Luxury watchmaker Vacheron Constantin unveiled two new creations that celebrate the 2014 ‘Year of the Horse’ – a vibrant dedication to its Métiers d’Art heritage. Drawing inspiration from the art of paper-cutting, or Jianzhi , the brand has translated this art into the field of watchmaking. This technique appears on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list and is echoed in Scherenschnitt, the popular art of paper-cutting born in the Pays d’Enhaut region of Switzerland.
Inspired by classic Chinese iconography, the leaf motif that appears on the gold-enameled dial is produced using the traditional Grand Feu technique found only in Geneva, and mastered by only a few artisans.
The horse is delicately applied to the centre of the dial, poised as if ready to galop through the sapphire crystal and thus creating a truly striking effect.
Beating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour, the Legend of the Chinese Zodiac features Vacheron Constantin’s unique Calibre 2460 G4, a mechanical self-winding movement is equipped with a 22-carat gold oscillating weight adorned with a dynamic geometrical motif inspired by the shape of the Maltese Cross, the historical House emblem.
The ‘Year of the Horse’ is limited to 12 pieces in 18-carat pink gold and 12 pieces in platinum, and are available exclusively at Vacheron Constantin Boutiques.
References:
86073/000P-9752 – Platinum
86073/000R-9751 – Pink gold
Photos Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin