Prestigious Swiss replica watch manufacture Vacheron Constantin offers an exclusive preview of one of the masterpiece horology creations to be unveiled at SIHH 2016 haute horlogerie exhibition.
To be unveiled at the upcoming luxury replica watch exhibition, newest editions of the Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements collection, like its predecessors, celebrate the ornamental beauties of the world drawn from the decorative arts of several cultures. Two year after its first launch, the collection unveils four new models born of the art of open-working and a combination of artistic crafts bearing the Hallmark of Geneva.
Ten different master artisans have provided reinterpretations of Ottoman architecture, Chinese embroidery, Indian manuscripts and French lacework. These creations are equipped with an ethereal hand-engraved movement: calibre ultra-thin 1003 in 18K gold. The finesse of the front-facing décor is precise to the nearest tenth of a millimetre, while on the back Vacheron Constantin has opted for an exclusively chamfered and hand-drawn finish that preserves a restrained appearance.
Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements “Indian manuscript”
Traditional arts meet at the crossroads of different cultures. To highlight this exceptional know-how, the model “Indian manuscript” is created from the alliance of Grand Feu champlevé enameling and hand engraving.
Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements “Ottoman architecture”
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.
Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements “French lacework”
The “French lacework” model is adorned with a translucent hand-guilloché Grand Feu enamelled dial. The base of the gold dial is clad in a guilloche motif lending subtle depth to the transparent enamel and set with garnet-colored sapphires and diamonds.
Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements “Chinese embroidery”
The fourth timepiece “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.
For 260 years, the Manufacture has consistently enhanced the beauty of its creations through artistic crafts. Hand engraving is one such technique. A demanding art calling for exceptional patience and dexterity, it was used right from the start as a means of achieving ethereal lightness. The first replica watch created by Jean-Marc Vacheron in 1755 already featured an open-worked and engraved balance-cock. A master in the practice of this extremely intricate discipline, Vacheron Constantin has given free rein to its creativity, progressively open-working both simple and complicated calibres, associating them according to its inspiration with other artistic crafts.
Technical details
Collection: 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, open-worked 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, open-worked 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 open-worked 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
Rarity
Limited edition of 20 pieces for each model
“N° X/20” engraved on case backs