The Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Mécaniques Gravées collection
At the occasion of its 260th anniversary celebrations, the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin is making a remarkable return to its roots by enriching its Métiers d’Art collection with two timepieces distinguished by movements that are entirely hand-engraved in keeping with classic ornamental watchmaking traditions. The plates and bridges of the hand-wound 2260 and 4400 calibers are adorned with delicate floral motifs, reminiscent of the engravings gracing the first pocket watches created by Vacheron Constantin from 1755 onwards. Housed in a precious platinum case, these two iconic movements from the Manufacture feature traditional tone-on-tone decors expressing a desire to achieve a pure, understated design. The scrolling motifs and arabesques pay tribute to the acanthus leaf, an exceptional source of inspiration consistently celebrated since Antiquity across all forms of artistic expression. Engraving, which has been used in watchmaking right from its very origins, is a demanding art requiring extreme expertise and dexterity on the part of the master artisan who sculpts tiny parts without ever compromising their perfect aesthetic and functionality. The skilfully engraved parts endow these timepieces with a distinctive stature, confirmed by the Hallmark of Geneva.
Métiers d’Art Mécaniques Gravées – 14-day tourbillon Caliber 2260/1
Set off to perfection within a 41 mm-diameter round case in 950 platinum featuring a concave bezel that intensifies its finesse, the engraved 2660/1 caliber is a mechanical hand-wound tourbillon movement with an exceptional 14-day power reserve. Its slightly off-centred hour and minute functions highlight the tourbillon carriage, coupled with a small seconds display. The power reserve is read off with a “dragging” or “trailing” hand that displays the remaining energy on a 280° sector.
Métiers d’Art Mécaniques Gravées Caliber 4400/1
One of the most iconic base movements from the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin, hand-wound Caliber 4400 finds supremely delicate expression in the Métiers d’Art collection. Hosted in a precious 950 platinum, 39 mm-diameter round case with a concave bezel accentuating its elegance and slenderness, this entirely hand-engraved caliber drives hour and minute functions. Comprising 127 parts whose carefully preserved original thinness entails impressive feats of precision on the part of the master-engraver who decorates them, this movement has a generous almost 3-day power reserve. Free of any dial so as to enable an unobstructed view of the remarkable engravings adorning its mainplate and bridges, the Métiers d’Art Mécaniques Gravées model features graceful white gold hands whose deep grey shade makes a perfect match with the slate grey tone of the minute circle enhanced by a white gold Maltese cross.
Via : Luxurious Magazine
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