On the occasion of its European Artistic Crafts Days 2016, Vacheron Constantin is unveiling its new men’s line, Métiers d’Art Élégance Sartoriale, a new collection which celebrates sartorialism in a new masculine line bearing the Hallmark of Geneva.
Through a unique association of crafts, Vacheron Constantin reproduces on the dials an authentic colour chart of fabrics stemming from the masculine wardrobe.
A hand-guilloché decor picking up classic woven motifs occupies a moon crescent-shaped space which is coated with translucent Grand Feu enamel in various colours.
The hours and minutes are displayed on a subdial rimmed with mother-of-pearl, a nod to shirt buttons.
We list below the five models, all of them housed in a gold (white or pink) 40 mm case.
Reference 1400U/000G-B215 – Prince of Wales check pattern
Hand-guilloché "Prince of Wales check" pattern under raspberry red-coloured translucent Grand Feu enamel. Champagne-coloured tapestry gold dial at 3 o’clock, hour circle in mother-of-pearl, black painted Roman numerals. White gold case. Red strap.
Reference 1400U/000R-B159 – Herringbone pattern
Hand-guilloché "herringbone" pattern under lavender-coloured translucent Grand Feu enamel. Champagne-coloured tapestry gold dial at 3 o’clock, hour circle in mother-of-pearl, black painted Roman numerals. Pink gold case. Dark brown strap.
Reference 1400U/000R-B216 – Windowpane pattern
Hand-guilloché "windowpane" pattern under warm grey translucent Grand Feu enamel. Champagne-coloured tapestry gold dial at 3 o’clock, hour circle in mother-of-pearl, black painted Roman numerals. Pink gold case. Light brown strap.
Reference 1400U/000R-B217 – Pin Stripes pattern
Hand-guilloché "pin stripes" pattern under linen-coloured translucent Grand Feu enamel. Champagne-coloured tapestry gold dial at 3 o’clock, hour circle in mother-of-pearl, black painted Roman numerals. Pink gold case. Dark brown strap.
Reference 1400U/000G-B218 – Tartan pattern
Hand-guilloché "tartan" pattern under royal blue translucent Grand Feu enamel. Champagne-coloured tapestry gold dial at 3 o’clock, hour circle in mother-of-pearl, black painted Roman numerals. White gold case. Black strap.
The polished case-back leaves room for a personalised engraving. Only an offset circular opening on the case-back provides a glimpse of the movement.
The five models are powered by the mechanical hand-wound Calibre 1400 movement, in house developed and produced by the Manufacture. With its 98 components and its 20 jewels, this 20.65 mm thick movement beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) has an almost 40-hour power reserve. The finishing is hand-crafted according to the criteria governing the Hallmark of Geneva; the flat surfaces are adorned with Côtes de Genève, the sharp edges are chamfered and hand-polished, as are the flat-headed screws.
The alligator leather straps are crafted in keeping with the hand-sewn, saddle-finish tradition and with their carefully chosen colours are perfectly in line with the sartorialism of the watch. To accompany this collection, Vacheron Constantin also introduces a pair of cufflinks picking up the subdial tapestry motif.
Each Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Élégance Sartoriale model has a price of around Euro 58,600 / US$ 56,000. vacheron-constantin.com