Vacheron Constantin Métiers d?Art: The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac in the Year of the Rabbit
It’s a fine tradition in the world of haute horlogerie: every year, the colorful animal kingdom of the Chinese zodiac inspires a select circle of high-end manufactures to create artistic and fanciful métiers-d’art timepieces. In 2023, they have an enchanting template in the form of the hare, bringing the symbolic furry animal to life in a variety of forms on dials of the limited special editions.
Vacheron Constantin’s tribute to the Chinese culture, the Métiers d?Art the Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rabbit comes in a 40mm platinum or pink gold case and combines excellent craftsmanship with the mechanical digital indications of the self-winding manufacture caliber 2460 G4. Hours, minutes, the weekday, and the date are displayed through four windows on the periphery of the dial.
It goes without saying that the rabbit takes center stage on the highly artistic dial. Crafted from pink gold or titanium, it is brought to life by Vacheron Constantin’s master engravers. The proud animal poses in front of a flower motif which is based on classic Chinese iconography and etched directly in the metal.
The pattern remains semi-embedded and stands out from its gold base by a subtle stage-setting of variously accentuating reliefs creating a depth effect. This makes the flowers and leaves appear to be floating above the background of the dial.
This whimsical oeuvre is completed by sophisticated Grand Feu enamelling...
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