Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Openworked: Review With Singapore And Malaysia Prices

Got a naked ambition? This watch will call out to the exhibitionist in all of us. 

 


Skeleton watches are perhaps the watchmaking world’s version of peacocking—both a demonstration and declaration of the marque’s attention to detail and sheer horological muscle. Doesn’t matter that most skeleton watches make time-telling slightly difficult because really, who needs the time when you’re in awe of the beautiful movement beneath? 

In a stunning display of technical prowess, Vacheron Constantin’s new Malte Tourbillon Openworked Reference 30135/000R-8973 reveals the Calibre 2780 SQ within—a barrel-shaped movement first introduced in 2014 that fits perfectly in the Malte’s tonneau-shaped case. This year, the model comes in a gorgeous 18K pink gold case with a stunning hand-engraved tourbillon movement, courtesy of virtuoso watchmakers and artisans.   

Unlike more contemporary skeleton watches where the bridges are simply buffed and polished, the Malte Tourbillon Openworked takes a more traditional approach, embellishing the movement with hand-engraved geometric patterns. The lines are etched with microscopic precision while alternating light and shadow effects result in a play on geometrical shapes within the architecture of the movement, in full view through the sapphire crystal caseback as well.

If you, like us, were looking at a picture of this watch, you’d probably zoom in a couple of times to fully appreciate the intricacies of the craftsmanship. There’s no such luxury with the actual timepiece though. Fortunately, the watch comes with a magnifying glass so you can admire the movement in its full glory, with or without perfect eyesight.

Bearing the distinguished and coveted Hallmark of Geneva, the Malte Tourbillon Openworked features a date sub-dial at two o’clock, power reserve indicator at 10 o’clock and an imposing Maltese-cross tourbillon at six o’clock. Taking approximately 540 hours of patient and meticulous workmanship from the development of the calibre to the manual finishing of the 246 individual components, this timepiece is undoubtedly a work of art on many levels.

Case	38 x 48.24mm, 18K 5N pink gold
Dial	Internal zone: sapphire glass, inked indications External zone: opaline silvered color metal external ring, painted minute-track, baton-shaped & 18K 5N pink gold applied Roman numeral hour-makers
Movement	Mechanical manual-winding 2790 SQ
Strap	Brown Mississippiensis alligator leather
Functions	Hours, minutes, small seconds at six o’clock on tourbillon carriage, power reserve, date, tourbillon
Power reserve	45 hours
Price	S$302,500, RM849,000