Vacheron Constantin presents a series of four limited edition watches, created in close collaboration with the Former Associate Research Librarian of the Palace Museum housed in Beijing's Forbidden City. A cultural tribute with the representation of the ‘Seawater Cliff’ motif, a decorative symbol specific to the imperial court of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The creative expression of the Maison’s profound attachment to the world of artistic crafts and culture through its master artisans.

Vacheron Constantin pays tribute to ancient Chinese culture with its new Métiers d'Art Tribute to Traditional Symbols series, featuring two interpretations of the ‘Seawater Cliff’, a legendary Chinese motif that first appeared in the 14th century. This depiction of wave-lashed cliffs belongs to the cultural tradition of Imperial China, a special field of study for Mr. Song, the Former Associate Research Librarian of the Palace Museum, who guided the Vacheron Constantin artisans on this project. The ‘Seawater Cliff’ motif is omnipresent on courtly architectural elements, but also on furniture and porcelain, as well as on imperial clothing and particularly the so-called ‘dragon’ robes. These richly embroidered silk ceremonial garments conveyed distinctive symbolism according to their motifs.

In agreement with this expert in Chinese history and symbolism, studies on the dials of the four Métiers d’Art limited editions focused on the ‘Seawater Cliff’ motif. Extensively documented by Mr. Song, this depiction features a mountain towering above the tides with their ebb and flow lashing its cliffs. Embroidered on the lower hem and cuffs of the robe, this ornamentation was regarded as auspicious for those who wore it.

The Métiers d'Art Tribute to Traditional Symbols series offers a journey into the history and culture of China's last two Imperial dynasties, from the 14th to the early 20th centuries. To immerse itself in the distinctive decor of this period, the Maison took a particular interest in the decorative arts.

Housed in a 38 mm diameter case in 18K pink or white gold, powered by Calibre 2460 driving central hours and minutes hands, these dials provide a forceful, beautiful expression of Chinese cultural symbolism.

The ‘Seawater Cliff’ motif, as seen in Imperial architecture and ceremonial robes, is graphically very strong and richly coloured. This motif features a composition of sinuous lines for the tides, interwoven volutes for the waves lashing the cliffs and vertical structures for the mountain range above. This meant calling upon techniques capable of transcribing both the vast chromatic palette of this decoration and all its complexity.

For the first Métiers d'Art Tribute to Traditional Symbols Eternal flow timepiece, the cloisonné enamel technique, which originated in China, was the natural choice due to the flexibility it affords in the choice of colours and the graphic creation of highly elaborate shapes. For the dial of the Métiers d'Art Tribute to Traditional Symbols Moonlight Slivers watch, the aim was to achieve a depth effect on a monochrome base. Engraving is the only way to achieve this kind of result, with recessed enamelled and gem set parts and others in relief to accentuate the 3D effect, which is achieved here using a ‘flat wash’ uniform layer of paint in a single color.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Tribute to Traditional Symbols Eternal Flow

Available in a limited edition of 15 pieces each, the Eternal Flow watches are cased in a 38 mm case in either 18K pink or white gold, against a star-studded night sky, the mountain peaks, bordered by vegetation in the shape of ginger buds, are caressed by tidal waves. With its colourful aesthetic and respect for traditional Chinese ornamentation, this depiction is a masterpiece of cloisonné enamelling, which originated in China. The technique is also named Jingtai Blue, which pays tribute to its heyday which is in the era of Emperor Jingtai in the Ming Dynasty. The latter technique was a natural choice because of the flexibility it offers in terms of both the choice of colours and the graphic design of the intricate shapes.

Laying the 220 gold wires used to delineate the enameling fields forming the ‘Seawater Cliff’ motif alone requires more than 50 hours of work to shape the motif. This is followed by the enameling itself in successive layers according to color and intensity, with a kiln firing between each operation. It takes no less than 70 hours to achieve the rich tones that are so characteristic of this piece. A final polish then completes the work to highlight the gold cloisonné that gives substance to the motif. Finally, a translucent enamel coating instills a unique glow into this highly architectural composition, enhanced by the finesse of the lines and ancestral expertise.

To highlight this enameling work, the bezel of the model is entirely hand-engraved with a bat motif. In Chinese, 'bat' and 'happiness' have similar pronunciations —which goes some way to explaining the status of this animal as a harbinger of good fortune. In Chinese decoration, five bats are often seen together, traditionally expressing the ‘Five Good Fortunes’ which are longevity, wealth, stability, virtue, and happiness.

On this watch, the engraver has depicted the bat in the form of a frieze composed of successive volutes representing the animal’s characteristic silhouette. The watches are powered by the Vacheron Constantin in-house calibre 2460 with a power reserve of 40 hours.

The watches are delivered on burgundy or dark blue alligator leather straps with stitches of the same color and each strap is equipped with an 18K 5N pink gold or 18K white gold folding clasp.

Sticker Price Upon Request. For more info on Vacheron Constantin click here.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Tribute to Traditional Symbols Moonlight Slivers

Also available in a limited edition of 15 pieces each, the Moonlight Slivers watches are cased in a 38 mm case in either 18K pink or white gold. For this second ‘Seawater Cliff’ motif, the aim was to achieve a depth effect on a monochrome base. Crafted in 18K white or pink gold depending on the model, the all-in-one-piece dial features hollowed waves, blue enamelled parts and raised diamond-set sections for the mountain area. The master artisan has used a blend of techniques to create this composition, endowing the motif with a subtle yet distinctive aesthetic.

The gold dial is divided into three parts. The first, which delineates the sea, is made of deep-blue Grand Feu enamel applied in successive kiln-fired layers. This is followed by patient engraving. The technique used for this depiction of waves is engraving on enamel to create volutes. These are then accentuated by the master artisan, who fills in the furrows with white enamel that is then also fired. This extremely thin layer creates a subtle shadow on a delicately textured background, creating the impression of a sea in motion.

The second part, devoted to the sea tides running along the mountain range, is reserved for the setting. Each sea tide is delicately hand-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, evoking the moon slivers that inspired the name of this piece. Meanwhile, the third part of the dial serves to add relief, with a mountain range lashed by foaming waves. Meticulously engraved with tone-on-tone champlevé enamel inlays to accentuate the depth of the landscape, this portrayal of the mountains is also worked in drypoint to accentuate the perspective effect.

The sparkling 239 brilliant-cut diamonds adorning the sea tides on the dial exude an ashen moonlight gleam, echoed by the setting of the bezel entirely adorned with 74 brilliant-cut diamonds. The total number of diamonds on the dial and the bezel is 313 diamonds, totaling approximately a minimum of 0.9 guaranteed carats.

The watches are powered by the Vacheron Constantin in-house calibre 2460 with a power reserve of 40 hours and are delivered on dark blue alligator leather straps with stitches of the same color and each strap is equipped with an 18K 5N pink gold or 18K white gold folding clasp.

Sticker Price Upon Request. For more info on Vacheron Constantin click here.