th anniversary releases, you know the Maison has been flexing—quietly, of course. And now we get what might be the most traditionally high-horology drop of them all: the Traditionnelle Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar.
Limited to just 127 pieces and crafted entirely in platinum, this is a watch that doesn't just nod to Vacheron's history. It carries it, meticulously. It’s restrained but rich, complicated but balanced. It’s a full-dress heavyweight that still floats on the wrist. And with a brand-new movement at its core, it’s also proof that Vacheron isn’t just rehashing its past: it’s writing the next chapter.
The Basics
Case: 42mm x 11.1mm, 950 platinum
Crystal: Sapphire
Movement: Vacheron Constantin Calibre 2162 QP/270, self-winding, 72-hour power reserve
Water Resistance: 30 meters (3 bar)
Strap Options: Dark blue Mississippiensis alligator leather, hand-stitched, platinum Maltese cross folding clasp
Price: Upon Request
Availability: Limited to 127 pieces, individually numbered
The Juice
On paper, this watch checks every high-complication box: tourbillon, perpetual calendar, platinum case, new in-house calibre. But in practice, it’s not the specs that hit you: it’s the execution.
Let’s start with the dial. Made of 18K gold and finished with a hand-guilloché Maltese cross pattern developed specifically for the 270th anniversary, it’s both intricate and incredibly subtle. The motif catches light in the way only true guilloché can, shifting from textured shadow to shimmering detail as you move your wrist. The layout is classic perpetual: day, date, month, and leap year. Clean, symmetrical, and crisply legible. Immaculate. Just as we expect from Vacheron.
At 6 o’clock, you get the pièce de résistance—a full tourbillon with a beautifully finished cage and small seconds display. It’s framed but never fenced in, floating in that precious bit of dial real estate like it was always meant to be there. And thanks to the movement’s slower 2.5 Hz beat rate, the tourbillon moves with a hypnotic elegance that invites extended stares. It’s not all for show, though, as it doubles up as the seconds display.
The 42mm platinum case brings some presence, but the proportions are tight. A big reason why? The movement. Vacheron’s new Calibre 2162 QP/270 is just 6.55mm thick, which is impressive for any automatic perpetual calendar with a tourbillon. The peripheral rotor is the unsung hero here. It keeps the watch slim while allowing you to admire the full movement through the caseback, which also reveals the signature “côte unique” finishing created just for these anniversary pieces. It looks minimalist at first, but study it closely and you’ll see the subtle complexity: perfectly aligned striping that seems to ripple across the bridges. It’s more whisper than roar, which is exactly the point.
It is also worth noting that the perpetual calendar uses a patented secure drive system, which allows you to set it forward or backward without fear of damaging the movement. That’s not just thoughtful: it’s rare.
Final Thoughts
There’s something beautifully deliberate about this watch. It doesn’t chase trends. It doesn’t need to prove anything. Instead, it delivers two of horology’s most revered complications with the kind of restraint and elegance that only a handful of brands still attempt, let alone get right.
This is Vacheron at full maturity. There’s no gimmick here. If you’re looking for bold, openworked, experimental Vacheron? Go for the Openface Tourbillon. But if you want something that feels like a love letter to classical watchmaking—with just enough modern attitude to stay relevant, this is the one.
Find out more about this watch here.
