The Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Le Temps Divin Métiers d’Art Collection

Time is relative… Not all cultures conceptualize time in the same way. With their newest métiers d’art series, Les Cabinotiers Le Temps Divin (the divine time), Vacheron Constantin explores the perception of time through the prism of different cultures. Nine one-of-a-kind creations invite us to travel to Ancient Greece, Asia and Japan. This new lineup follows last year’s Les Cabinotiers Récits de Voyage Collect but with a new source of inspiration.

Asia: Four animals, wood marquetry and a tourbillon

For the chapter exploring Asian culture, Vacheron Constantin has chosen four sacred animals from Asian tradition to represent the seasons: the Azure Dragon for spring; the Vermilion Bird for summer; the White Tiger for autumn; and the Black Tortoise for winter. Presented in 42mm white or pink gold cases, these unique pieces are powered by the ultra-thin automatic calibre 2160 with a peripheral rotor. Their wood marquetry dials are graced by the ballet of the tourbillon at 6 o’clock.

Ode to the Four Guardians “Azure Dragon” Tourbillon – reference 6040C/000G-153C – 42mm x 11.40mm white gold case – sapphire caseback – automatic calibre 2160 – 2.5Hz – 80-hour power reserve – hours, minutes, tourbillon, small seconds on the tourbillon – wood marquetry dial – alligator leather strap and gold folding buckle

Ode to the Four Guardians “Vermilion Bird” Tourbillon – reference 6040C/000R-152C – 42mm x 11.40mm pink gold case – sapphire caseback – automatic calibre 2160 – 2.5Hz – 80-hour power reserve – hours, minutes, tourbillon, small seconds on the tourbillon – wood marquetry dial – alligator leather strap and gold folding buckle

Ode to the four Guardians “White Tiger” Tourbillon – reference 6040C/000R-155C – 42mm x 11.40mm pink gold case – sapphire caseback – automatic calibre 2160 – 2.5Hz – 80-hour power reserve – hours, minutes, tourbillon, small seconds on the tourbillon – wood marquetry dial – alligator leather strap and gold folding buckle

Ode to the Four Guardians “Black Tortoise” Tourbillon – reference 6040C/000G-157C – 42mm x 11.40mm white gold case – sapphire case back – automatic calibre 2160 – 2.5Hz – 80-hour power reserve – hours, minutes, tourbillon, small seconds on the tourbillon – wood marquetry dial – alligator leather strap and gold folding buckle

Greek Mythology: engraving and armillary tourbillon

Among the most spectacular features of these two unique pieces inspired by the Greek God Chronos is, without a doubt, their calibre 1990. Providing a fascinating representation of the passage of time, it features a double retrograde time display and is regulated by a bi-axial tourbillon with a spherical hairspring. Rotating under a sapphire dome, the tourbillon owes its “Armillary” name to its construction based on an armillary sphere like the one incorporated in an astronomic clock made by clockmaker Antide Janvier in the 18th century. One version of the movement has an anthracite colour and is decorated with hand-guilloché clous de Paris, while the other is blue with a hand-guilloché geometric pattern. The engraving on the 45mm gold cases is inspired by ancient Greek friezes.

Ode to “Chronos” Armillary Tourbillon – reference 9890C/000R-202C – 45mm x 20.10mm engraved pink gold case – sapphire caseback – manual calibre 1990 – 2.5Hz – 60-hour power reserve – retrograde hours and minutes, armillary tourbillon, small seconds on the tourbillon – satin finished gold dial – alligator leather strap and gold folding buckle

Ode to “Infinite Time” Armillary Tourbillon – reference 9890C/000G-151C – 45mm x 20.10mm engraved pink gold case – sapphire caseback – manual calibre 1990 – 2.5Hz – 60-hour power reserve – retrograde hours and minutes, armillary tourbillon, small seconds on the tourbillon – satin finished gold dial – alligator leather strap and gold folding buckle.

Japan: time-only and artistic crafts

Combining the arts of engraving, enamelling and miniature painting, these three unique pieces represent divinities of Shintoism: Izinagi, Konohanasakuya-hime and Amaterasu. The 36mm models Ode to Konohanasakuya-hime and Ode to Amaterasu are powered by the automatic calibre 1440. The 40mm Ode to Izanagi has a white gold case with an officer caseback revealing the automatic 2460 calibre. 

Ode to Izanagi – reference 2400C/000G-160C – 40mm x 9.40mm white gold case  – officer caseback – automatic calibre 2460 – 4Hz – 40-hour power reserve – hours and minutes – 18K gold dial, hand-engraved and hand-enamelled Grand Feu miniature painting, representing Izanagi – alligator leather strap and gold pin buckle

Ode to Konohanasakuya-hime – reference 1420C/000G-162C – 36mm x 8mm white gold case – sapphire caseback – automatic calibre 1440 – 4Hz – 42-hour power reserve – hours and minutes – 18K gold dial, hand-engraved and hand-enamelled Grand Feu miniature painting, representing Konohanasakuya-hime – satin strap and gold pin buckle

Ode to Amaterasu – reference 1420C/000J-161C – 36mm x 8mm 2N yellow gold case – sapphire caseback – automatic calibre 1440 – 4Hz – 42-hour power reserve – hours and minutes – 18K gold dial, hand-engraved and hand-enamelled Grand Feu miniature painting, representing Amaterasu – satin strap and gold pin buckle

The retail prices are not communicated but are “available on demand”. For more information, please visit www.vacheron-constantin.com.