270 Years of Mastery: Vacheron Constantin Reveals the Métiers d’Art – Tribute to the Quest of Time

Marking 270 years of horological artistry, Vacheron Constantin unveils one of its most ambitious creations: the Métiers d’Art – Tribute to the Quest of Time, a double-sided wristwatch blending tradition, innovation, craftsmanship, astronomy, and timeless design.

As part of this milestone year, the Maison has introduced commemorative editions across the 222, Patrimony, and Traditionnelle collections, each bridging classic heritage with modern watchmaking. But the Métiers d’Art stands apart; here’s how.

At its heart beats the new Calibre 3670, a manually wound, high-frequency marvel vibrating at 5 Hertz (36,000 beats per hour). Yet, despite the movement’s compact 34mm by 7.8mm footprint, it houses three barrels that provide a six-day power reserve, combining endurance with elegance.

This 512-component movement, which took three years to develop, is a feat of miniaturization, fitting into a case with wearable proportions of 43mm diameter by 13.58mm height. And as the cherry on top, a Poinçon de Genève certification attests to the watch’s technical excellence, meticulous finishing, and artistry.
 

Boasting remarkable ingenuity, the Calibre 3670 introduces four groundbreaking innovations: a sequential double power reserve display, a retrograde governor ensuring the hands jump in perfect harmony, a three-dimensional moonphase with precise lunar age indication, and a correction system that allows adjustments at any moment without disrupting the mechanism.

“This watch is a singular blend of technical achievement and artistic expression,” explains Sandrine Donguy, Product & Innovation Director. “The four patents highlight just how ambitious we were – not only in reinterpreting our heritage, but in pushing watchmaking forward.”
 

Perhaps the most enchanting feature is the dual-display mode: wearers can choose the continuous “active” mode, where the hours and minutes are always shown, or the “on-demand” mode, a playful homage to the 1930 “Bras en l’Air” pocket watch, where time appears only when summoned.

The Métiers d’Art – Tribute to the Quest of Time is not simply a watch; it is a narrative told in metal, sapphire, and light.

On the front dial, time is anthropomorphized via a golden-hued human figure, sculpted with remarkable finesse, whose arms trace the passage of hours and minutes in a bi-retrograde display. This dynamic choreography brings an almost theatrical quality to timekeeping, as the hands sweep gracefully across their arcs before springing back in a poetic reset.
 

Behind this figure stretches a celestial tableau, a faithful reproduction of the night sky above Geneva on September 17th, 1755 – the place and date Vacheron Constantin was founded. Stars are positioned with astronomical accuracy, giving wearers a sense of looking directly into the heavens of the Maison’s origin. This historical connection elevates the watch beyond function, linking each passing minute to a story that began 270 years ago.
 

Turning the watch over reveals a second universe: a real-time sky chart, executed with extraordinary precision. This celestial map does not merely imitate the heavens; it mirrors them, with a drift so minimal it would take over nine millennia to deviate by a single day. Such accuracy transforms the timepiece into a scientific instrument as much as a work of art.

The timepiece mesmerizes as much with its visual poetry as with its mechanical brilliance. As previously mentioned, at its core, a central figure sculpted in titanium and finished with a golden PVD patina rises like a cosmic guardian, elegantly flanked by arcs marking the hours and minutes.
 

Above, the three-dimensional Moon drifts through its phases, rendered in exquisite detail. Meanwhile, the celestial vault – created in collaboration with astronomers from the Geneva Observatory – faithfully reproduces the night sky of 1755. Layers of sapphire crystal, delicate metallization, precise engraving, and precious metal appliques converge to form a breathtaking tableau of cosmic grandeur.

“The choice of technique was always guided by the desired aesthetic,” explains Sandrine Donguy. “The titanium 3D moon is hand-engraved and finished with a bi-coloured PVD treatment, while the figure is meticulously sandblasted to create a patina. This seamless fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern decorative techniques lies at the very heart of the watch’s identity.”
 

Even the caseback tells a story: a sky chart is laser-engraved onto sapphire crystal, enhanced with metallization and gold powder. At the same time, all 512 hand-finished components of the movement are on display – a testament to Vacheron Constantin’s unwavering dedication to horological artistry.

The Métiers d’Art – Tribute to the Quest of Time carries forward Vacheron Constantin’s enduring fascination with celestial timekeeping and the art of retrograde displays. From the Les Cabinotiers Celestia of 2017 to the Mercator series of 1994, these intricate complications have long stood as defining hallmarks of the Maison.
 

Retrograde functions, in particular, trace their origins back to the iconic 1930s “Bras en l’Air” pocket watch and have been continually reimagined over the decades. The Calibre 3670 extends this illustrious lineage with its bi-retrograde displays and sequential retrograde power reserve – honoring the Maison’s heritage while charting bold new technical frontiers.
 

As Sandrine Donguy concludes, “The Métiers d’Art collection is our canvas for artistic crafts, an exploration through time and civilizations. Introducing a new complication here was a natural choice – this watch embodies the perfect harmony between mechanical mastery and artistic expression.”

No price has been announced; however, the Métiers d’Art – Tribute to the Quest of Time is limited to only 20 numbered pieces that will be available exclusively through Vacheron Constantin Boutiques. For further details, visit the Vacheron Constantin website.