Vacheron Constantin

Métiers d’Art - Tribute to traditional symbols - Moonlight Slivers: Grand Feu enameling, engraving and gemsetting    For this "Seawater Cliff" motif, the aim was to achieve a depth effect on a monochrome base. Crafted in 18K white or pink gold depending on the model, the all-in-one-piece dial features hollowed waves, blue enamelled parts and raised diamond-set sections for the mountain area. The gold dial is divided into three parts: (1) The first part, which delineates the sea, is made of deep-blue Grand Feu enamel applied in successive kiln-fired layers, followed by patient engraving.  (2) Devoted to the sea tides running along the mountain range, part two is reserved for the setting. Each sea tide is delicately hand-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, evoking the moon slivers that inspired the name of this piece. (3) Meanwhile, the third part of the dial serves to add relief, with a mountain range lashed by foaming waves. Meticulously engraved with tone-on-tone champlevé enamel inlays to accentuate the depth of the landscape, this portrayal of the mountains is also worked in drypoint to accentuate the perspective effect. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eaBdc8Jn #VacheronConstantin #OneOfNotMany

Métiers d’Art - Tribute to Traditional Symbols - Eternal Flow: cloisonné enamelling and engraving 🎨   With its colourful aesthetic and respect for traditional Chinese ornamentation, this depiction is a masterpiece of cloisonné enamelling, which was originated in China. The technique is also named Jingtai Blue, which pays tribute to its heyday which is in the era of Emperor Jingtai in the Ming Dynasty. Laying the 220 gold wires used to delineate the enamelling fields forming the "Seawater Cliff" motif along requires more than 50 hours of work to shape the motif. This is followed by the enamelling itself in successive layers according to colour and intensity, with a kiln firing between each operation. It takes no less than 70 hours to achieve the rich tones that are so characteristic of this piece. To highlight this enamelling work, the bezel of the model is entirely hand-engraved with a bat motif. On this timepiece, the engraver has depicted the bat in the form of a frieze composed of successive volutes representing the animal’s characteristic silhouette. Continue learning: https://lnkd.in/eaBdc8Jn #VacheronConstantin #OneOfNotMany

A fruitful cultural collaboration The Métiers d'Art - Tribute to Traditional Symbols series offers a journey into the history and culture of China's last two Imperial dynasties, from the 14th to the early 20th centuries. To immerse itself in the distinctive decor of this period, the Maison took a particular interest in the decorative arts and notably in the “Seawater Cliff” motif omnipresent on courtly architectural elements, but also on furniture and porcelain, as well as on imperial clothing and particularly the so-called ‘dragon’ robes.    For this research work, Vacheron Constantin benefited from the advice of Mr. Song, the Former Associate Research Librarian of The Palace Museum, housed in Beijing's Forbidden City. In agreement with this expert in Chinese history and symbolism, studies on the dials of the four Métiers d’Art limited editions focused on the "Seawater Cliff" motif. Extensively documented by Mr. Song, this depiction features a mountain towering above the tides with their ebb and flow lashing its cliffs. 🎬 Watch the full length discussion on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eyWT9RPp #VacheronConstantin #OneOfNotMany

An ode to craftsmanship Vacheron Constantin pays tribute to ancient Chinese culture with its new Métiers d'Art - Tribute to Traditional Symbols series, featuring two interpretations of the "Seawater Cliff", a legendary Chinese motif that first appeared in the 14th century. This depiction of wave-lashed cliffs belongs to the cultural tradition of Imperial China, a special field of study for Mr. Song, the Former Associate Research Librarian of the Palace Museum, who guided the Vacheron Constantin artisans on this project. Housed in a 38 mm-diameter case in 18K pink or white gold, these models are powered by Calibre 2460 driving central hours and minutes hands, these dials provide a forceful, beautiful expression of Chinese cultural symbolism. Discover more: https://lnkd.in/eaBdc8Jn #VacheronConstantin #OneOfNotMany

One of Not Many. Embodying the same spirit of travel as the Overseas collection, Cory Richards has searched the globe in a pursuit to passionately explore the human experience through all mediums. 🟢 Pictured here: The Overseas chronograph with its first-ever sunburst green dial. A 42.5mm timepiece featuring a column-wheel chronograph, a date aperture, and an oscillating weight engraved with the collection's emblematic compass rose. And, the 41 mm dual time iteration, keeping with the collection's sporting vocation with its open sapphire crystal case back and water-resistance up to 150 metres thanks to its screw-down crown. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eY6iA_kK #VacheronConstantin #OneOfNotMany

A cultural partnership through the lens of public education   The Educational Institute of the Palace Museum – an entity located in the heart of Beijing’s Forbidden City and charged with a cultural and educational mission on behalf of the general public – is Vacheron Constantin's new partner. This alliance marks a new milestone in the Maison’s unfailing commitment to art and culture. The two institutions are already working together on joint projects, including creative collaborations, watchmaking master classes, as well as offline exhibitions and events. Continue learning: https://lnkd.in/ey7nQfmK   #VacheronConstantin #OneOfNotMany

Singular and timeless expertise Within the Maison, a team of watchmakers is devoted to restoration and committed to perpetuating know-how that dates back as far as several decades or even two centuries. Their art consists of maintaining the functional and aesthetic aspects of the watch as close as possible to its original condition by keeping its original parts whenever they can. Whether broken, worn, or corroded, these parts are adapted or manufactured identically, under the traditions and standards of the brand. 🎬 Discover how these craftsmen restore our dials. Explore The Art of Restoration: https://lnkd.in/ekuSMM2k #VacheronConstantin #OneOfNotMany

A quest for heritage preservation ⏳ Few Manufactures can restore all the watches that have come out of their workshops over the centuries. That is why Vacheron Constantin makes it a point of honour to pass on this watchmaking know-how and to ensure that the great history of each of its timepieces continues. In no way comparable to a standard service, restoration requires rigorous know-how, a thorough knowledge of the history of the Maison, and sometimes even specific tools. Given the age of the timepiece, it is not uncommon for a craftsman or master watchmaker to handcraft some of the components that need to be replaced. 🎬 Discover how these craftsmen restore our calibers. Explore The Art of Restoration: https://lnkd.in/ekuSMM2k #VacheronConstantin #OneOfNotMany

The Master Enameller, The Artisan of Colour 🎨🖌️ For 4,000 years, the Art of enamelling has continued to embellish a wide variety of decorative objects. This technique requires consummate manual mastery as well as great experience of the basic materials – enamels and their composition – as well as the art of fire. Enamel is in fact a composite melting material, made from different minerals to which metallic oxides are added to obtain colour. It is generally used in the form of a powder which, in Haute Horlogerie, is applied to a metal base (copper, silver or gold) in thin layers successively fired in a kiln. Learn more: http://ms.spr.ly/6049l1Xef #VacheronConstantin #OneOfNotMany

Raising an aesthetic signature to an art form. Excellence endures at the Manufacture where, by crafting every piece into an original work of art, human hands bring together tradition and innovation. There are no compromises nor room for error, yet much humility. The mastery and precision of technique keep alive the time-honored skill that is handed down the generations at the Manufacture, from Master Watchmakers to apprentices. Day after day, the expertise of these craftsmen is passed on like an heirloom. They each rely upon the quality of one another’s work to shape every piece of high watchmaking into a vision of rare beauty and passion. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dDXtAThF #VacheronConstantin #OneOfNotMany