Vacheron Constantin once again showcases its spirit of homage to cultural traditions with its exceptional craftsmanship and creativity. The newly launched Métiers d’Art collection “Tribute to Traditional Symbols” watch seamlessly blends profound Chinese cultural significance with exquisite watchmaking techniques, offering a fresh interpretation of the traditional Chinese motif “Sea Water and River Cliff Pattern,” resulting in a series of timepieces of immense artistic value.
The Métiers d’Art series “Tribute to Traditional Symbols” focuses on the design inspired by the “Water and Mountain Pattern” from Chinese traditional culture. This pattern originated during the Ming Dynasty and, with its imagery of mountains and rivers, symbolizes imperial majesty and national stability. Jaeger-LeCoultre conducted an in-depth study of this motif, with professional guidance from Mr. Song, a former deputy curator at the Palace Museum in Beijing. Mr. Song’s extensive research on the “Water and Mountain Pattern” provided rich cultural context and technical support for the designs in this series, making these timepieces not only exquisite works of art but also carriers of historical culture.
Waves of Eternity: Cloisonné Enamel and Hand-Carving The design of this watch is inspired by the ancient Chinese cloisonné enamel technique, with the undulating mountains and the magnificent waves of the sea on the dial crafted meticulously using this method. The production process involves the use of 220 strands of gold wire, requiring over 50 hours of manual labor, followed by a multi-layer enamel kiln firing technique to present a variety of colors and lusters. The entire production process takes at least 70 hours, concluding with polishing to ensure a perfect combination of golden sheen and intricate pattern details, showcasing the historical depth and artistry of the “Ocean Waves and Cliffs” motif.
Moonlight on the Landscape: Ming Dynasty Enamel Dial and Gemstone Inlay The second watch focuses on showcasing visual layers against a monochromatic background, with a dial crafted from a single piece of 18K white gold or rose gold, complemented by water pattern engraving, blue enamel, and diamond inlays, embodying the grandeur of towering mountains. This watch employs the Ming Dynasty fire enamel technique, allowing each detail to exhibit unique color variations during high-temperature firing, resulting in a final product that is dazzling yet retains an understated elegance.
These two watches, in both design philosophy and craftsmanship, represent Vacheron Constantin’s profound understanding and respect for Chinese culture. Every detail has been meticulously refined and polished, perfectly blending the ancient spirit of traditional Chinese motifs with modern high-end watchmaking techniques, making them treasures that no watch collector should miss.
