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In the Year of the Monkey with Vacheron Constantin

3 mins read

by Amileen

monkey-watch-1On February 8th, 2016, the Chinese Lunar Calendar will mark the beginning of the New Year of the Monkey. The luxury Swiss manufacture of prestige watches, Vacheron Constantin, which has been cultivating special ties with China since 1845, is ready. The Watch maker has been pursuing its dialogue with collectors and passionate devotees of Haute Horlogerie, and has enriched its Métiers d’Art La légende du zodiaque chinois series with the sign of the monkey. The latter will take over from that of the goat on February 8th 2016. Bearing the Hallmark of Geneva, these two new creations, realised in twelve models each, combine the technical excellence of Caliber 2460 G4 with the beauty of artistic crafts.

Métiers d’Art La légende du zodiaque chinois – Monkey

The ancient Chinese paper-cutting technique known as Jianzhi is a popular art echoed in Swiss culture through its famous Scherenschnitt paper-cutting. This artistic approach, highlighted in the Métiers d’Art La légende du zodiaque chinois, has been given a fresh interpretation by the master engravers and enamellers. The foliage motif appearing on the dial and based on classic Chinese iconography is etched directly in the metal. The pattern remains semi-embedded and stands out from its gold base by a subtle stage-setting of variously accentuating reliefs creating a depth effect. This makes the vegetation appear to be floating over the dial.

monkey-watch-2

Then comes the stage of Grand Feu enamelling, a technique invented in Geneva and the preserve of a very few monkey-watch-3particularly skilled artisans. Achieving the mastery of colour and firing at temperatures between 800 and 900 degrees Celsius calls for an expertise that can only be acquired over long years of experience. The monkey, made of platinum or gold, is hand engraved and delicately applied to the dial centre.

Artistic Expression

Caliber 2460 G4 makes it possible to create a distinctive and ideal stage-setting for the decorative arts, by giving the central dial motif a starring role. The hands-free time display is achieved through four apertures showing the hours, minutes, days and dates. These indications – the first two of the dragging variety and the last two of the jumping type. Clearly visible through the sapphire crystal back of the platinum or pink gold case, the 22-carat oscillating weight is adorned with a recurrent Maltese Cross pattern. All movement components are finely finished in accordance with the criteria of the Hallmark of Geneva, a quality label of which Vacheron Constantin is the most faithful representative.

Technical Data

Métiers d’Art The legend of the Chinese zodiac 2016, year of the monkey References : 86073/000P-8972 – Platinum; 86073/000R-8971 – 18K 5N pink gold Hallmark of Geneva certified timepieces

Pieces only available through the Vacheron Constantin Boutiques

Caliber-2460 G4

monkey-watch-4Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, self-winding
31 mm (11’’’¼) diameter, 6.05 mm thick
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve; 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
237 components; 27 jewels
Indications – Hours, minutes, day of the week and date in apertures Case – Platinum/18K 5N pink gold; 40 mm diameter, 12.74 mm thick Transparent sapphire crystal caseback

Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3bar (approx.30 meters) Dial – 18K gold, hand-engraved and Grand Feu enamelled

Hand-engraved platinum/18K 5N gold monkey Strap-Dark blue/brown Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales

Clasp – Platinum/18K 5N pink gold folding clasp; Polished half Maltese cross-shaped

Accessories Delivered with a corrector pen, a magnifying glass and a dedicated brochure to better showcase the craftsmanship and the technicality behind these creations Limited series of 12 pieces per reference “2016” engraved on the back of each timepiece

Availability: The Vacheron Constantin Boutique, DLF Emporio, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi & Dia Store- Taj Mahal Palace, Apollo Bunder, Mumbai

Tags : Vacheron Constantin, Year of the Monkey, Haute Horlogerie, DLF Emporio, Dia Store

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