Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Snake
Vacheron’s skilled artisans depict the sixth animal of the Chinese Zodiac with impressive realism.
Coinciding with Watches & Wonders Shanghai, Vacheron Constantin gets a head start on the 2025 Chinese New Year and releases two limited editions celebrating the Year of the Snake. An annual tradition now for the past 12 years, the brand’s richly decorated Chinese Zodiac pieces not only pay homage to China’s cultural traditions but highlight the commercial ties of Vacheron Constantin and China from the mid-19th century when lavishly engraved and enamelled jewellery watches were favoured among dignitaries of the Court. Created in Vacheron’s Métiers d’Art atelier, the new models in platinum and pink gold cases showcase the brand’s refined artisanal techniques, combining hand-engraving and enamelling to create a lifelike depiction of a cobra.
The snake is the sixth animal in the Chinese Zodiac and will officially make its appearance on 29 January 2025. A symbol of wisdom associated with renewal and agility, the snake is a harbinger of luck and prosperity.
It takes almost three days for the master engraver to produce the lifelike cobra and the rock appliques in the centre of the dial. Entirely engraved by hand, the textures and relief are highlighted with miniature paint and patina. The surrounding scenery is entrusted to a master enameller. The light blue sky is made with gradient Grand Feu enamel that intensifies as it reaches the periphery. On the other hand, the foliage is created using an ancestral Geneva technique known as flux-coated miniature opaque enamel.
To ensure that nothing gets in the way of the richly decorated dial, the movement is designed to display the time and calendar functions with apertures instead of hands. There are four apertures with trailing indications for the hours and minutes at 11 and 1 o’clock and jumping indications for the day and date at 7 and 5 o’clock. A nice touch is how the colours selected for the apertures match those featured on the dial.
Powered by the in-house automatic calibre 2460 G4, the openworked 22k gold rotor features the signature Maltese cross, and the decorations are refined in keeping with the Hallmark of Geneva certification. Oscillating at 28,800vph/4Hz, the movement has a power reserve of 40 hours.
The Year of the Snake is presented on a brown or blue hand-stitched alligator strap and a platinum or pink gold folding clasp. Limited to 25 pieces in each metal, the watches are only available at Vacheron Constantin Boutiques. More details on vacheron-constantin.com.
