SIHH 2015: Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Mécaniques Gravées Collection


Vacheron Metiers d'Art thumb 150At SIHH in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin brought out two new additions to its Métiers d’Art family. Known as the Mécaniques Gravées collection, these watches apply meticulous hand-engraving procedures to in-house Vacheron calibers. There is a basic two-hand version and a tourbillon caliber, each with its own ornate designs.

Inside the first Mécaniques Gravées model (Ref. 1100A/000P-B026) is Vacheron Constantin’s manufacture Caliber 4400/1. The 4400 is a standard Vacheron base movement, used previously in the Patrimony Traditionnelle. It is a manual-wind caliber, beating at 28,800 vph. The 4400 by itself is 28.6 mm in diameter and 2.8 mm thick. It runs in 21 jewels and has 127 components in total. The power reserve is a sizable 65 hours.

But the real key feature of the watch is its engravings. Both the front and back sides of the caliber are hand engraved with an ornate pattern of acanthus leaves, drawing upon classical design motifs. The work is done by a master engraver, who takes more than 10 days to complete each movement. The Caliber 4400 is its normal thickness – no material has been added for the purpose of engraving – so the engraver has to work carefully to remove material from the copper plate. Using the champlevé technique, he cuts away at the movement, by 0.2 mm or less, in order to create a sense of depth in the relief. Some parts of the movement are less than 0.35 mm thick, so there is no room for error in the process. All plates and bridges receive this careful engraving.

Vacheron Metiers d'Art Soldier 560

This Mécaniques Gravées watch has a 39 mm case in 950 Platinum. It is 8.5 mm thick. Sapphire crystals on both the front and back allow a clear view of the engraving work. On the dial, white-gold hands point to the slate gray external ring that bears a transferred minutes track.

The watch is water resistant to 30 meters. It comes on a dark blue alligator strap with hand stitching and a saddle finish, and a buckle in platinum that makes use of the Vacheron Constantin Maltese cross shape. The watch bears the Geneva Seal.

Vacheron Metiers d'Art Movement 560
Vacheron Metiers d'Art Front Back 560

For the tourbillon version of the Mécaniques Gravées, see the following page.

The other new Métiers d’Art model also employs a familiar manufacture movement. Caliber 2260 has previously been found in Vacheron’s Patrimony Traditionnelle Tourbillon 14 Days. True to that model’s name, the 2260 has a 336-hour power reserve. It beats at 18,000 vph and is manually wound. It has 231 components, including 31 jewels.

Vacheron Metiers d'Art tourbillon soldier 560

The tourbillon version of the Mécaniques Gravées tells the hours and minutes with its white-gold hands. The tourbillon cage, at 6 o’clock, also shows the seconds. At 12 o’clock is a power-reserve indicator, which sweeps through a 280-degree arc. Its scale has gradations to mark each 12-hour period in the course of the 14 days between full wind and the depletion of its four mainspring barrels.

The dial has a sapphire crystal with special frosted zones encircling the tourbillon and power-reserve indicator. These zones make the scales for the indicator and for the small seconds more easily readable.

Like its sister, the tourbillon Mécaniques Gravées is cased in 950 platinum. The watch is 41 mm in diameter and 12.35 mm thick. Through the caseback you can see the two large bridges, both fully engraved with the acanthus pattern.

Vacheron Metiers d'Art CU 560
Vacheron Metiers d'Art Tourbillon Front Back 560

The tourbillon Mécaniques Gravées – officially known as Ref. 6000A/000P-B026 – is hallmarked with the Geneva Seal. It too comes on a dark blue alligator strap with a platinum buckle.

Both of the Mécaniques Gravées are sold exclusively through Vacheron boutiques. For the greater enjoyment of their hand-engraved designs, each watch comes with a magnifying glass.

 

Vacheron Metiers d'Art Tourbillon Movement 560

 

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  1. Debashish

    These Vacheron Constantin watches are simply awesome!
    Most of the people go gaga over Patek timepieces, but Vacheron Constantin creations are just as good if not better.

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