Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Florilège: Floral beauties

by
Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art Florilège collection, launched in 2013. Shown above is the White Lily watch. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie January 2013.

Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art Florilège collection, launched in 2013. Shown above is the White Lily watch. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie January 2013.

Vacheron Constantin’s Constantin’s Métiers d’Art Florilège collection launched in 2013 takes its inspiration from floral illustrations and paintings found in Robert John Thornton’s The Temple of Flora.

Said to be published in 1799, The Temple of Flora comprises 90 plates and three floral paintings have been chosen by Vacheron Constantin for its Métiers d’Art Florilège collection: the China Limodoron, white lily and Queen (the strelitzia plant). All three versions are made with ladies in mind.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Florilège China Limodoron watch. The China Limodoron is a symbol of wealth and refinement. Bezel set with 85 round-cut diamonds of approximately 1.1 carats, limited to 20 pieces. © TANG Portfolio. Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie January 2013.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Florilège China Limodoron watch. The China Limodoron is a symbol of wealth and refinement. Bezel set with 85 round-cut diamonds of approximately 1.1 carats, limited to 20 pieces. © TANG Portfolio. Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie January 2013.

These floral prints which were recreated artistically on a watch, most noticeably on the dial, employed the crafts of enamelling, guillochage and gemsetting.

“We though it would be nice to create something typically feminine for ladies. Hand guilloché was used for the flowers and combined with the enamelling, the result was a translucent, shimmering effect,” says Christian Selmoni, artistic director, Vacheron Constantin.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Florilège Queen watch (strelitzia plant). Limited to 20 pieces. Photo: © TANG Portfolio Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie January 2013.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Florilège Queen watch (strelitzia plant). Limited to 20 pieces. Photo: © TANG Portfolio Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie January 2013.

 

 

The floral engravings were created in-house by Vacheron Constantin’s guilloché engraving expert Supachai Wattaanakanoktham.

The Grand feu cloisonné translucent enamels are the work of famed master enameller Anita Porchet.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Florilège White Lily watch. Limited to 20 pieces. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie January 2013.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Florilège White Lily watch. Limited to 20 pieces. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie January 2013.

The three watches in this Métiers d’Art Florilège collection are powered by Vacheron Constantin’s Calibre 4400 manual-winding movements which bear the Geneva Seal Hallmark.

Apart from the beauty of such artistic timepieces, what we really like as well is how these watches perpetuate the cultural legacy of 19th century English botanical illustrations.