Art on the Wrist

Is craftsmanship an art and can a watch be called a work of art? No, this is not the subject of the philosophy exam on which our future high school graduates are working, but instead a question that naturally arises upon seeing the four Métiers d’Art Tribute to great civilisations watches born of the artistic collaboration between Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre Museum as part of their partnership initiated in 2019. Four key artworks from the museum, representing four periods of Antiquity, have been selected to adorn the dials of four limited editions, each comprising five timepieces. Alongside models depicting the Great Sphinx of Tanis, the Lion of Darius and the bust of Augustus, the Victory of Samothrace watch combines the art of enameling, grisaille enamel, as well as engraving which reproduces the drapery of the statue in an extremely subtle manner. The result is a watch that does indeed look every inch the miniature masterpiece! 

Métiers d’Art Tribute to great civilisations Victory of Samothrace

Case: white gold, sapphire back, water-resistant to 30m
Size: 42mm
Movement: mechanical self-winding, Manufacture Caliber 2460 G4/2, 28,800 vph, 40h power reserve
Dial: hand engraved white gold frieze, grisaille enamel and enamel back, metallized engraved writing on sapphire crystal
Functions: hours, minutes, days of the week and date in windows
Strap: brown Mississippiensis alligator leather, white gold pin buckle
Limited Edition of Five