Swiss luxury watch brand Vacheron Constantin is celebrating the Year of the Dragon and its legend with two 25-piece limited editions from its Métiers d’Art The legend of the Chinese Zodiac series. Unveiled at Watches and Wonders Shanghai 2023, these new platinum and pink gold timepieces house the iconic Calibre 2460 G4.
It all began with the sign of the snake in 2012. After the Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, Rat, Ox, Tiger, and Rabbit editions released to mark the respective Chinese Zodiac new years, the Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese zodiac Collection now welcomes the year of the Dragon.
In Chinese culture, the dragon is said to be endowed with incredible virtues. As the Year of the Rabbit draws to a close, the fabulous dragon follows, majestically occupying the dial of the two New Year of the Dragon limited editions.
The two new Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese zodiac – Year of Dragon limited editions combine traditional decorative techniques like enamelling and engraving. The artisan first sculpts the gold dial to create a dreamlike decor of air flows and clouds, inspired by traditional Chinese artistic motifs.
The dragon stands out against this refined backdrop, also hand-engraved with an unparalleled sense of detail. Synonymous with knowledge, wisdom and abundance, the similarly hand-engraved pearl adds a spiritual dimension to the scene.
The Year of the Dragon watches are equipped with the in-house self-winding Calibre 2460 G4, which gives pride of place to the dial.
The hands-free watch face provides a unique indication of the passage of time through four apertures opening onto the trailing hours and minutes, as well as the jumping day-date displays.
Through the sapphire crystal caseback in 950 platinum or 18K 5N pink gold, Calibre 2460 G4 reveals the beauty of its finishing, starting with its 22K gold oscillating weight adorned with a motif inspired by Vacheron Constantin’s Maltese Cross emblem.
Each 25-piece limited edition features a different dial colour, achieved through the expertise of the enamelling artisan.
The 40 mm-diameter case in 950 platinum features a deep blue Grand Feu enamel dial matched with a blue Mississipiensis alligator leather strap. The likewise 40 mm pink gold version features a brown Grand Feu enamel dial of unalterable beauty, matched with a tone-on-tone Mississipiensis alligator leather strap.
Technical details
Model: Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The legend of the Chinese zodiac – Year of the Dragon
References
86073/000P-B982
86073/000R-B983
Movement
Calibre 2460 G4
Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Mechanical, self-winding
31 mm (11¼’’’) diameter, 6.05 mm thick
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour)
237 components
27 jewels
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepieces
Indications
Hours, minutes, day of the week and date in apertures
Case
950 platinum/18K 5N pink gold
40 mm diameter, 12.72 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 3bar (approx.30 meters)
Dial
18K gold, hand-engraved, Grand Feu enamelled
Hand-engraved 950 platinum/18K 5N pink gold dragon
Strap
Dark blue/brown Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator leather inner shell, hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales
Clasp
950 platinum/18K 5N pink gold folding clasp
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Accessories
Delivered with a corrector pen
Availability
Limited series of 25 pieces per reference
Pieces only available through the Vacheron Constantin Boutiques
