Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOVacheron Constantin’s master-artisans are quintessential artists endowed with the unique gift of stirring emotions. Through the creation of authentic artworks, their spirit of innovation and their exceptional skills have been perpetuated from generation to generation since
1755. This artistic mastery is fully expressed through the new
Métiers d’Art Copernicus celestial spheres 2460 RT collection.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOThe Manufacture has chosen the formal simplicity of a white gold case to set the scene for the astronomical world according to
Nicolas Copernicus. With its original display and spectacular decoration, this new collection presented at
SIHH 2017, pays tribute to one of humankind’s greatest discoveries: heliocentrism.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOThe Copernican revolution
Nicolas Copernicus was a mathematician and philosopher, who in
1543 published De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, a work heralding a major astronomical revolution in the history of science. His hypothesis challenged geocentrism, the cosmological system rooted in antiquity and defended by Aristotle and Ptolemy, which held that the Earth is immobile and located at the centre of the universe. In this book, Copernicus put forward the theory of heliocentrism, demonstrating not only that the Earth spins on its axis and has a satellite, the Moon, but above all that it gravitates around the Sun. Several decades later, this theory was to be completed by incorporating the elliptical trajectories of the heavenly bodies. This new vision of space had a considerable philosophical impact on the perception of humanity. It overturned all existing beliefs and ushered humankind from a closed world into an infinite universe. This revolution was to have profound repercussions on all fields of thought.
Vacheron Constantin pays homage to these emblematic discoveries that definitively changed the face of the world.
One dial, three different executions
The
Métiers d’Art Copernicus celestial spheres 2460 RTcollection testifies more eloquently than ever to the creativity of the
Vacheron Constantin master-artisans. They have dreamed up three dials with different interpretations of the same theme. The decoration is inspired by the graphic depictions of
Andreas Cellarius, a
17th century Dutch-German cartographer, author of the most important colourful sky map, Harmonia Macrocosmica, with its splendidly baroque style.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOThe dials of the collection comprise two distinct parts. The oval centre bears a Sun with a glowing hand-engraved pink gold face, while the outer disc is dedicated to three decorative craft variations.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOBetween the two, a tiny elliptical groove provides space to display orbit performed by the Earth.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOThe latter is represented by a tiny gold disc, slightly domed and measuring barely 6.8 mm diameter, featuring a polar view of the continents based on a Lambert conic map projection.
The art of Grand Feu enamel
The first model in this trio gives pride of place to various enamelling techniques. The enameller has drawn inspiration from the astronomical map of the Copernican system as drawn by
Andreas Cellarius.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO The champlevé Grand Feu enamel Earth reveals the blue of the oceans and the geography of the continents, an authentic technical feat when portrayed on such a scale. In the background, a map of the sky on a gold base is enamelled in pastel colours. It is punctuated by fine lines illustrating the orbit of the five planets shown.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOClick, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOEach of these heavenly bodies, represented by a star, is mentioned by its Latin name, as are the two solstices. The outer part of the dial bears the 12 zodiac signs in polychrome enamel. They are formed using stencils, finished with a quill pen and filled using a fine brush.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO This dial resulting from patient, meticulous and perilous craftsmanship required more than a month’s work and numerous firings until
850°C before being smoothed with an abrasive stone, lapped and polished. The very same operations that have for centuries contributed to the excellence of the Geneva watchmaking tradition.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOThe art of engraving
The second dial, graced with an even more baroque-inspired aesthetic, is hand-engraved. The 12 signs of the zodiac intertwine and overlap on a white gold disc.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOThe engraver has provided a wealth of ramolayé (pounced ornament) details, highlighting volumes in the material carved out by hand and lit up by the subtle interplay of slanting and depth effects.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOClick, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO The bulging muscles of Sagittarius or the flowing mane of Capricorn are outstandingly realistic when viewed under a magnifying glass.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOOn the Earth orbiting around a flaming gold Sun, the finesse of details has been pushed to extremes: the oceans are covered with microscope waves achieved by engraving effects, while the contrasting continents are polished to accentuate the luminosity of the gold. An expression of truly exceptional craftsmanship.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOLaser engraving meets hand-engraving on sapphire crystal
The third dial is adorned with decorative techniques involving several novel aspects. To accompany this dance of Earth and Sun, the zodiac signs are complemented by a
3D-effect star-studded sky.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOThe Earth is hand-engraved and picks up this contrast between the fine graining of the ocean waves and the brilliant glow of the continents. A hand-painted midnight blue underdial is overlaid with a transparent sapphire crystal engraved on its back.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOVacheron Constantin has used the innovative laser technique to sculpt the symbols. The engraver then works them over entirely by hand so as to accentuate the raised motifs and play with the opalescent effects of sapphire.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOClick, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOClick, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOOn the front, the constellations are laser-engraved and then highlighted with Super-Luminova®. The captivating sight of the sky chart echoing the immensity of the night sky is thus fully revealed in the semi-darkness.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
An original display embodying a technical feat
These
Hallmark of Geneva certified timepieces driven by a mechanical self-winding Manufacture-made movement,
calibre 2460 RT. Entirely designed, developed and created by
Vacheron Constantin in a three-year process, it provides the possibility of staging the fascinating view of the sky reproducing the heliocentric system.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO The time is displayed by two triangular peripheral hands in 4N gold – a cut-out one for the hours and a solid one for the minutes – that glide around the dial rim. These pointers are driven by large dedicated wheels positioned on the outer part of the calibre.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOThe elliptical path of the Earth around the Sun is a key highlight of this watch, exuding a powerful presence and providing continuous information as the days go by. The first complication takes the form of the Earth that spins on its axis in a 24-hour rotation period, corresponding to a mean solar day. The second complication achieved by means of a ‘tropical’ gear train is the Earth’s elliptical orbit around the Sun in
365.2421898 days, meaning one tropical year.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOAn extremely precise mechanism, since the device operating this realistic motion of the Earth requires a one-day correction only once in
8,000 years – an eternity! This degree of precision for such a complication is a means by which the Maison testifies to its commitment to developing new movements.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOA tour de force serving as a timely reminder that the Manufacture has consistently demonstrated this capacity for innovation in terms of analogue time display, guided by its mastery of horological engineering as well as its creative boldness cultivated across more than
260 years.
Well-mastered details
The gold oscillating weight appearing on the back of the watch and protected by a sapphire crystal features an engraving on the same theme: a radiant Sun surrounded by ellipses. This
352-part self-winding calibre has a
36–hour power reserve. The perfectly mastered finishing operations are entirely crafted by hand in accordance with traditional watchmaking methods.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOTwelve stylised zodiac signs are engraved around the rim of the
43 mm diameter bezel. To ensure optimal convenience, all functions – the hours, the minutes, as well as the two motions performed by the Earth – are adjusted via the crown. The three models are fitted with a Mississippiensis alligator leather strap secured by a gold buckle. They are delivered in a precious presentation wood box containing a magnifying glass providing a chance to admire in detail the finesse of the artistic work accomplished on these creations.
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TECHNICAL DATAMétiers d’Art Copernicus celestial spheres2460 RTReferences 7600U/000G-B212 (Grand Feu enamel)
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References 7600U/000G-B211 (Hand-engraving)
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References 7600U/000G-B226 (Sapphire)
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOHallmark of Geneva certified timepiecesOnly available in Vacheron Constantin BoutiquesMovement Manufacture Calibre 2460 RTDeveloped and manufactured by
Vacheron ConstantinMechanical, self-winding
37 mm (11’’’1/4) diameter
6.7 mm thick
Approximately 36 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
352 components
27 jewels
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOIndications - Hours and minutes indication by peripheral hands
- Earth orbit around the Sun and Earth rotation on itself
Case 18K White Gold
43 mm diameter, 12.9 mm thick
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Dial 18K 5N gold stamped sun
- B212: 22K gold, Grand Feu enamel, champlevé Grand Feu enamel Earth
- B211: 18K gold, hand-engraved dial and Earth
- B226: 18K gold, hand-painted dial (sky); laser engraving & hand-engraving on sapphire crystal (zodiac signs); laser engraving & Super-Luminova® (constellations); hand-engraved Earth
Strap Black Mississippiensis alligator leather with alligator leather inner shell,
hand-stitched, saddle-finish, large square scales
Buckle: 18K white gold buckle
Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Presentation box Luxury model
Accessory Delivered with a magnifying glass
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P.O. Box
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Plan-les-Ouates/Geneva
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