Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières – Tokyo
Vacheron Constantin expands its Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection with a new edition dedicated to Tokyo.
Introduced in 2017, the Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection by Vacheron Constantin invites us to a nocturnal journey above the world’s most prestigious cities. The striking dials of these timepieces, like authentic miniature tableaus, offer an original view of fascinating cities. The Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières watches beat to the rhythm of a mechanical Manufacture movement graced with refined finishing, in accordance with traditional Haute Horlogerie techniques.
After the first models dedicated to the nocturnal magic of Geneva, Paris, New York, and Beijing (all introduced in 2017), the Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection adds another metropolis: Tokyo.
On dials draped with an enamelled base in deep shades, a wide variety of powders creates a bird’s-eye view miniature tableau of these cities. To create this breathtaking view, the manufacture incorporates two traditional art crafts: the Grand Feu champlevé enamelling by Vacheron Constantin artisans) and the Japanese hand-applied precious powder technique, an art never yet used in Haute Horlogerie.
The unique, hand-applied precious powder technique has been used on a watch dial to which particles of gold, pearl, platinum and diamond powder are meticulously distilled one by one, endowing the enamel with exceptional radiance. The bright dots of light, placed with the greatest precision, compose a portrait of these broad and majestic urban landscapes. The light effects play across these strikingly realistic roads, rivers and famous landmarks.
Vacheron Constantin has depicted major cities through their nocturnal panorama. Individually applying precious powder particles naturally implies extreme dexterity, and doing so on the surface of a watch involves the additional constraint of defining an ideal altitude for each city so as to convey realistically the emotional impact of its urban outlines.
The miniature tableaus faithfully reproduce the real ‘light cartography’ of the cities, with their various sorts of light, such as variously animated districts and even traffic density. This incredibly meticulous work on the map of each city called for several weeks of research and trials on various base materials.
For each of the dials, the Vacheron Constantin Master enameller first examined the possibilities afforded by champlevé in order to highlight the shapes of the streets, gardens and stretches of water. After hollowing out the gold dial by hand according to the chosen outlines, he then applied successive layers of translucent coloured enamels. Between each coating, the dial is fired at the extremely high temperature of 850°C.
These crucial and delicate stages, masterfully guided by intuition and governed by stringent discipline acquired over time, enable the powdered glass mixed with colouring oxides to be melted, transformed and then vitrified by cooling – with the inevitable risk that the dial may crack or flaws may form. In the Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection, the master enameller has taken up the additional challenge of composing subtly translucent and dark shades in order to reproduce the singular night-time atmosphere.
Vacheron Constantin invited the Japanese artist Yoko Imai to associate her art with that of the enamelling artisan. Trained by the great Japanese masters, she has developed her own artistic technique: calligraphy inspired painting on canvas, inspired by precious powder. For Vacheron Constantin, she has adapted this process to the enamel of a watch dial, while creating a fascinating chiaroscuro effect. To ensure a faithful transcription of the city lights, her deft hands are guided by absolute mastery, unwavering concentration and a special sensitivity requiring a particular form of concentration and sensitivity.
The technique of applying precious powders borrows a fundamental principle from the art of calligraphy: the quest for balance and purity. Using a thin stylus, the powder particles are individually affixed using a technique that remains a jealously guarded secret. The luminous magic of the completed tableau depends on this extremely rigorous approach: each fragment is perfectly positioned in its rightful place and there is no room for anything random or superfluous.
Each of the powder specks is thus chosen according to its size and its shimmer, then worked on from several angles and with various types of light, so as to ensure enhanced radiance and realism. First of all, tiny gold grains form the luminous backdrop. Then diamond and platinum powder are successively applied to create shiny and dark effects, punctuated by pearl spangles. Their varying brightness makes it possible adjust the direction and size of the luminescent areas, in order to infuse the dial with life and warmth.
On the enamel base, between the raised gold ridges, tens of thousands of spangles shine in the light. The particles of precious powder, all of varying shades and degree of luminosity, interact both amongst themselves and with the dark shades of the Grand Feu enamelled background. The radiance of the composition is more intense in the dial centre and gradually softens towards the outer edges of the dial. Hand-crafted during more than three months and born from a mingling of artistic crafts, each dial is truly unique.
In this new creation, the lights of Tokyo make their stage entrance, lending precious sparkling accents to the translucent Grand Feu enamel dial base, featuring a darker shade for the city and a bluish hue for Tokyo Bay. Specks of gold highlight symbolic locations: the Ginza luxury shopping district, the iconic Tokyo Tower, the Kasumigaseki and Nagatcho political centre, the Rainbow Bridge, as well as the super-trendy Roppongi hotspot.
The timepieces of the Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection are certified by the Hallmark of Geneva, a sure token of precision and reliability issued by an entirely neutral and independent body. Manufacture Vacheron Constantin mechanical self-winding Caliber 2460 SC drives a display of the hours, minutes and seconds.
Visible through the transparent case-back, the 22 carats gold oscillating weight features a finely executed decoration inspired by the Maltese cross, the Vacheron Constantin signature emblem.
Each of the components, whether visible or hidden, is adorned with finishes crafted in accordance with the finest watchmaking skills exemplified by bevelling, circular-graining and polishing. Te movement is protected by a precious white gold case.
Technical details
Collection: Métiers d’Art – Villes Lumières
Featured model: Tokyo (Ref. 86222/000G-B106)
Other references
86222/000G-B101 – Geneva
86222/000G-B104 – Paris
86222/000G-B105 – New York
86222/000G-B107 – Beijing
Movement
Calibre 2460 SC
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, self-winding
26.2 mm (11¼’’’) diameter, 3.6 mm thick
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour)
182 components
27 jewels
Hallmark of Geneva certifed timepieces
Indications
Hours, minutes and center seconds
Case
18K white gold
40 mm diameter, 8.9 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
The name of the city is engraved on the back of the timepiece.
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial
18K gold dial with Grand Feu champlevé & translucent enamel and powder of precious stones (diamonds, pearl) & precious metal (gold, platinum) filled by hand
Strap
Black Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator inner shell, large square scales
Buckle: 18K white gold buckle; Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
