Luxury watch makers Vacheron Constantin celebrate the Year of the Dragon and its legend with two 25-piece limited editions..
In Chinese culture, the dragon is said to be endowed with incredible virtues. As the Year of the Rabbit draws to a close, the fabulous dragon follows, majestically occupying the dial of the two new Métiers d'Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Dragon limited editions unveiled at Watches and Wonders Shanghai.
The embodiment of honour, nobility, success and good luck, this supernatural creature was also a powerful symbol of Chinese imperial power and is doubtless still the most popular zodiac sign in this age-old culture. Its sculpted snake-like silhouette now takes centre stage on this watch, a symbolic sight featuring countless details that stand out in relief against a delicately engraved and enamelled decoration. The resulting fantastical artwork epitomises a blend of strength and delicacy, born of the union of engraving and enamelling, two rare skills cultivated by Vacheron Constantin.
Engraving meets enamelling
The two new Métiers d'Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of Dragon limited editions combine the finesse of the master enameller with the delicacy of the master engraver. The artisan first sculpts the gold dial to create a dreamlike decor of air flows and clouds, inspired by traditional Chinese artistic motifs. The dragon stands out against this refined backdrop, also hand-engraved with an unparalleled sense of detail. It takes more than three days of work to bring this mystical figurine to life, its body adorned with some 300 scales. Synonymous with knowledge, wisdom and abundance, the similarly hand-engraved pearl adds a spiritual dimension to the scene.
Each 25-piece limited edition features a different dial colour, achieved through the expertise of the enamelling artisan. The 40 mm-diameter case in 950 platinum features a deep blue Grand Feu enamel dial matched with a blue Mississipiensis alligator leather strap. The likewise 40 mm pink gold version features a brown Grand Feu enamel dial of unalterable beauty, matched with a tone-on-tone Mississipiensis alligator leather strap.
A calibre that unleashes creativity
Within the Métiers d'Art collection, watchmaking technology is dedicated to the service of artistic creativity. Behind the scenes, Vacheron Constantin has opted for the in-house self-winding Calibre 2460 G4, which gives pride of place to the dial. The hands-free watch face provides a unique indication of the passage of time through four apertures opening onto the trailing hours and minutes, as well as the jumping day-date displays. Through the sapphire crystal caseback in 950 platinum or 18K 5N pink gold, Calibre 2460 G4 reveals the beauty of its finishing, starting with its 22K gold oscillating weight adorned with a motif inspired by Vacheron Constantin’s Maltese Cross emblem.
