Vacheron Constantin - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX Hong Kong Saturday, November 23, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin
    Year: 2008
    Reference No: 86070/000J-9294
    Movement No: 5’149’121
    Case No: 1’144’009
    Model Name: Métiers d'Art “Les Masques”, Chinese Qidan
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2460, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Vacheron Constantin deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin Certificate of Authenticity dated 22nd April 2008, Certificate of Origin, service booklet, chronometer certificate dated 3rd June 2007, hang-tags.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch is part of the first series created in the inaugural year of the Métiers d'Art “Les Masques” collection. It features a miniature replica of a mysterious mask from the imperial Chinese Liao Dynasty (907-1125). The Qidan, also known as Khitan, were an ethnic group who inhabited the vast grasslands of North China over 1,000 years ago. Little is known about their lifestyle, but discovered artifacts have begun to shed light on their culture.

    Funerary masks are well-documented in many ancient cultures, including those of ancient Egypt and Greece, often associated with ideas of life after death. During the Liao Dynasty, it was customary for the Qidan tribe to place metal masks, along with other metal body attire before burial. These rare gilt bronze or gold masks were reserved for elites or high-ranking individuals of the Qidan tribe.

    Copied from a life-sized original in the museum, the tiny Chinese Qidan mask appears to float on the sapphire crystal dial, incorporating traditional decorative techniques hand-applied by master craftsmen. The micro-masks were all hand-engraved in gold and delicately colored to reproduce the originals as faithfully as possible, preserving their original portraits and respecting their ceremonial uses.

    On the smoky dial surface, four symmetrical apertures display the hours, minutes, day, and date, without obstructing the view of the mask, thanks to the remarkable caliber 2460. The mask is encircled by gold letters, which can only be read when light strikes them at certain angles. These prose poems, specific to each mask, were written by French author Michel Butor and are sprayed onto the sapphire crystal dials in a spiral that seemingly has no beginning or end.

    Loosely translated, the poem reads,

    "La lumière s’est concentrée dans l’or où je ferme les yeux je vois à travers mes paupières le sommeil de mes descendants je me glisserai dans leurs rêves pour leur donner de mes nouvelles et leur éclairer les impasses où les guette l’adversité"

    (The light has concentrated in the gold where I close my eyes I see through my eyelids the sleep of my descendants I will slip into their dreams to give them my news and enlighten them to the dead ends where adversity awaits them.)

  • Artist Biography

    Vacheron Constantin

    Swiss • 1755

    The 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.

    View More Works

Σ965

Ref. 86070/000J-9294
An impressive and extremely rare limited edition yellow gold wristwatch with semi-transparent sapphire dial, day, date and yellow gold hand-engraved micro sculpture of a Chinese Qidan antique mask from the Barbier-Muller Museum and certificate, one of a limited edition of 25 pieces

2008
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$320,000 - 500,000 
€37,500-58,500
$41,000-64,100

Sold for HK$698,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2030
WatchesHK@phillips.com
 

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com
 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX

Hong Kong Auction 23 - 24 November 2024