Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac—Year of the Snake
The manufacture unites engraving and miniature enamelling in creating two new 25-piece limited series in pink gold or platinum. Share
Following an initial 12-year cycle during which Vacheron Constantin dedicated two limited series to each sign of the Chinese zodiac, this year the Maison is launching a new Métiers d’Art series, The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac, based on the figure of the snake. Depicted as a cobra on the dial of the two limited editions, this design highlights the enduring relationship between Chinese and Swiss cultures, a connection that dates back to the mid-19th century. Vacheron Constantin, established in 1755, ventured into Asia in 1845, with a particular focus on China.
Within just 90 years of its founding, the brand became instrumental in popularizing jewellery watches among the high dignitaries of the Chinese Court, creating elaborate timepieces adorned with engravings and enamels, often sold in pairs. These watches are beyond artistically significant, they are functionally superior, offering remarkable water resistance—an essential feature given China’s humid climate.
Over time, Vacheron Constantin has maintained its prominent presence in China, fostering numerous partnerships and designing watches influenced by Asian, particularly Chinese, culture. These creations continue to be highly valued by watch enthusiasts and collectors alike. This openness to global influence and relentless pursuit of cultural exploration is beautifully embodied in Vacheron Constantin’s latest showcase of its artistic crafts.
Vacheron Constantin continues to push the boundaries of aesthetic innovation with its new Métiers d’Art cycle, The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac. This ongoing cycle, which will span the next twelve years, is set to demonstrate the full spectrum of craftsmanship, showcasing the advanced techniques that the Maison’s artisans have perfected. The dials of these limited editions offer a glimpse into the meticulous artistry of the engraver and enameller, whose combined skills bring each timepiece to life.
The results of their craftsmanship are evident in the detailed depiction of a cobra, sinuously draped over a rock, on the dial. These gold appliques are the work of a master engraver who carves the precious metal—whether pink or white gold—into its final textured form, a process that requires a delicate balance of force and finesse.
It takes three days to sculpt the snake and the rock, with their textures and reliefs further enhanced by the application of miniature paint and patina. In the pink gold edition, the cobra and rock take on ochre tones, while in the platinum version, they are rendered in anthracite grey. Complementing these elements, the colours of the indicators displayed in the four apertures are carefully matched to the dial’s motif, which is adorned with intricate miniature paintings.
To craft these detailed decorations, Vacheron Constantin enlisted the expertise of a master enameller, employing two distinct techniques. The first technique involves gradient Grand Feu enamel, used for the dial’s background, while the second technique is an ancient Geneva method known as flux-coated miniature opaque enamel, applied to the flora. The Master Enameller meticulously applies enamel powder of the chosen colour to the dial’s surface using an extremely fine brush.
Each layer of colour requires firing in an oven at temperatures ranging from 820°C to 850°C, a process that is repeated multiple times to achieve the full spectrum of colours in the design. The dials of the Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Snake watches reveal a delicate gradient from the centre to the periphery, adorned with foliage in ochre tones on the pink gold edition and green on the platinum version. These two limited editions, each comprising just 25 pieces, are housed in elegant 40 mm cases paired with alligator leather straps—brown for the pink gold model and blue for the platinum version.
Vacheron Constantin equips these Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Snake watches with the in-house Calibre 2460 G4. This movement stands out for its unique method of displaying hours, minutes, days, and dates via four discs visible through apertures around the dial’s edge. The hands-free design, with trailing indications for hours and minutes and jumping indications for day and date, exemplifies Maison’s expertise in creating mechanisms that serve both technical precision and artistic expression. The case back, crafted from sapphire crystal, offers a view of the 22K gold oscillating weight, adorned with a guilloché pattern, alongside the movement components, all finished to the highest standards of craftsmanship.
