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In 00/24 WatchWorld issue 3-2011 we’ve published an article the true craftsmanships of about Vacheron Constantin’s. Most exclusive part of these skills is the service called “Atelier Cabinotiers”. It’s a service that makes Vacheron Constantin (1755) more than unique: producing single pieces, based on the customers wishes, set up to revive the tradition of producing bespoke watches.

That’s difficult if you know that you need a lot of craftsmanship and acknowledge in-house to make such wonderful things. One of those special craftsmanships of Vacheron Constantin is turning the dial into a wonderful piece of art. Best example of these excellent skilles is the Metiers d’Art”: watches that are very exceptional because of the painting, engraving, sculpturing and decorating patterns on the dial.

Already designed for the “Metiers d’Art” collection are: Les Masques (in partnership with the Barbier-Mueller Museum), the Chagall & L’Opéra de Paris and La Symbolique des Laques. And during the SIHH 2012 new “Métiers d’Art” watches are shown to the public: Les Univers Inifinis, with three different dials designed by the Dutch artist Maurits Cornelis Escher. He created a pattern of pigeons (think of the Dove watch during the Only Watch auction last year), fishes and starfishes. The new collection embodies several artistic arts, exercised within the manufacture: enamelling, gemsetting, engraving and guilloché work.

All three 40mm cases – made of 18 carat white gold – have the mechanical, self-winding movement, calibre 2460, bearing the Hallmark of Geneva. The polished angles, hand-drawn flanks, circular-grained mainplate, bridges adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif and the oscillating weight featuring the elegant crossweave guilloché pattern, are all visible through the transparent, sapphire crystal case-back. The 18 carat white gold dial shows the wearer the hours, minutes, center seconds and the power reserve of 40 hours. It’s unlikely that you will test it, but the watch is water resistant till 30 meters. The black alligator leather strap is hand-stitched and saddle finished and has a clasp made of 18 carat white gold. The watches are available through the Vacheron Constantin Internation Boutiques in a limited edition of 20 pieces for each model.

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