1043Σ︎
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 33580/000G-B008
Métiers d'Art Fabuleux Ornements Indian Manuscript
A highly rare and intricate limited edition white gold skeletonized wristwatch with grand feu champlevé enamel Indian manuscripts dial, diamond-set bezel, guarantee and presentation box, numbered 14 of a limited edition of 20 pieces
Full-Cataloguing
- Limited to 20 pieces only
- Fresh to the market and debut at auction
- Grand feu champlevé enamel of Indian Manuscript
- Part of the Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements collection in 2015
Sought to fuse the fine craftsmanship of watchmaking and jewellery design, Vacheron Constantin debuted the Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements collection in 2015. Exclusive and produced in limited quantities, the collection celebrates the ornamental traditions of different cultures drawn from decorative arts around the world through four models: Ottoman architecture, Chinese embroidery, Indian manuscripts, and French lacework. Each limited to just 20 pieces and bearing the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, these watches feature the house’s ultra-thin hand-engraved manual Calibre 1003 SQ.
The Indian Manuscript variant was produced in both 18K pink and white gold, and stands out for its vibrant reinterpretation of the illuminated margins found in ancient Indian and oriental manuscripts. Framed by a 37mm case set with 64 round-cut diamonds on the bezel, the dial presents a striking tableau of vibrant enamel colours. These intense hues form oriental-inspired flowers that appear to bloom against a rich, deep violet sky surrounding the off centre open-worked movement. The master enameller employed the grand feu champlevé technique, first by carving cavities into the gold dial plate and leaving thin gold partitions to hold the enamel. Applying and firing successive colours demanded exceptional skill, as each firing risked cracking or distorting the previous layers.
After the enamelling process, the foliage and floral outlines were meticulously hand-engraved. Numbered 14 from the limited edition of 20, the well-preserved present example is fresh to the market and the first to appear at auction.
Vacheron Constantin
Swiss | 1755The world's oldest watch brand in continuous operation since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin was the first watch company to manufacture movements with interchangeable parts beginning in 1839. Vacheron's watches are admired for their Latin-influenced case designs, well-balanced proportions and exquisitely finished movements of the highest quality. The Geneva-based manufacturer is known for their highly complicated masterpieces, including the King Farouk Grand Complication made in 1935, the Tour de l'Ile that was the most complicated serially produced wristwatch when introduced in 2005 and the 57260 — the world’s most complicated watch — made in 2015.
Key vintage models include minute repeating wristwatches such as the references 4261, chronographs such as the references 4178 and 6087 and the oversized Cioccolotone models such as ref. 4737. Collectors also appreciate Vacheron's Chronometer Royal pocket and wristwatches, as well as the '222,' the brand's first luxury sports watch produced from 1977 through 1984.