The Gentleman Magazine Issue 12 | December 2018 | Page 7

Vacheron Constantin has just unveiled an exclusive assortment
of one-of-a-kind models created by its Les Cabinotiers
department. The power of the majestic wild animals adorning
the dials and cases reflects thepotency the stunning work
involved in associating the watchmaking expertise of Grand
Complications with the mastery of Artistic Crafts. The strength
of a bird of prey or a reptile, and the panache of a feline,
convey the values of the Maison: tradition and innovation,
craftsmanship, hand finishing, extreme care for details, as
well as elegance. Through this eloquent mode of expression in
which it excels, Vacheron Constantin reinterprets each animal
family, from savannah to jungle, earth to sky, myth to reality. A
universe that will naturally inspire the bespoke orders that are
the essence of Les Cabinotiers.
Les Cabinotiers stands for one-of-a-kind bespoke technical,
aesthetic and artistic challenges.
Across three centuries, Vacheron Constantin has been
perpetuating the tradition of “Les Cabinotiers”, the name given
to the prestigious and cultivated watchmakers who exercised
their art in light-filled workshops located on the top floors
of Geneva buildings. Exceptional bespoke timepieces were
devised at the time, brimming with a rare degree of technical
and aesthetic complexity, inspired by astronomy, science and
art.
Today, Vacheron Constantin continues to take up these highly
technical and incredibly creative challenges through offering
its customers one-of-a-kind models, as well as specially
commissioned bespoke watches. Engineers, designers, master
watchmakers and artisans combine their imagination, their
expertise and their passion in giving life to this embodiment
of horological expertise and extreme refinement. Humming to
the beat of a minute repeater or an armillary tourbillon, and
embellished with enamelling and engraving, “Mécaniques
Sauvages” spring to vibrant life, gaze sharpened and instinct
heightened, ready to leap into action.
LES CABINOTIERS 2755: the strength of a bird of prey springs
to life through engraving
Horological expertise takes the form of seven complications,
including a rare type of minute repeater equipped with a
centripetal system enabling both effective sound diffusion
and a 55-hour power reserve. Intaglio fine line and pounced
ornament engraving techniques bring depth and light to this
creation. Mastering these techniques requires at least ten
years of experience. They vividly highlight the determination,
courage and strength of the eagle, whose visual acuity is
reproduced in its piercing gaze.
LES CABINOTIERS ARMILLARY TOURBILLON: Six patents
for an exceptional technological innovation, teamed with the
instinct of a three-dimensional reptile
Six patents have been filed for this exceptional timepiece
equipped with a double retrograde armillary tourbillon, derived
from the Reference 57260 watch with its 57 complications.
High-tech materials such as silicon for the pallet-lever and
escape-wheel, as well as aluminium for the tourbillon carriage,
further enhance the precision and durability of this timepiece
and lend a light touch. The patience of the engraving artisans
and their love of fine workmanship are clearly apparent in the
engraving work on the snake surrounding the caseband.
The Maison’s signature hand finishes have served to craft
the model, highlighting the matt and brilliant surfaces
punctuating the dial, giving life to the scales of the animal. The
art of suggestion is extremely subtle, since the precision of the
visible portion enables the observer to imagine the reptile in
its entirety.
LES CABINOTIERS 14-DAY TOURBILLON LION: Feline
panache and the flamboyance of Grand Feu enamel
In this majestic model, the harmonious centrally aligned
dial composition echoes the serenity radiating from the lion
calmly surveying his surroundings. The fine strokes enable a
realistic portrayal of the scene. The horological power of this
model – featuring a Maltese cross-shaped tourbillon as well
as a 14-day power reserve – evokes that of the noble beast it
depicts, by conveying a sense of both strength and endurance.
This technical combination is matched by a particularly tricky
combination of skills: the case is engraved, while the dial is
coated with grisaille enamel. This technique consists in coating
the gold plate with a uniform dark brown layer and, after firing
in the kiln, in applying an extremely rare type of white Grand
Feu enamel known as “Blanc de Limoges”, in order to endow
the material with subtle shades of grey, brown and white, as
well as creating shading effects. The spectacular work of the
master enameller is a fascinating invitation to contemplate this
masterly animal.
LES CABINOTIERS MYSTERIOUS ANIMALS: Fine line
engraving on an inventive dial depicting a tiger in the wild
This exotic and inventive expression of time is equipped with
a 2460 G4 calibre driving four displays appearing through
four apertures. The hours, minutes, day and date are arranged
around the dial periphery so as to give pride of place to
Artistic Crafts. Jungle animals lend themselves to this daring
composition, with a tiger emerging from a bamboo forest and
appearing at the centre of the dial that is entirely hand-engraved
with an infinite sense of detail. The ancestral technique of fine
line engraving requires at least five years of experience to
master its incredible finesse, with this intaglio-type sculpting
of the material highlighting every strikingly realistic detail.
The animal merges naturally into the surrounding plantlife
of the jungle decor. This creation stages a remarkable balance
between the strength of these divine messengers – whether
symbolising family protection or happiness – and the foliage
through which it roams wild and free.
LES CABINOTIERS GRISAILLE: A falcon to tame time
The power and grace of the falcon, king of birds, inspired the
decoration in Grand Feu grisaille enamel “Blanc de Limoges”
adorning the dials of this extraordinary model. Expertise
and rigorous discipline are once again the watchwords in
mastering this art, since firing between 800° and 900°C proves
extremely delicate given the risk of burning the dial. The deft
touch of the master enameller endows this animal with visually
striking bearing, posture and expression. The effect is even
more apparent on these more sharply defined black and white
dials crafted using his expertise. This model is driven by an
extremely reliable self-winding movement, equipped with a
stop-seconds device bringing the seconds hand to a halt so as
to enable more accurate adjustment, as well as enjoying greater
longevity thanks to the ceramic ball bearings on the oscillating
weight.
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