Introducing the Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Savoirs Enluminés, a 60-piece limited edition inspired by medieval illuminations.
Vacheron Constantin presents the Savoirs Enluminés, a 60-piece limited series inspired by illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages. The collection comprises three different watches, each distinguished by its inventive hour display and ultra-thin automatic caliber. The models are beautiful examples of decorative watchmaking, while the collection itself draws aesthetic inspiration from the Aberdeen Bestiary - an ancient Celtic manuscript full of miniaturized illuminations, which has been recovered from the Middle Ages. With this exclusive series, using the delicate craft of Grand Feu enamel, the house of Vacheron Constantin pays tribute to the transmission of knowledge. In addition to all its exceptional aesthetic features, it also features a unique patented mechanism for dragging hour display.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Savoirs Enluminés Altion
The Métiers d’Art Savoirs Enluminés collection includes three 20-piece limited edition watches, each decorated with an animal from the Aberdeen Bestiary. The manuscript is a compendium of beasts of the Middle Ages, where natural history and illustration of each beast are accompanied by a moral lesson. The creators of the Bestiary believed that the world itself was the Word of God, a world in which every living creature has its own special meaning. In regard to this, the first watch of the Savoirs Enluminés collection is dedicated to the “Altion”, a beautiful seabird linked to Water, which symbolizes serenity. The second model is the “Vultures”, which features two fowl back to back – a symbol of infinity and longevity, while the “Caper” is dedicated to the Earth, and it stands for exceptionally sound judgement.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Savoirs Enluminés Vultures
The original miniatures found in the Aberdeen Bestiary are painted on a gold background, combining illuminating and gliding techniques. The manuscript has passed through the hands of several master craftsmen, and each of them made a contribution to the final composition: “On a parchment prepared by hand, the copyist monks hand inscribed the body of the text, leaving space with indications regarding the application of the gilding and the illuminations intended to structure the body of the text. Following this, the gilder applied the gold leaf. Finally the illuminator created his miniature directly on the fine layer of gold including the sketch, mixing of natural pigments and colouring by layer – an art requiring both coordination and precision.”
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Savoirs Enluminés Caper
The models belonging to the Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art Savoirs Enluminés collection are rendered in 18-karat white gold, and housed in cushion-shaped case of 40 x 49.45mm. The transparent sapphire crystal case-back on each piece reveals the in-house caliber 1120 AT, which is a mechanical self-winding movement with dragging hours module. The ultra-thin caliber contributes to the slenderness of the case, which measures only 10.30mm in thickness. The 36-jewel movement beats at 19,800 vibrations per hour (2.75 Hz) and promises around 40 hours of power reserve.
The time is actually indicated by Arabic numerals that are mounted on satellite-wheels, as they move one after another along a 120° scale placed on the lower dial. The dial is made of two discs – the superimposed dial with a hand-textured champlevé gold base and Grand Feu miniature enameling, and the lower dial, with polished letters rendered in relief on a grained gold base. Each timepiece is delivered with a magnifying glass, a pair of gloves, and a special brochure that explains the craftsmanship behind these creations.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Savoirs Enluminés models are water resistant to 30 meters, and they are mounted on brown Mississippiensis alligator leather straps. Limited edition of 20 pieces of each model. The name of the inspiration model, as well as the individual number in the limited series “Nx/20” is engraved on the back of each timepiece. These watches are available exclusively at Vacheron Constantin boutiques.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Savoirs Enluminés reference numbers:
- 7000S/000G-B001 - Vultures
- 7000S/000G-B002 - Caper
- 7000S/000G-B003 - Altion
Author: Marina Milojevic Pinterest
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