Vacheron Constantin - Metiers d'Art Fabuleux Ornements, India manuscript
The new Metiers d'Arts Fabuleux Ornements collection celebrates the ornamental beauties of the world drawn from the decorative arts of several cultures. It unveils four ladies' models born of the art of openworking and a combination of artistic crafts. Ten different master artisans have taken turns in providing talented reinterpretations of Ottoman architecture, Chinese embroidery, Indian manuscripts and French lacework. These creations are equipped with an ethereal hand-engraved calibre echoing the precious dial ornamentation.
Guillochage, Grand Feu enamel, diamonds, pearls and mother-of-pearl, as well as engraving, glyptics and gemstone cloisonne effects: traditional arts at the crossroads between various cultures spring to life in the Metiers d'Arts Fabuleux Ornements collection, in step with the oscillations of an openworked hand-engraved calibre.
Metiers d'Art Fabuleux Ornements - India manuscript
Grand Feu champleve enamelling and hand engraving
Framed by a pink gold case topped by a diamond-set bezel, ten vibrant enamel colours blossom on the dial. These shimmering shades form oriental-inspired flowers blooming against a blue sky. The master-enameller has expressed the vivacity and richness of Indian illustrations through a profusion of intense enamels surrounding the openworked calibre, like the floral motifs decorating the margins of ancient oriental writings. The contours of its decor are first traced using the champleve technique to create cavities separated by thin gold partitions in order to apply the enamels. These ten different hues represent a daunting challenge in terms of mastering the successive firings, a process that calls for a true alchemist's skill. The foliage, which is meticulously hand-engraved after enamelling, heightens the radiance of the watch and echoes the engraving of the openworked calibre. This is one of the most delicate stages, since even the slightest slip of the hand can jeopardise the entire creation.
The openworking of the ultra-slim Calibre 1003 in 18K gold - a mere 1.64 mm thin - transform it into a lacework of engraved wheel trains. The feat consists in withdrawing a maximum of material without affecting the vital parts that ensure the smooth running of the watch. Setting the final touch to the work, all the bridges are hand-drawn with a file, while every single part is patiently hand-chamfered, decorated and fashioned in traditional manner to form an ideally feather-light composition. The finesse of the front-facing decor 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 pure, restrained appearance.
The Metiers d'Art Fabuleux Ornements watches bear the Hallmark of Geneva. They are produced in a limited edition of 20 pieces for each model.