Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art The legend of the Chinese zodiac features the tiger with an intricate and delicate paper-cut design on the dial that is done with Grand Feu enamelling
Next year is the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese lunar calendar and for those born in the year of this proud and majestic animal are said to be courageous, confident and fearless. It has been predicted that the year 2022 will be a good year for Tigers to invest their wealth.
The hands-free time display is achieved through four apertures showing the hours, minutes, days and dates
One investing idea you might want to look into is the specially designed timepiece by Vacheron Constantin that features a tiger. Vacheron Constantin is always staying in touch with collectors and devotees of Haute Horlogerie through its Métiers d’Art (or craftsmanship). Being launched are two new creations that combine the technical excellence of Caliber 2460 G4.
Enhanced by the manufacturer’s master craftsmen, these genuine works of art demonstrate creativity that is open to the world and know-how that has been passed down from generation to generation. For this collection, Vacheron Constantin adopts the Chinese paper-cutting technique known as jianzhi, a popular art that is similar to the Scherenschnitt paper-cutting by the Swiss. The word Scherenschnitt is German for “scissor cuts” that are popular with silhouettes and often used to decorate love letters.
This intricate artistic technique is high-lighted in the Métiers d’Art The legend of the Chinese zodiac but given a new interpretation in the hands of the master engravers and enamellers. Designs begin with vegetal motifs appearing on the dial and based on classic Chinese iconography are etched directly in the metal. The pattern remains semi-embedded and stands out from its gold base by a subtle stage-setting of variously accentuating reliefs creating a depth effect. This makes the vegetation appear to be floating over the dial. Also on feature is Grand Feu enamelling, an ancestral technique that remains the preserve of a very few particularly skilled artisans. The painstaking process begins by applying the enamel in successive layers, the enamel specialist enhances the intensity of the blue or bronze-toned dial. Achieving the necessary mastery of colour and of reactions are put to the test by firing at temperatures between 800 and 900 degrees Celsius; a task that only an expert with years of experience. The animal, made of platinum or pink gold, is hand engraved and delicately applied to the dial centre.
Clearly visible through the sapphire crystal back of the platinum or pink gold case, the 22-carat oscillating weight features a decor inspired by the Maltese cross emblem
Just as the exterior of the timepiece is to be appreciated, the inner workings of the watch is to be studied. Calibre 2460 G4 makes it possible to create a distinctive and ideal stage-setting for the decorative arts, by giving the central dial motif the spotlight.
The hands-free time display is achieved through four apertures showing the hours, minutes, days and dates. These indications — the first two of the dragging variety and the last two of the jumping type — proudly embody the longstanding savoir-faire of the Maison in designing and developing original displays.
Visible through the sapphire crystal back of the platinum or pink gold case is the 22-carat oscillating weight that features a decor inspired by the Maltese cross emblem. All movement components are indeed finely finished in accordance with the criteria of the Hallmark of Geneva, a quality label of which Vacheron Constantin is well known for.
Features that make this a watch to behold
Métiers d’Art The legend of the Chinese zodiac - Year of the tiger References
86073/000P-B900 86073/000R-B901
Calibre
2460 G4
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, self-winding
31 mm diameter, 6.05 mm thick
40 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) 237 components
27 jewels
Hallmark of Geneva certified
Hours, minutes, day of the week and date in apertures
Case
Platinum/18K 5N pink gold
40 mm diameter, 12.72 mm thick Transparent sapphire crystal caseback Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3bar (30m)
Dial
18K gold, hand-engraved, Grand Feu enamelled, hand-engraved platinum/18K 5N pink gold tiger
Strap
Dark blue/brown Mississippi alligator leather with alligator leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales
Clasp
Platinum/18K 5N pink gold folding clasp
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Accessories
Delivered with a corrector pen
