Vacheron Constantin at the watchmaking Olympus. This is his titanium man
Vacheron Constantin, alongside Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, is the so-called "Holy Trinity of Swiss watchmaking." However, the popular "Patek" and "AP" don't have to fight for this nickname. Meanwhile, Vacheron Constantin , somewhat overshadowed by these two, has done much in recent years to belong to the podium and excite thousands of collectors worldwide.
Now - on the occasion of its 270th birthday , Vacheron Constantin has decided to remind the world of its watchmaking craftsmanship.
Szwajcarski zegarmistrz przygotował dwie skrajnie różne premiery, choć łączy je wspólny motyw – metaforyczne poszukiwanie (utraconego?) czasu.
Vacheron Constantin presents La Quête du Temps at the Louvre / press materials The first new addition is La Quête du Temps ("The Search for Time") – a mechanical work of art, not just watchmaking, as evidenced by its premiere exhibition at the Louvre (during the recently opened "Mecaniques d'Art" exhibition). This massive and complex table clock, over 50 cm in diameter, combines 25 complications, including a perpetual calendar, astronomical readings, and the playback of specially composed music.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Tribute to the Quest of Time / press materials However, it is only the second proposition from the Swiss manufacturer that allows collectors to ignite the imagination of having a true work of haute horlogerie on their own wrist.
The Métiers d'Art Tribute to the Quest of Time model was created as a tribute to the monumental timepiece exhibited in Paris. The 18-karat white gold case is quite compact considering the sophistication of the movement – 43 mm wide and 13.58 mm thick.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Tribute to the Quest of Time / press materialsThe watch dial focuses on a three-dimensional figure, made of titanium with a 3N gold coating that has been hand-sandblasted to achieve a patina effect.
The figure functions as a dual retrograde display, showing hours on the left and minutes on the right. This means the hands move in an arc, showing hours and minutes, and upon reaching the end of the scale, they quickly return to their starting point instead of the traditional full circle. The inspiration for the human figure came from the 1930s "Bras en l'Air" pocket watch, which displayed the time only on demand.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Tribute to the Quest of Time / press materials The watch's dial, crafted from two layers of sapphire crystal , holds a secret. On the underside of the upper crystal, a blue gradient effect provides a backdrop for star constellations. It's worth emphasizing that this isn't just a symbolic astronomical motif, like the one featured on Omega's Constellation cases, but an actual representation of the constellation visible over Geneva on the day the manufacturer was founded in 1755. The watch's style can be described as a reinterpretation of Art Deco motifs, reminiscent of the aesthetics of pre-war Hollywood hotels and their metropolitan chic.
But that's not the end of the astronomical references. On the reverse of the watch, a set of sapphire dials displays a sidereal day (the time it takes the Earth to complete a full rotation on its axis relative to the stars, not the Sun; approximately 4 minutes less than a typical day) on a celestial map. This is especially important in "astronomical" watches, as a sidereal day allows for the reproduction of the actual movement of the sky and the position of the stars as we see them at night, whereas a typical day refers only to the position of the Sun. As if that weren't enough, the precision of Vacheron's latest design is truly impressive – the watch tracks the constellations with an accuracy of one day's deviation over a period of… 9,130 years!
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Tribute to the Quest of Time / press materialsThe final "astronomical" complication is the moon phase display , a rather popular solution, especially for haute horlogerie. However, here, too, the creators of the movement didn't take the easiest route. The moon phase display is handled by... a two-color 3D model of the Silver Globe placed just above the central figure, indicating the time on the dial.
The three-dimensional titanium moon is hand-engraved and finished with a two-tone PVD coating. Both elements rotate on a 29.5-day cycle. The watch also features moon phase correction, allowing you to manually adjust the moon phase at any time without damaging the movement.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Tribute to the Quest of Time / press materials All the "attractions" the watch offers are powered by an equally exceptional movement. At the heart of the anniversary model is the new, manually wound caliber 3670, a technical and miniature masterpiece with 512 components and four patents.
The movement offers an impressive power reserve of up to 6 days (144 hours) thanks to its three barrels. The watch operates at a frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour).
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Tribute to the Quest of Time / press materialsIf the rearview display isn't enough, you can choose between continuous or on-demand display modes. The entire system is Poinçon de Genève certified, demonstrating the highest quality of craftsmanship and finish.
The price of the item has not been made public, which only fuels the imagination, and the strict limitation (20 pieces) means that to get it second-hand, you will have to prove not only your wallet, but also your determination.
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