SIHH 2014: Vacheron Constantin’s Skeletonized Masterpieces

Vacheron Constantin demonstrated, among many other talents, the art of skeletonization throughout its collections at this year’s SIHH. The new pieces in the Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-day Tourbillon Openworked, Méchanique Ajourées, Metiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements and Malte Tourbillon Openworked collections all featured intricately decorated skeletonized movements. In general, the endeavor is a tribute to the early openworked pocket watches made by Jean-Marc Vacheron, with other influences. For example, the engraving on the Caliber 4400SQ of the Méchanique Ajourées watches is inspired by the openworked architecture of 19th century railway stations. Caliber 2260SQ, in the Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-day Tourbillon Openworked was inspired by the arches and quatrefoils of Venetian architecture. And the Caliber 1003 of the Fabuleux Ornements collection is an ultra-thin manual wound movement (1.64mm thick) that is rendered in 18k gold. Decorating the movements of these watches required between 300 and 550 hours of work.