The story of one the most complicated watches ever made

"Vacheron Constantin - Reference 57260," a new book for watch connoisseurs, is set be released. It showcases the complex features known as grand complications created by the oldest watch manufacturer in the world.

The book gives special attention to the Reference 57260, one of the most complicated watches in the world consisting of no less than 57 complications. This extremely complicated mechanical timepiece is an excellent example of watchmaking craftsmanship.

While a large number of complications are showcased in this beautiful book, starting from the very first chapter entitled "The Tradition of Grand Complications," the Reference 57260 is undoubtedly its star. Around 60 pages of description, diagrams and beautiful photographs are devoted to this luxury timepiece, with the emphasis on its 57 complications.

Vacheron Constantin is the oldest watch manufacturer in the world, having created its first watch in 1755. This history has resulted in a stunning number of complications combining technical achievement, know-how and creativity.

The first chapter in the book focuses on these complications, including a pocket watch with sound complications (1827), a double-sided wristwatch with 15 complications (2014) and a world time pocket watch (1932).

The second chapter of the book takes readers on a trip through the ages and across continents to discover Chinese, Islamic, Hebrew, and Gregorian calendars. The book explains that the history of calendars is intertwined with that of the watchmaking industry.

The Reference 57260 is not a random name chosen for Vacheron Constantin's extraordinary timepiece: "57" is for the number of complications, and "260" is a reminder of the firm's 260th anniversary in 2015, which is when the watch was launched.

The many features of this masterpiece of a pocket watch include a Gregorian perpetual calendar, a retrograde split-seconds chronograph, sunset times, and a 7-function alarm. And all of it is explained with accompanying diagrams.

For the uninitiated, the book contains a watchmaking glossary, a bibliography and an index.

"Vacheron Constantin - Reference 57260" is published by Flammarion and releases on April 18, 2017.