Swiss luxury watch brand Vacheron Constantin has enhanced the prestigious Métiers d’Art collection by introducing four Tribute to Explorer Naturalists limited editions.
This exclusive series focuses on the scientific discoveries of the naturalists who travelled the world’s oceans aboard the English ship Beagle in the early 1830s.
Available in 18K pink or white gold cases measuring 41mm diameter, these masterpieces of engraving and miniature enamel house the iconic manufacture Calibre 1120 AT/1 with satellite wandering hours.
The new Tribute to Explorer Naturalists collection follows the footsteps of the iconic 1994 Mercator model – in homage to geographer Geraldus Mercator, but also the Métiers d’Art Tribute to Great Explorers series revealed in 2021, and the Métiers d’Art Aérostiers series in 2018 celebrating the conquest of the skies.
During their odyssey across the world’s oceans between 1831 and 1836, these scientific explorers richly documented their discoveries. Fabulous tropical plants with shiny foliage, colourful birds of paradise, butterflies in exotic colours, groves of flowering and fruit trees along with a fascinating array of wildlife were observed at every stop on this long voyage.
These discoveries gave rise to countless scientific, botanical and zoological engravings and drawings – some of which inspired Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists collection – composing a delicately illustrated, refined and colourful account.
Vacheron Constantin has opted to associate two crafts (engraving and enamelling) in making these new ten-piece limited editions. The distinct case profile featuring an extremely slim bezel and screw-topped lugs is inspired by the watches produced by Vacheron Constantin in the 1980s and 90s.
Métiers d’Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists, Cape Verde (January 1832)
Limited to ten pieces, this 41 mm white gold watch spotlights a two-part tableau. On the upper part of the dial, engraving and enamelling combine in tracing the majestic silhouette of the Beagle.
Viewed from its stern, the finely engraved gold ship with its billowing sails glides across a miniature-painted ocean.
The lower part displaying the hours and minutes is graced with a naturalist scene in which bouquets of flowers burst forth and blossom in the shade of luxuriant foliage, reproduced by the enamelling artisan with infinite finesse and a captivating play on colours.
The sapphire crystal case-back offers the view of Calibre 1120 AT/1. This model comes with a blue Mississipiensis alligator strap secured by a white gold 750/1000 folding buckle.
Métiers d’Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists, Straits of Magellan (1833/1834)
After several weeks at sea, the Beagle crossed the Strait of Magellan, discovered some 300 years earlier by the explorer whose name it bears. While the region was extremely remote, naturalists discovered abundant vegetation where palm leaves mingled with ferns, reproduced on the lower part of the dial.
The colours have been carefully worked by the enamelling artisan over the course of several kiln firings to ensure the best possible match with the shade of pink gold case.
The upper part of the dial is graced with a fine white gold engraving depicting the Beagle sailing on blue-enamelled waves.
The manufacture Calibre 1120 AT/1 is visible through the sapphire crystal case-back. This ten-piece limited edition comes with a blue Mississipiensis alligator strap secured by a pink gold folding buckle.
Métiers d’Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists, Tierra del Fuego (1833-1834)
On Tierra del Fuego, the archipelago at the southernmost tip of the South American continent, the naturalists travelling aboard the Beagle discovered enchanting flora and fauna.
Vacheron Constantin’s artisans drew inspiration from a number of period engravings to create a picture to be explored from every angle.
Housed in a 41 mm white gold case, the upper dial features an engraving depicting a 3D butterfly and two birds standing out against a background adorned with miniature paintings.
On the lower part of the dial, an ancient terrestrial map of Tierra del Fuego is reproduced in miniature enamel, along with a windrose as a nod to the world of travel. This model also features a sapphire crystal case-back for admiring the mechanical movement.
This ten-piece limited edition comes with a green Mississipiensis alligator strap secured by a white gold folding buckle.
Métiers d’Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists, Cape of Good Hope (May 1836)
Depicted on its way back to Europe, the Beagle skirts the African coast from the Cape of Good Hope. This legendary passage has been used by navigators since the late 15th century and can be seen on the miniature enamel maritime scene presented on the lower part of the dial.
A close look reveals every detail of the Beagle depicted in this extremely fine decoration. On the upper part of the dial, the combined talents of the engraver and enameller create a landscape resembling a Garden of Eden, just as the naturalists observed when they stopped off at the Cape of Good Hope.
The delicate plumage of the birds perched amid the foliage is matched by the languid silhouette of an iguana.
The 41 mm pink gold case houses the meticulous finished Calibre 1120 AT/1, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.
This ten-piece limited edition comes with a green Mississipiensis alligator strap secured by a pink gold folding buckle.
Calibre 1120 AT/1
To give free rein to the skills of its enamellers and engravers, Vacheron Constantin has once again opted for in-house Calibre 1120 AT/1. Extremely slender, this 5.45 mm-thick self-winding movement givies the gold case a streamlined silhouette measuring just 11.68 mm thick.
Concealed beneath the upper part of the dial, the hours wheel is equipped with three arms, each bearing four Arabic numerals in turn directed by a cam whose shape is inspired by the Manufacture’s Maltese cross emblem.
This ingenious and technical satellite module enables the wandering hours to sweep over the dial from top to bottom, along the fixed minutes track appearing over a 120° arc. In this way, the hours numerals travel across the dial adorned with artistic crafts, with their position indicating the minutes instead of a traditional hand.
This movement boasts traditional High Watchmaking decorations, such as the Côtes de Genève guilloché pattern swept over by the 22K gold oscillating weight adorned with a compass rose.
Technical details
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Tribute to Explorer Naturalists
Movement
Calibre 1120 AT/1
Developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, self-winding
22K gold oscillating weight with tapisserie decor
28 mm (12 ½ ‘’’ diameter), 5.45 mm thick
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
2.75 Hz (19,800 vibrations per hour)
205 components
36 jewels
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Indications
Dragging hours, minutes
Availability
Limited series of ten timepieces per reference
Models available exclusively through the Vacheron Constantin Boutiques
References 7500U/000G-B991 Cap-Vert – 1 and 7500U/000R-B992 Détroit de Magellan – 2
Case
18K white gold / 18K 4N pink gold
41mm diameter, 11.68 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial
18K white gold, two-level dial, Grand Feu miniature enamel
Hand-engraved 18K white gold applique
Strap
Dark blue Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales
Buckle 18K white gold / 18K 4N pink gold buckle
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
References 7500U/000G-B993, Terre de Feu – 1 and 7500U/000R-B994, Cap de Bonne-Espérance – 2
Case
18K white gold / 18K 4N pink gold
41mm diameter, 11.68 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3 bar (approx. 30 meters)
Dial
18K white gold, two-level dial, Grand Feu miniature enamel
Hand-engraved 18K white gold applique
Strap
Dark green Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales
Buckle 18K white gold / 18K 4N pink gold
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
