Vacheron Constantin is writing a new chapter in the Métiers d’Art collection with four Tribute to Explorer Naturalists ten-piece limited editions. An ode to exploration, craftsmanship, and technicity, the series focuses on the scientific discoveries of the naturalists who traveled the world's oceans aboard the English ship Beagle in the early 1830s. Four horological tableaux, at the crossroads of science and art, masterpieces of engraving and miniature enamel powered by the iconic manufacture Calibre 1120 AT/1 with satellite wandering hours.
Through the sensitive and delicate touch of its Master Artisans, Vacheron Constantin tells fascinating stories and invites aesthetic collectors on a new journey through time. Inspired by the scientific odyssey of naturalists who boarded the English ship the Beagle in the early 1830s, the Métiers d'Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists collection opens a new window on the world. Available in four ten-piece limited editions in pink or white gold, each 41 mm in diameter, the collection harmoniously blends the talents of the master engraver and the master enameller to provide an illustrated account of the naturalists' discoveries around the world. It is an epic journey through time, history, and science, embarking collectors on a fantastic voyage from Cape Verde to the Cape of Good Hope, via the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego. Each timepiece is powered by the self-winding in-house Calibre 1120 AT/1 and paired with a Mississipiensis alligator strap.
Vacheron Constantin invites collectors to embark on the Beagle alongside the most illustrious 19th-century naturalists. It comes after the 1994 Mercator model —in homage to geographer Geraldus Mercator—, but the Métiers d'Art Tribute to Great Explorers series revealed in 2021, and the Métiers d'Art Aérostiers series in 2018 celebrating the conquest of the skies.
During their odyssey across the world's oceans between 1831 and 1836, these scientific explorers richly documented their discoveries. Fabulous tropical plants with shiny foliage, colorful birds of paradise, butterflies in exotic colors, groves of flowering and fruit trees along with a fascinating array of wildlife were observed at every stop on this long voyage. These discoveries gave rise to countless scientific, botanical, and zoological engravings and drawings —some of which inspired Vacheron Constantin's Métiers d'Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists collection— composing a delicately illustrated, refined, and colorful account.
The Movement
To give free rein to the skills of its enamellers and engravers, Vacheron Constantin has once again opted for in-house self-winding Calibre 1120 AT/1. A guarantee of elegance on the wrist, this 5.45 mm-thick movement is distinguished by its slenderness, giving the gold case a streamlined silhouette measuring just 11.68 mm thick.
Thanks to its original construction and unique time display, the technical aspects are replaced by aesthetics, inviting the wearer to take a visual journey through the dial as the hours tick by. Concealed beneath the upper part of the dial, the hours’ wheel is equipped with three arms, each bearing four Arabic numerals in turn directed by a cam whose shape is inspired by the Manufacture’s Maltese cross emblem. This ingenious and technical satellite module enables the wandering hours to sweep over the dial from top to bottom, along the fixed minutes track appearing over a 120-degree arc. In this way, the hours numerals travel across the dial adorned with artistic crafts, with their position indicating the minutes instead of a traditional hand.
The back of the movement is, as always, adorned with finishes paying homage to traditional High Watchmaking decorations, such as the Côtes de Genève guilloché pattern swept over by the 22K gold oscillating weight adorned with a compass rose.
VACHERON CONSTantin Métiers d’Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists Cape Verde
At the heart of the 41 mm white gold case is a two-part tableau. On the upper part of the dial, engraving, and enameling combine to trace the majestic silhouette of the Beagle. Viewed from its stern, the finely engraved gold ship with its billowing sails glides across a miniature-painted ocean. The lower part displaying the hours and minutes is graced with a naturalist scene in which bouquets of flowers burst forth and blossom in the shade of luxuriant foliage, reproduced by the enameling artisan with infinite finesse and a captivating play on colors, while Calibre 1120 AT/1 reveals its secrets through a sapphire caseback aperture. This ten-piece limited edition is fitted with a blue Mississipiensis alligator strap secured by a white gold folding buckle.
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Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists Straits of Magellan
After several weeks at sea, the Beagle crossed the Strait of Magellan, discovered some 300 years earlier by the explorer whose name it bears. While the region was extremely remote, naturalists discovered abundant vegetation where palm leaves mingled with ferns, reproduced on the lower part of the dial. The colours have been carefully worked by the enamelling artisan over the course of several kiln firings to ensure the best possible match with the shade of pink gold from which the 41 mm case is sculpted. The upper part of the dial is graced with a fine white gold engraving depicting the Beagle sailing on blue-enamelled waves, while the sapphire crystal case back reveals a continuation of the visual journey with the delicate finishing of Calibre 1120 AT/1. This ten-piece limited edition is paired with a blue Mississipiensis alligator strap secured by a pink gold folding buckle.
Sticker Price Upon Request. For more info on Vacheron Constantin click here.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists Tierra del Fuego
On Tierra del Fuego, the archipelago at the southernmost tip of the South American continent, the naturalists traveling aboard the Beagle discovered enchanting flora and fauna. Vacheron Constantin's artisans drew inspiration from a number of period engravings to create a picture to be explored from every angle. Housed in a 41 mm white gold case, the upper dial features an engraving depicting a 3D butterfly and two birds standing out against a background adorned with miniature paintings. On the lower part of the dial, an ancient terrestrial map of Tierra del Fuego is reproduced in miniature enamel, along with a windrose as a nod to the world of travel. Visible through the transparent back, Calibre 1120 AT/1 beats time. This ten-piece limited edition is paired with a green Mississipiensis alligator strap secured by a white gold folding buckle.
Sticker Price Upon Request. For more info on Vacheron Constantin click here.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists Cape of Good Hope
Depicted on its way back to Europe, the Beagle skirts the African coast from the Cape of Good Hope. This legendary passage has been used by navigators since the late 15th century and can be seen on the miniature enamel maritime scene presented on the lower part of the dial. A close look reveals every detail of the Beagle depicted in this extremely fine decoration. On the upper part of the dial, the combined talents of the engraver and enameler create a landscape resembling a Garden of Eden, just as the naturalists observed when they stopped off at the Cape of Good Hope. The delicate plumage of the birds perched amid the foliage is matched by the languid silhouette of an iguana. A naturalistic scene to be discovered at the heart of the 41 mm pink gold case. The show continues on the other side with the meticulous finishing of Calibre 1120 AT/1, visible through the sapphire crystal case back. This ten-piece limited edition is paired with a green Mississipiensis alligator strap secured by a pink gold folding buckle.
Sticker Price Upon Request. For more info on Vacheron Constantin click here.
