Some journeys have no physical destination. These are ‘armchair’ journeys, calling for thought, a hint of curiosity and a certain capacity for wonderment. The journey on which Vacheron Constantin invites us is one that whisks the heart and mind off to other places, beneath other skies, through territories of expression retracing eras and celebrating cultures. The Les Cabinotiers – Récits de Voyages series of single-edition timepieces takes the form of an open travel invitation. A journey to the heart of the artistic crafts cultivated by Vacheron Constantin, a fantasy horological odyssey intermingled with the history of the Maison, its values of openness to the world, as well as its attachment to culture and the arts for almost 270 years.
Bringing the world to the wrist
The spectacular and extremely refined nine single-edition models composing this Les Cabinotiers – Récits de Voyages collection express the quintessence of the Maison’s expertise. At the watershed of craftsmanship and mechanical art, each model evokes the spirit of Vacheron Constantin’s founders who opened the world’s doors to the Manufacture’s creations in the early 19th century. The founder’s grandson Jacques-Barthélémi Vacheron (1787 – 1864) was the first to crisscross France and Italy, ably supported by his associate François Constantin (1788 – 1854). Europe, South America, the United States, China and Scandinavia are just some of the places where this tireless traveler left Vacheron Constantin’s indelible imprint.
Peak artistic crafts
Vacheron Constantin called on its finest artisans to tell the story of this odyssey. As the journey unfolds, we glimpse the infinite precision of the engraver’s touch on the Memorable places series. The Malte Tourbillon – Tribute to Haussmannian style watch, whose openworked caliber and gold tonneau-shaped case are entirely hand-engraved, is a masterpiece of craftsmanship is also found on the Minute Repeater Tourbillon – Tribute to arabesque, whose dial has been delicately carved in the mashrabiya style. In other latitudes, atop New York skyscrapers, the collection takes connoisseurs on a rediscovery of the Art Deco style, in the form of a timepiece adorned with wood marquetry. Not forgetting an impressive grisaille enamel dragon, a phantasmagorical creature majestically appearing among the timepieces in this collection interweaving artisanal expertise, demonstrations of technical skills and history.
Christian Selmoni, Style & Heritage Director
What aspects of Vacheron Constantin's history did you want to relate with Les Cabinotiers – Récits de Voyages?
Each of these single-piece editions was inspired by Vacheron Constantin’s attachment to the notion of travel, to its vocation for exploration that began in the early 19th century, initially for commercial reasons. Throughout Vacheron Constantin’s history, this spirit of openness to the world has nurtured our creations by infusing them with other cultures and influences. For this series of single-piece editions, Les Cabinotiers – Récits de Voyages, we have chosen to highlight countries, regions, continents and cultures through emblematic stylistic expressions such as architecture, for example, or artistic movements.
You are presenting new craft techniques, notably with the Memorable places timepieces. Is it still possible to innovate in the field of artistic crafts?
The Maison has always ensured that these artistic crafts techniques do not vanish and instead continue to fuel its creative universe. While they are now as much a part of High Watchmaking as the great mechanical complications, this has certainly not always been the case. For Vacheron Constantin, the transmission of knowledge is essential and forms the very bedrock of its activity. For this reason, Vacheron Constantin, which has always recognized the true value of artistic craftsmanship, is committed to preserving these techniques, some of which are under threat. Our collections reflect this commitment. At Vacheron Constantin, we encourage in-house training of our own artisans, but we are also always on the lookout for collaborations with the most talented of these experts, who offer tremendous potential for innovation. To sum up, not everything has been said about craftsmanship.
Watchmaking technology is also on the agenda, notably with the ultra-thin Memorable places and the Armillary tourbillon models.
Since its creation in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has been involved in all aspects of the watchmaking art, from pocket watches and wristwatches to rings, sautoir necklaces and brooches, demonstrating consummate mastery of complications, grand complications and ultra-thin mechanical movements. While this latter area of expertise might for example easily appear less prestigious than watches with complications, this is definitely not the case. Ultra-thin calibers require just as much talent and skill, as Vacheron Constantin has demonstrated right from the outset. This quest for finesse became a Vacheron Constantin signature throughout the last century and is notably featured on the Memorable places timepieces. In this collection, the technical expression of the Maison’s expertise is essential. A glimpse at the Armillary tourbillon reveals that it pays tribute to Art Deco through its exceptional movement. A view through the caseback reveals the three bridges with their spectacular guilloché work. Mechanical art is also a means of creative expression.
