Video: The Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication – La Première

Many things in the world are unattainable for any number of reasons. For example, no regulatory body in their right mind would ever allow me a driver’s license. And even if they would, I could not afford to drive a Mercedes-Benz (although it was when my friends Martin and Tiffany drove us around town in their Mercedes-Benz W116 this weekend).

Likewise, the Solaria is a unique piece with an undisclosed price and is even more out of my league. I know, never say never, but I feel pretty confident saying that no one reading this story will ever own this watch. Still, we are glad the Solaria exists because it’s proof that curiosity and exploration in the horological space are being encouraged.
 

The Solaria is the brainchild of Vacheron Constantin watchmaker Jean-Marie Bouquin (the Celestia from 2017, which has 23 complications, was also Bouquin’s baby). Amazingly, except for the finishing on the movement, Bouquin was also the only watchmaker to work on the piece during the Solaria’s eight-year gestation period. Moreover, a whole trip around the sun was dedicated to just the assembly of the movement.

The fact that this creation is the work of one man is even more remarkable considering the diversity of complications that compose this watch.
 

This timepiece not only has a Westminster carillon minute repeater that required seven patents to perfect, a chronograph, and a tourbillon, but it also comes packed with a Gregorian perpetual calendar, a split-second chronograph, a sidereal time indicator, four astronomical complications tracking different aspects of the Sun, and so much more.

What I’m trying to say is that the Solaria is a masterpiece, plain and simple.

Since it feels like we’re in The Gilded Age 2.0, enthusiasts are probably reminded of industrialists James Ward Packard and Henry Graves Jr.’s friendly competition to produce the most complicated pocket watch. (If you are unfamiliar with the story, both millionaires commissioned Patek Philippe to create singular Grand Complication watches.)
 

At a 2014 Sotheby’s auction, the Henry Graves Supercomplication Patek Philippe pocket watch sold for CHF 23,237,000 (the equivalent of $24 million, at the time). That sum established a new record price for pocket and wristwatches.

Evolving from timepieces like the Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600 and the world’s most complicated watch ever produced, the 2024 Les Cabinotiers – The Berkley Grand Complication pocket watch, sporting 63 horological complications, the Solaria was born not out of competition but rather Vacheron’s desire to challenge itself. It is a healthy sign that watchmaking can move forward without being disruptive.
 

However, what makes this new timepiece even more impressive is that, while the Solaria Ultra Grand Complication – La Première is the most complicated wristwatch ever made, it is eminently wearable. Thanks to innovations in miniaturization, Vacheron Constantin was able to pack the Solaria’s multitudes into a calibre that measures 36mm by 10.96mm and a case of 45mm by 14.99mm.

The Solaria also manages to display all these features rationally by making it double-sided, thus breaking new ground, not only in mechanical complexity and innovation but also in design. And for all its functions, the Solaria’s many functions never feel like a gimmick because every design element serves its otherworldly theme.
 

One of the nicest touches is the Temporal Tracking of Celestial Objects. This first-ever astronomical complication combines a split-second chronograph with a representation of the celestial vault (the heavens above us), which makes it possible to calculate the time it takes for a constellation or a given star to appear centered in the observer’s field of vision.

All of these things come together to make us starry-eyed.
 

For more information about the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication – La Première, visit the Vacheron Constantin website.