Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre Museum

Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre Museum

Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre Museum continue to work closely together, perpetuating their ‘cultural and artistic partnership’. As part of this relationship, the two organisations have collaborated once again, this time offering one fortunate individual the opportunity to have their own ‘Masterpiece on the Wrist’. This unique piece will feature an enamel dial endowed with a depiction of a Museum masterpiece of their choosing.

Image – ©Pyramide-du-Louvre-arch.I.M.Pei-Musee-du-Louvre-dist.-RMN-Grand-Palais-Stephane

Vacheron Constantin depuis 1755

Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has a rich history of crafting the finest expressions of Haute Horlogerie for the great and the good as well as the most discerning souls. Underpinning its esteemed reputation for crafting peerless movements, the Maison has always been a leading practitioner of artistic crafts.

Métiers d’Art

Often termed ‘Métiers d’Art’, the list of age-old techniques includes enamelling, engraving, gem-setting, hand-guilloché and miniature painting. It is by employing these techniques on modern-day timepieces that the Manufacture perpetuates these rare skills for future generations.

Over the years, Vacheron Constantin has produced an impressive body of work. Some of its historic references featuring grand feu dials incorporate colours that are no longer available, created in an era when lead was widely used. Such artisanal silica-based liquids have been banned on health and safety grounds, hence the appearance of some historic watches can never be truly replicated. For this reason, along with many others, the preservation of these horological artefacts is essential.

Besides miniature painting, Vacheron Constantin also employs two other enamelling techniques, ‘Cloisonné’, a technique involving the use of supremely fine gold wires, and ‘Champlevé’. This latter technique involves an engraver making incisions into the dial blank to create a scene. Thereafter, the master enameller fills these recesses with enamel, one colour at a time. The dial is fired after each colour is applied.

Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre Museum

Described as ‘the world’s oldest watch Manufacture in continuous production for nearly 270 years’, the present-day employees of Vacheron Constantin are merely the custodians of a firm that will hopefully endure for years to come.

Image – ©2013 Pyramide du Louvre, arch. I. M . Pei, Musée du Louvre Olivier Ouadah

Bearing in mind the aforementioned comments, it was perhaps that Vacheron Constantin would eventually form a partnership with the world-renowned Louvre Museum in Paris. Both organisations share common values, safeguarding priceless artefacts for future generations to enjoy.

A Masterpiece on the Wrist

Back in 2020, the Genevan firm created a bespoke and unique Les Cabinotiers piece – Homage to  Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l’étendard de la Bataille d’Anghuiari. The watch was sold at auction with the proceeds going to the museum. In 2022, Vacheron Constantin produced four watches ‘inspired by the museum’s antique collections: Métiers d’Art – Tribute to Great Civilisations’.

Now, the Maison has announced a new initiative entitled ‘A Masterpiece on the Wrist’. Once again, a Les Cabinotiers creation, clients will be able ‘to choose from the museum’s works of art’ and have it reproduced in enamel on the dial of their unique watch.

The resultant watch will feature a dial enriched with miniature and grisaille enamels. It will incorporate a self-winding movement, the Calibre 2460SC, finished to the brand’s exalted standards, and will be housed in a 40mm case formed of 18-carat pink gold. The case and the movement will also feature the coveted punch of the Poinçon de Genève. Lastly, the unique timepiece will be supplied with a ‘certificate of authenticity for the reproduction of a masterpiece issued by Le Louvre’.

Further reading

https://www.vacheron-constantin.com

Technical specifications

• Model: Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers – Homage to Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l’étendard de la Bataille d’Anghiari
• Reference: 2400C/000R-114C
• Case: 18-carat pink gold, diameter 40 mm, height 9.42 mm, sapphire crystal to front and officer-type caseback, with line engraving
• Functions: hours, minutes, centre seconds
• Movement: Calibre 2460SC, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), 27 jewels, power reserve of approximately 40 hours, 182 components
• Strap: brown Mississippiensis alligator leather strap, fitted with 18-carat pink gold
• Price on request