Introducing Vacheron Constantin Unveil Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial Zodiac Collection

Vacheron Constantin unveils the Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Celestial, a remarkable series of 12 limited editions, each celebrating a sign of the zodiac. Every dial is adorned with a hand-guilloché depiction of a zodiac sign and its corresponding constellation, brought to life by diamond-set stars. 

Housed in a refined 39 mm 18K white gold case and embellished with baguette-cut blue sapphires, these creations draw inspiration from a unique 2021 Les Cabinotiers piece the Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky Chart Leo Constellation Jewellery.

Why do the zodiac signs hold such an enduring place in both science and horology? While 88 constellations are officially recognized today, these 12 are unique: they lie along the ecliptic, the path the sun traces through the sky over the course of a year. Due to the Earth’s axial tilt and orbit, the sun appears to move through a different constellation each month, giving rise to the division of the year into twelve zodiac signs. This celestial framework helped ancient civilizations structure time and is one of the earliest foundations for the calendar year.

The 39 mm white gold case showcases a timeless, rounded design with a slim 10.7 mm profile. A transparent sapphire crystal caseback offers a full view of the intricate movement within, while water resistance is rated to 30 metres. 

Elevating the design further, a total of 96 baguette-cut blue sapphires (~3.87 carats) are set into the bezel, crown, lugs, and buckle requiring 27 hours of meticulous gem-setting.

The creation of each dial involves an elaborate eight-step process. It begins with an 18K 5N gold base, upon which the outlines of the zodiac and constellations are engraved. A sunburst finish is then applied, followed by opaline touches for the four ‘human’ signs. 

The hand-guilloché zodiac sign is engraved next, preceding the precise cutting of the tourbillon aperture. The dial is then coloured in blue before fine machining reveals a tracery of golden lines mapping the constellation. 

A protective varnish seals the dial before the final embellishments are added: transfer-printed tracks and logo, applied white gold indexes and the Maltese Cross emblem, and the setting of diamonds for the main stars.

Through the sapphire caseback, the watch reveals the remarkable Calibre 2160, Vacheron Constantin’s first self-winding tourbillon movement, recently seen in the Traditionnelle Tourbillon High Jewellery. Distinguished by its slender architecture, the ultra-thin movement measures just 5.65 mm in thickness and comprises 188 meticulously finished components. 

The 18K gold peripheral oscillating weight, adorned with a Clous de Paris hobnail guilloché pattern, contributes to the movement’s elegant design while reducing the watch’s overall thickness. Operating at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz), the movement boasts an impressive 80-hour power reserve. 

Each timepiece is paired with a dark blue alligator leather strap secured by an 18K white gold folding clasp set with 16 baguette-cut sapphires (~0.53 carats). 

These exclusive models are produced in limited quantities, with prices available upon request.

For more information, visit Vacheron Constantin official website.