“The sky’s the limit.” If he could speak, might the mechanical Astronomer – whose figure stands at the center of La Quête du Temps – perhaps whisper this phrase to us? No words are needed to invite anyone lucky enough to contemplate this monumental timepiece to be filled with infinite admiration. Merging mechanical artistry, astronomy and craftsmanship, Vacheron Constantin's automaton clock is a spectacular demonstration of the quest for technical and creative excellence that has driven the Maison since its founding in 1755.
La Quête du Temps is quite simply masterful. Seven years of development, 6,293 mechanical components (including 2,370 for the clock and 1,020 components for its cabinet), seven watchmaking patents filed, 23 horological complications, 144 movements performed by the automaton, 158 cams driving it, eight patent applications for its mechanisms... A mere mathematical enumeration is already enough to convey the stunning complexity of this masterpiece of watchmaking.
To the rhythm of the cosmos
La Quête du Temps is structured in three segments. The 40cm-diameter glass dome housing the automaton is adorned with a hand-engraved golden Sun and a Northern Hemisphere star chart. The latter depicts the constellations positioned as they appeared in the sky above Geneva on 17 September 1755: the date on which Jean-Marc Vacheron signed the employment contract for his first apprentice. Held on a semicircular plane, a retrograde 3D Moon appears at the mechanical Astronomer’s feet. Alongside it, as if floating in space, curved titanium scales bear hours and minutes numerals arranged by five-minute intervals – in random order. The automaton is able to perform 144 distinct gestures enabling it to display the time, a technical challenge that required the development of a mechanical time memory directly linked to the clock. A second mechanism was also created to accompany the automaton's choreography with dedicated musical compositions by Woodkid.
Born under a lucky star
The central part of La Quête du Temps houses the astronomical clock, whose indications are presented on two dials. Here again, Vacheron Constantin demonstrates impressive technical prowess. On the front, the retrograde hours and minutes appearing on two curved rock crystal sectors rub shoulders with the perpetual calendar displayed in three apertures, along with a 15-day power-reserve indicator. The sunrise and sunset indications and the 31-day retrograde date complete the picture, with an oversized tourbillon topped by a magnifying glass and a 24-hour day/night display. On the reverse side, a second power-reserve indicator and a sky chart – engraved in mineral glass and inked with gold color – invite observers to dive into the mysteries of the cosmos, echoed by the delicate mother-of-pearl and ornamental stone marquetry adorning the base housing hand-wound Caliber 2370.
A symphony of expertise
However impressive the facts and figures, they cannot fully describe the marvelous scale of this work. Vacheron Constantin has created a veritable manifesto of virtuosity and human excellence with this astronomical clock. To undertake this incredible odyssey, the Maison called upon the talents of those who now contribute to perpetuating the quest for excellence initiated by Jean-Marc Vacheron 270 years ago. Designers, artisans, watchmakers, engineers, musicians and astronomers were all involved in its making. François Junod designed the automaton. L'Épée 1839 cooperated with the Manufacture in fashioning the clock and its cabinet. Driven by passion and expertise, they have all brought their own touch to this spectacular timepiece, which Vacheron Constantin unveiled and exhibited in a stunning demonstration of true artistry at the Louvre this fall!
