We are avid admirers of the Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art. It is a special collection from the grande house, that focus on beautiful artistic embellishments on the watches. This new series the Fabuleux Ornements (fabulous decorations), just announced for SIHH 2016 (yes, in November 2015!!)
In French, the word métiers d’art can perhaps be loosely translated as “craftsmanship” in English or “handswerkskundst” in German, but this is a special class of jobs in which there is an official and special classification. We are not aware of anything similar in English or even German. Perhaps the English Guilds are similar, but they are much narrower, governing more specialist work. The French métiers d’art is listed ordre ministériel (ministerial decree), and encompass what would be studio arts, and artisanal or traditional crafts and occupations.
A series of four watches are announced, viz decorations from France, China, India and the Ottoman. And showcases the French lacework, Chinese embroidery, Indian manuscript and Ottoman architecture, four of the arts which are desgnated as métiers d’art.
The four watches which comprise the VC Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements
The series is created to highlight the crossroads of different cultures.
The “French lacework” model is adorned with a translucent hand-guilloché grand feu enamelled dial. The enamel work is done over a gold dial with a guilloché motif. This transparent enamel is further set with garnet-colored sapphires and diamonds.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements French Lacework.
The “Chinese embroidery” is crafted in pink gold according to the stone- cloisonné technique with jade. The dial is sculpted from mother-of-pearl and features a pink opal shaped according to the glyptic art and complimented by finely hand engraved gold leaves and pistils.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Chinese Embroidery
The “Indian manuscript” is a piece with the alliance of grand feu champlevé enameling and hand engraving.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Indian Manuscript
The “Ottoman architecture” timepiece is defined by hand chamfering, natural white mother-of-pearl base and a gold grid work studded with half-pearl beads.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Ottoman Architecture
These are offered with on a hand engraved with the ultra thin caliber 1003, and in 18 k gold. The hand engraving is yet another speciality in VC’s portfolio which they have showcased before.
TECHNICAL DATA
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements
References 33580/000R-B009 – French lace
33580/000G-B011 – Chinese embroidery
33580/000G-B010 – Ottoman architecture
33580/000G-B008 – Indian manuscript
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepieces
Only available in Vacheron Constantin Boutiques
Movement
Calibre 1003 SQRH2
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, manual-winding
18K gold, ultra-thin, openworked and hand-engraved
21.1 mm (9’’’¼) diameter, 1.64 mm thick
Approximately 31 hours power reserve
2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations/hour)
117 components
18 jewels
Indications Hours, minutes
Case 18K white/18K 5N pink gold
Diamond-set bezel (64 round-cut diamonds)
French lace and Chinese embroidery: diamond-set ring (60 round-cut diamonds)
Ottoman architecture: millegrain ring
Indian manuscript: polished ring
37 mm diameter, 8 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial
French lace: Hand-guilloché and translucent Grand Feu enamelling, openworked 18K gold plate, setting of garnet-colored sapphires & diamonds (5 sapphires & 48 round-cut diamonds)
Chinese embroidery: Stone-cloisonné (jade), sculpted mother-of-pearl and 1 pink opal, hand-engraved gold leaves and stems
Ottoman architecture: Purple mother-of-pearl under an openworked 18K pink gold plate, hand-chamfered and adorned with applied half-pearls
Indian manuscript: Grand Feu champlevé enamelling and hand-engraving
Strap Purple/burgundy/pink/red Mississippiensis alligator leather, stitched-tip, square scales
Clasp 18K white gold/18K 5N pink gold buckle
Diamond-set half Maltese cross-shaped (21 round-cut diamonds)
Total Gem Setting
French lace: 193 round-cut diamonds, for a total of approx. 1.4 carats & 5 garnet-colored sapphires for a total of approx. 0.04 carat
Chinese embroidery: 145 round-cut diamonds, for a total of approx. 1.2 carats & approx. 2.4 carats for the jade and the pink opal
Ottoman architecture and Indian manuscript: 85 round-cut diamonds, for a total of approx. 1.1 carats
Limited edition of 20 pieces for each
