Swiss Maker Unveils "Most Complicated Watch Ever Made"

• Updated On Mar 24, 2020

To celebrate its 260^th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin, a Swiss watch manufacturer, recently released one of the most complicated timepieces ever made. The claim, which is made by the watchmaker, is for a 57260 pocketwatch. The company said that the pocketwatch was commissioned by an unnamed watch collection.

According to company sources, it took eight years and three watchmakers to get the timepiece ready. Cast in white gold, it comprises of 2800 components – the highest number of components ever used on any watch. Each component has been hand-decorated and made by the master watchmakers who relied on traditional watchmaking techniques of circular graining, beveling, and the ‘Côtes de Genève’ decoration.   

 However the makers said, while releasing the pocketwatch, that it has 57 “complications” which were particularly impressive as these are features which tell more than the hours and minutes. One of the complications is the six different time measurement function. The other complications include multiple calendar functions with perpetual, Hebrew, astronomical and lunar calendars. There is also a carillon chiming function and a double retrograde split-seconds chronograph.      

Apart from Vacheron Constantin now claiming to make the most complicated watch, previously, Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe had in 1989 released the Calibre 89 which featured 33 complications. The same watchmaker has also released in 1933 the Henry Graves Supercomplication which has 24 complications. 

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• "Most Complicated Watch Ever Made"