- Vacheron Constantin is celebrating the Year of the Dragon and its legend with two 25-piece limited editions, unveiled at Watches and Wonders Shanghai.
- The Maison unites two of its crafts – engraving and enamelling – within an elegant 40 mm case in 950 platinum or 18K 5N pink gold.
- In-house Calibre 2460 G4 dedicates technology to serving artistic creativity, with a disc-type display enabling craftsmanship to take centre stage.
The journey commenced with the appearance of the snake sign in 2012. As the 12-year cycle draws to a close, the Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Collection unveils two 25-piece limited editions during Watches and Wonders Shanghai. These editions, crafted in 950 platinum or 18K 5N pink gold, celebrate the dragon—a symbol of nobility, strength, good fortune, and success—capturing its mystical essence as it holds a pearl, a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, on the watch dial. This union of exquisite engraving and enameling is achieved with the technical prowess of Calibre 2460 G4.
In Chinese culture, the dragon is revered for its exceptional virtues. As the Year of the Rabbit nears its end, the magnificent dragon takes center stage on the dials of the two new Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Dragon limited editions, unveiled at Watches and Wonders Shanghai.
This supernatural creature embodies honor, nobility, success, and good fortune. It was also a potent symbol of imperial power in Chinese history and remains the most cherished zodiac sign in this ancient culture. The sculpted, snake-like silhouette of the dragon now graces the watch, showcasing intricate details that contrast vividly against delicately engraved and enameled decorations. This result is a fantastical masterpiece that harmoniously combines strength and delicacy, a testament to the expertise of Vacheron Constantin in engraving and enameling.
Engraving meets enamelling
The harmonious fusion of engraving and enameling defines the two new Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Dragon limited editions. These timepieces blend the finesse of master enameling with the precision of master engraving. The artisan begins by sculpting the gold dial to create a dreamlike landscape of air currents and clouds, inspired by traditional Chinese art motifs. The dragon emerges from this elegant background, also meticulously hand-engraved with unmatched attention to detail. Crafting this mystical figurine, adorned with around 300 scales, requires over three days of dedicated work. Adding a spiritual dimension to the scene, the pearl is similarly hand-engraved, symbolizing knowledge, wisdom, and abundance.
Each 25-piece limited edition showcases a unique dial color, achieved through the skill of the enameling artisan. The 40 mm-diameter case in 950 platinum features a deep blue Grand Feu enamel dial, complemented by a blue Mississipiensis alligator leather strap. The pink gold version, also 40 mm in diameter, boasts a brown Grand Feu enamel dial of timeless beauty, paired with a tone-on-tone Mississipiensis alligator leather strap.
A calibre that unleashes creativity
In the Métiers d’Art collection, watchmaking technology serves the realm of artistic creativity. Behind the scenes, Vacheron Constantin has chosen the in-house self-winding Calibre 2460 G4, placing the dial at the forefront. The hands-free watch face uniquely displays the passage of time through four apertures, revealing the hours and minutes, as well as the jumping day-date displays. Through the sapphire crystal caseback in 950 platinum or 18K 5N pink gold, Calibre 2460 G4 unveils the beauty of its finishing, highlighted by its 22K gold oscillating weight adorned with a motif inspired by Vacheron Constantin’s iconic Maltese Cross emblem.