Vacheron Constantin Dove Watch for Only Watch 2011

This truly one of a kind watch is inspired by a drawing by a Dutch graphic artist Maurits Cornelis Escher. The works of this artist are immediately recognizable by infinite loops and impossible constructions that are becoming real by clever twists of perception and perspective. Escher was a great master of tiling, the regular division of the plane. He was able to create symmetrical designs and tiles, multiply and repeat them through contrasts, opposites and color. This technique, known as tessellation or tiling, creates a pattern of figures that fill the plane with no overlaps and no gaps.

Vacheron Constantin Dove watch depicts white and red birds, based on one of the drawing in Escher's notebooks often referred to as “Twelve birds”. The dial shows the birds in flight, as a symbol of hope and love, captured in a jigsaw puzzle. The watch is born from the Métiers d’Art tradition, which represents the unique skill of master-craftsmen of Vacheron Constantin. The whole Métiers d’Art line of watches is an extraordinary realm that unites applied arts and creative horology. This unique piece was born in the synergy of engravers, enamellers, gamesters and guillochers, working together to create something such as valuable and exclusive as this watch.

The dial is made in white gold, delicately engraved and graced by champlevé enameling. Red birds are featured in translucide enameling; white birds in opalescent enameling and gold birds are made in hand-guilloché. A single bird is adorned with diamonds, featuring 40 brilliant-cut diamonds, whose total weight is around 0.08 carats.

The case is crafted in 18-carat white gold and features 40 millimeters in diameter. It beats to the cadence of Vacheron Constantin Calibre 2460, developed and manufactured in-house. Generously decorated, the movement bears the Poinçon de Genève (Geneva seal). Composed of 182 components and 27 jewels, it provides 40 hours of power reserve. This watch is suitable only for daily wear and water resistant to 30 meters. Mounted on black Mississippiensis alligator hand-stitched strap and fastened to the wrist by white gold buckle graced with polished half Maltese cross.