Adding to their constantly-expanding artistic repertoire, the Richemont brand has dropped four new limited editions in an homage to one of Imperial China’s most legendary motifs.
Though it’s been said ad nauseam, watches are an anachronistic accessory. Their timelessness offers an opportunity for the finest artistic, scientific and engineering minds to collaborate and demonstrate their mastery over time – one of life’s great intangibles.
Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin has over two centuries’ worth of experience that can testify to that claim. Ever the masters of technological finesse and understated elegance, their Métiers D’Art (French for ‘art profession’) series has paid tribute to the highest forms of artistry, transformed into horology. One of their recent releases, Tribute to Great Civilisations, was a limited edition run dedicated to four of the most significant ancient communities in history, expressed using both innovative technology and all the design chops available from their master craftsmen.
Vacheron Constantin’s eyes now turn toward China, a place rife with historical significance – from the Terracotta Warriors to the Silk Road. For their latest release, they worked alongside Mr. Song, the former associate research librarian of Palace Museum in Beijing’s Forbidden City with particular interest in the last two Imperial Dynasties: Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911). Vacheron Constantin found inspiration in the architecture of said dynasties. Prevalent in their architecture was the decorative ‘Seawater Cliff’ motif, officially named as such by Emperor Wanli (1573-1620) of the Ming Dynasty. Depicting waves clashing against a set of resolute cliff faces, they symbolised peace and longevity – symbols befitting the Emperor and his royal subjects, with all social classes eventually following suit.
This year, Vacheron Constantin’s newest Métiers D’Art series, Tribute to Traditional Symbols, is dedicated to the significance of both this motif and ancient Chinese culture. Four limited editions of 15 have been dropped, separated into two pairs.
The first pair, named Eternal Flow, features a custom hand-engraved bezel and a dial of brightly coloured Cloisonné enamel depicting the Seawater Cliff motif. This complex method of dial decoration is executed to perfection by the craftsmen at Vacheron Constantin, who work tirelessly to achieve the effect of separating dozens of meticulously coloured enamel pieces with thin soldered strips of gold.
The second pair, named Moonlight Slivers, feature a different take on the ancient Chinese motif. Accompanied by a diamond-set bezel, the dial of the Moonlight Slivers duo has been crafted with Grand Feu enamel, an equally complex enamelling process that requires several layers of enamel firing to achieve a glassy surface. In this instance, the motif has been hand-engraved out of gold, with a further 239 diamonds decorating and sprouting off the tops of the cliff faces.
Of course, being one of the oldest watchmaking companies in history means that the technological side of the timepieces are nothing to worry about. Vacheron Constantin’s automatic Calibre 2460, with an elegantly decorated 22k gold rotor, provides the beating heart of this new Métiers D’Art series, backed by a 40h power reserve. Surprisingly practical, for instruments of artistic excellence. Speaking of gold, both duos come in either a 18k pink or white gold case – a natural selection, for the material’s lustre and presence, and one that suits the decadent Imperial heritage surrounding the legendary Chinese motif.
Final Thoughts
As a kid, I’ve always been a sucker for history. When Vacheron Constantin first released their Tribute to Great Civilisations timepieces, I was immediately enamoured. My childhood interest, clashing with my adulthood interest – it’s not very common and always special for a match to be made like that.
Once again, Vacheron Constantin have outdone themselves. Not only have they effectively paid tribute to yet another great civilisation, they’ve taken a somewhat obscure motif (at least, to the Western world) and promoted the excellence of Imperial Chinese design worldwide. Though not all of us will be able to get our hands on something as amazing as this, it’s always nice to know that Vacheron Constantin has a knack for revitalising iconic historical architecture and artistry, giving it the modern limelight it so very much deserves.
References (Eternal Flow):
- 2400A/000R-H024
- 2400A/000G-H023
References (Moonlight Slivers):
- 2405A/000R-H022
- 2405A/000G-H021
- Dimensions: 38mm case diameter, 9.88mm thickness
- Case Material (Eternal Flow): 18k pink (2400A/000R-H024) or white (2400A/000G-H023) gold with custom hand-engraved bezel
- Case Material (Moonlight Slivers): 18k pink (2405A/000R-H022) or white (2405A/000G-H021) gold with 74 brilliant-cut diamond-set bezel
- Dial (Eternal Flow): 18k pink (2400A/000R-H024) or white (2400A/000G-H023) gold with Cloisonné enamel
- Dial (Moonlight Slivers): 18k pink (2405A/000R-H022) or white (2405A/000G-H021) gold with Grand Feu enamel, 18k gold hand-engraved motif, & 239 brilliant-cut diamonds
- Movement: In-House automatic Cal. 2460
- Beat Rate: 4Hz (28,800VpH)
- Power Reserve: 40h
- Water Resistance: 30m (3bar)
- Strap: Burgundy or navy blue alligator leather strap with 18k pink or white gold folding clasp
