DESIGNER 101
Vacheron Constantin 101:
Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements
By The Rebag Watch Team, May 19, 2021
Each culture has
an ornamental
tradition.
The Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements collection takes inspiration from the decorative arts from around the globe. Each intricately handcrafted watch focuses on a specific tradition: Ottoman architecture, Chinese embroidery, Indian manuscripts, and French lacework.
When Vacheron Constantin debuted the Métiers d’Art collection, it sought out to fuse the fine craftsmanship of watchmaking and jewelry design into exclusive, limited edition timepieces that take inspiration from art, history, and culture.
Continuing in this tradition, the Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements collection is a celebration of the beautiful ornamental traditions of different cultures drawn from the decorative arts found around the world.
In 2015, the Fabuleux Ornements collection featured a limited release of timepieces featuring inspiration from Ottoman architecture, Chinese embroidery, Indian manuscripts, and French lacework. These four models, each limited to 20 pieces, are a stunning combination of traditional artistic craftsmanship and watchmaking which bear the prestigious Poincon de Genève, or Hallmark of Geneva. These beautiful Vacheron Constantin watches feature the house’s ultra-thin, gorgeously hand-engraved, hand wound calibre 1003 movement in 18K gold.
French Lace
The French lacework Vacheron Constantin watch is a celebration of the beauty of French lace and is adorned by a marvelously translucent hand-guilloché Grand Feu enamel dial. The base of the gold dial is also clad in a guilloché motif, which gives a subtle depth to the transparent enamel. The design is finished off with garnet-colored sapphires and diamonds on the dial and diamond bezel.
In a nod to classic Vacheron Constantin subtly, tradition, and style, the solid case back is pierced by sapphire crystal which showcases more of the detail of the hand engraved calibre 1003. In total, it is adorned with 193 round-cut diamonds, equalling approximately 1.4 carats, and five garnet-colored sapphires weighing approximately 0.04 carats.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements French Lace
(Courtesy Eye of the Jewelry)
Ottoman Architecture
The Ottoman Architecture Vacheron Constantin timepiece was made using hand chamfering. It features a purple mother-of-pearl base, and gold grid-work dotted with half-pearl beads. It’s embellished with 1.1 carats in diamonds — 85 round-cut stones that frame the face.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements Ottoman Architecture
(Courtesy Eye of the Jewelry)
Indian Manuscript
This exquisite timepiece features the combination of grand feu champlevé enameling and hand engraving. Eighty-five round-cut diamonds weighing in at about 1.1 carats are used in the timepiece to frame the face
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements Indian Manuscript
(Courtesy Eye of the Jewelry)
Chinese Embroidery
The Chinese Embroidery Vacheron Constantin watch is made in white gold using the stone-cloisonné technique for beautiful jade flora. Sculpted from mother of pearl, the dial is formed from mother of pearl and features pink opal formed to emulate glyptic art. It’s complemented by hand engraved gold leaves and pistils. The watch displays 145 round-cut diamonds at 1.2 carats, about. 2.4 carats in jade and pink opal.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements Chinese Embroidery
(Courtesy Eye of the Jewelry)
Sizing
The Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements watches measure 37mm in diameter, and 8mm in thickness.
