Métiers d'Art Dove by Vacheron Constantin at SIHH 2012
At the annual Salon Haute Horlogerie SIHH 2012 the Swiss company Vacheron Constantin has unveiled three new models in a series of Métiers d'Art - Les Univers Infinis, which fully reflected the fundamental connection of the watch house with art.
The Métiers d'Art watch - a vivid example of the harmonious combination of graphic art and decorative techniques: for finishing dials 4 methods of treatment are used - enameling, guilloche, engraving and inlay.
Each new model of Métiers d'Art is an original perspective on the time concept.
In the new watch «Métiers d'Art - Les Univers Infinis», presented at the exhibition, the strict mathematics is combined with a refined aesthetic. To create it the masters of art are inspired by the Dutch artist Maurits Cornelis Escher, the mosaic paintings of which are based on the perception of the game. The watch dials, made with the use of technology "regular mosaic" (tiling of the surface by regular polygons), are represented an organic combination of geometrical shapes with exaggerated symbolism and dynamic.
In creating the Métiers d'Art Dove watch the accent was put on exploring of tones, because the harmony of all composition parts is achieved thanks to the "consonance" of different colors shades. Extraordinary visual design with the original color decisions are emotionally saturated and traditional crafts to finish watch allows to look with fresh sign at the painting and mosaic and to achieve a stunning and fascinating results.
The inspiration for the creation of this model, as already noted was the picture of Maurits Cornelis Escher: on the watch dial with decorative mosaic patterns are shown flying pigeons. To create such an unusual watch dial was used by a number of traditional crafts from the world of fine watchmaking - engraving, miniature painting technique on enamel, inlaid with precious stones and guilloche. To obtain a multi-level dial is carried out tremendous work. The engraver begins it: he reproduces the contours of the pigeons on the dial with yellow gold, and then etches the image. The final upshot depends on the accuracy of the engraver, as self-reproducing symmetry composition should not contain a single fault. Once the contours of the image outlines, the process of enameling technique in shampleve begins. Enamel works with an infinite set of hues and tones, which are formed by combining enamel with oxide pigments, of which, in turn, there are various combinations. Clever combination of colors after firing in the kiln fused in rich purple hues. After this the figures of pigeons are covered with transparent enamel. For the decoration of white birds the transparent matte composition is used, under which you can see the exquisite engraving, creating a sense of visual depth. After the end of enameling, the process of inlay begins. Diamonds, which multicolored lights emphasize the grace of bird flight, are used for decoration of pigeons. The final stage of hard work is guilloche. With the establishment of the reliefs on the surface of the dial increases the visual depth created by the composition. As a "frame" for a masterpiece of fine art the case of white gold serves. The wrist watch with both sides is protected by a strong sapphire glass. Through the transparent case back the fans of mechanics can view the work of artfully decorated mechanism with polished facets, hand sanding, fine platinum surface, bridges with Côtes de Genève pattern and the rotor with braided guilloche. The watch is collected based on the automatic mechanism 2460, designed and assembled by masters of Vacheron Constantin. Reliable caliber with a magnificent hand-decorated finishing is carried out in accordance with the traditions of Haute Horlogerie and marked with the quality of established canton of Geneva - Poinçon de Genève.
To buy the Métiers d'Art Dove watch is available through authorized dealers.
