At the beginning of 2014, Vacheron Constantin unveiled its Métiers d’Art Mécaniques Ajourées collection. The four watches include a jewellery piece and feature a Grand Feu enamelled ring of different colours - grey, black and blue. For Only Watch 2015, Vacheron Constantin has created a unique piece, in white gold, adorned with a red enamelled ring.
The Métiers d’Art Mécaniques Ajourées line links two worlds that evolved in similar ways in the late 19th century: architecture and watchmaking. Based on one of the stellar in-house movements, Calibre 4400, the sculptural timepieces, with their airy, transparent and finely arched construction exalting the art of openworking vividly evoke the large European railway stations symbolising the golden age of the industrial revolution. The engraver’s technique is reinvented to resemble that of the sculptor, revealing fascinating light effects conveyed through a three-dimensional architecture enhanced by another artistic craft: that of Grand Feu enamelling.
While the openworked architecture of Calibre 4400SQ reveals a wealth of fascinating hand-engraved work, it should in no way eclipse the technical performances of this mechanism. Beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, the movement displays remarkable precision and offers a 65-hour power reserve. Nonetheless, the mechanical aspects alone are not the only features to meet the highest standards of Fine Watchmaking, since the entire model is certified by the Hallmark of Geneva.
For Only Watch 2015, the Grand Feu enamelled ring of the unique piece has turned red. Furthermore, the openworked ONLY WATCH logo on the ring at 3 o’clock celebrates this charity event organized by the Monaco Yacht Show, Phillips’ watch department and the Monaco Association Against Muscular Dystrophy.
The inscriptions “2015” and “N°1/1” are engraved on the back of the timepiece, which is fitted with a black Mississippiensis alligator leather strap, with large square scales.
