In the world of haute horlogerie, the most captivating timepieces aren’t always the ones with the longest list of complications or the most exotic materials. Sometimes, it’s about a deeper connection—something that speaks not just to the eye, but to the soul. Vacheron Constantin’s latest release, the Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface from its Les Cabinotiers collection, is exactly that kind of watch.
This isn’t just another follow-up to the Solaria Ultra Grand Complication—Vacheron’s show-stopping debut at Watches and Wonders earlier this year. On the contrary, Temporis Duo arrives like a quiet storm, revealing a different kind of complexity: one that invites, rather than overwhelms.
To understand the significance of this piece, you have to understand Les Cabinotiers. Named after the 18th-century Geneva craftsmen who worked in attic workshops (or “cabinets”), this special department within Vacheron Constantin is where one-of-a-kind timepieces are born. Every watch here is bespoke, hand-finished, and often layered with complications, intricate engraving, or miniature enamel painting. These aren't mere timekeepers—they're wearable art objects.
The Openface design of the Temporis Duo offers an intimate view into the movement, with a sapphire crystal dial measuring just 0.5 mm thick. It’s like being invited to peek behind the curtain at time itself. The 6 o’clock tourbillon, housed within Vacheron’s signature Maltese cross-shaped frame, gently rotates as it ticks off the seconds. At 9 o’clock, a small subdial with an 18K rose gold hand rests inside a sandblasted ring with gray NAC-coated numerals—delicate and deliberate.
I once met a curator named Joseph in Paris, an avid collector of high complications. He told me the best watches “make you forget about function and start thinking about philosophy.” That’s exactly the kind of presence the Temporis Duo has. Yes, it’s incredibly complex—it houses a minute repeater, a split-seconds chronograph, and more—but none of it feels like a gimmick. The functions live in harmony, quietly humming in service of a deeper story.
What catches the eye first, however, is the vibrant green central chronograph hand—a pop of modernity on an otherwise classical canvas. It’s complemented by a green minute counter at 1:30, and matching green markers on the outer seconds track. Interestingly, the chronograph hand is actually made of two stacked hands, allowing for a rattrapante (split-seconds) function—one hand pauses to time an interval while the other continues moving. It’s a rare feature in any watch, but especially so in one packed with other complications.
“Combining this level of functionality is exceptionally rare,” explains Christian Selmoni, Vacheron Constantin’s Style and Heritage Director. “It requires not only extreme miniaturization, but also an uncompromising commitment to traditional horological codes.” Selmoni should know—he’s been shaping the brand for over two decades, playing a key role in the renaissance of models like the Overseas and Historiques collections.
Crafted in 18K rose gold, the case pairs beautifully with the forest green alligator strap—visually striking, but also functional. Rose gold is ideal for minute repeaters due to its warm, resonant tonal quality. And yes, the case is a full 45 mm, which might seem oversized in an era of downsized wristwear. But with a movement like this, it’s a necessity, not an indulgence.
That movement, the Caliber 2757 S, is a true mechanical marvel. Composed of 696 parts and measuring 33.3 mm across and 10.4 mm thick, it uses cutting-edge materials like titanium and electroformed nickel-phosphorus gears to manage the split-seconds function, minute repeater, and a 50-hour power reserve—all within a manually wound format. It’s the kind of thing you could study under a loupe for hours and still discover something new.
In many ways, this watch is a statement—not just of technical skill, but of Vacheron Constantin’s role as a guardian of horological tradition. As Selmoni puts it, “This movement isn’t just about engineering complexity—it’s about how we finish and decorate every single component. That’s what sets true high watchmaking apart.”
That sense of dedication reminds me of a New York collector I once interviewed, Eric Foster. He said, “Real luxury isn’t about price or materials—it’s about something you’re willing to spend your life understanding.” The Temporis Duo fits that definition perfectly. It’s not trying to be liked by everyone. You won’t see it in boutique windows or on billboards. But for those who know, it’s a quiet masterpiece that whispers rather than shouts.
In a world that often values speed over substance, noise over nuance, watches like the Temporis Duo remind us why time is worth savoring. And perhaps, that’s the true complication we all need.