Look Back

While attractive dials are ubiquitous in the watch world, there are timepieces with extraordinarily beautiful casebacks that showcase artistry at a micro level

- by Somya Rauthan

VACHERON CONSTANTIN

Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication

Being the most complicated wristwatch in the world, featuring 41 complications, the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication naturally has a spectacular caseback. What makes it different from others is that it also acts as a second dial displaying the sidereal hours and minutes, a celestial chart indicating the ecliptic and celestial equator, and temporal tracking of astronomical objects. Driving these complications is an architectural marvel, the miniaturised Calibre 3655, decorated with nine types of finishes, including circling, a type of brushed finish done on the metal surface, in a circular motion; straight brushing; bevelling, where the case is polished at 45° angle to give its edges a sloped effect; and brouillage, a light brushing done on the non-visible parts of the calibre. One can also see graining, which adds a texture and creates a matte surface, as well as mirror polishing, matte polishing, sandblasting, and sunray brushing. All these combine to make the caseback mesmerising.

PATEK PHILIPPE

Grand Complications Ref. 5370R-001