Vacheron Constantin Unveils Five New Novelties at SIHH 2014
Vacheron Constantin hit it out of the park at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. The manufacture unveiled five new novelties at SIHH 2014. Here’s a look:
Malte Novelties
Vacheron Constantin has added four new models to the Malte collection: an 18K white gold men’s model and three new pink or white gold mechanical watches dedicated to women.
The men’s version features hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock, and is stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. The Calibre 4400AS can be glimpsed through the transparent caseback. The black Mississipiensis alligator leather strap is secured by a white gold buckle shaped like a half Maltese Cross.
The ladies’ versions feature a bezel rimmed with a row of diamonds, with a sandblasted silver-toned dial or a face entirely paved with 370 round-cut diamonds. The strap is secured by a half Maltese Cross-shaped pin buckle that can be set with diamonds.
Metiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements
According to the manufacture this collection of four ladies’ models was inspired by ornamental beauties of the world drawn from the decorative arts of several cultures. Ten different master artisans took turns reinterpreting Ottoman architecture, Chinese embroidery, Indian manuscripts and French lacework. Each timepiece is equipped with a hand-engraved calibre echoing the dial ornamentation.
Patrimony Traditionnelle 14 Day Tourbillon Openworked
This timepiece combines a tourbillon (with an exceptional 14 day power reserve) with an openworking. The dial features four barrels stacked in pairs in the upper part of the movement, making it more ‘crowded’ than the lower part. Vacheron Constantin tamed these differences in volume by structuring its Calibre 2260 SQP in layers and thus creating a depth effect that the Manufacture has accentuated through an engraving motif specially designed to exalt the three- dimensional effect.
Metiers d’Art Mecaniques Ajournees
Based on the Calibre 4400 in-house movement, this sculptural work features finely arched openworked construction meant to evoke the large European railway stations from the golden age of the industrial revolution. It also features Grand Feu enamelling.
Malte Tourbillon Openworked
This piece features a tourbillon within an entirely openworked shaped calibre – all entirely developed and crafted within the Manufacture, and also bearing the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. According to the manufacture the conception, modelisation and design of this calibre took Vacheron Constantin’s masters of their craft over 500 hours to achieve the perfect balance between a fully functional tourbillon mechanism and the transparent openworked aesthetic.
Photos courtesy Vacheron Constantin.
