A quick recap on chiming watches: there are all sorts of variations, but generally they fall into just two categories: the sonnerie, which chimes the time en passant, or “in passing” (that is, it will automatically chime the hour, and the hour and quarter hours) and the repeater, which chimes the time on demand (whenever you press a slide or button set into the case band). Grande Sonnerie wristwatches are extremely rare thanks to their considerable complexity, and relatively few watchmakers and brands even attempt them; the list of those who have made, or currently produce, a grande sonnerie includes Gerald Genta, F.P. Journe, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Bulgari, Philippe Dufour, and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Introducing The Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Symphonia Grande Sonnerie 1860
