A Unique Piece Honoring the Majesty of Wildlife Unveiled at SIHH 2019 | VACHERON CONSTANTIN

VACHERON CONSTANTIN

The "Mechanical Menagerie" with Master Watchmaking Expertise,
Featuring Tigers and Pandas

Three new models, starring tigers and pandas, have joined the "Mechanical Menagerie" lineup of unique timepieces first unveiled by Vacheron Constantin in 2018. This collection dynamically captures the majesty of wild animals, brought to life through Vacheron Constantin's masterful watchmaking techniques and artistic Métiers d’Art.

Text by OZAKI Sayaka

Engraving and Wood Marquetry Depict Dynamic Wildlife

At SIHH 2019, Vacheron Constantin announced three new models from its Les Cabinotiers department's unique "Mechanical Menagerie" collection: "Les Cabinotiers "Imperial Tiger"," "Les Cabinotiers "Majestic Tiger"," and "Les Cabinotiers "Wild Panda."

These new creations feature off-center time and date displays, powered by the Calibre 2460 G4, which provides ample space on the dial for the vibrant depictions of tigers and pandas, along with their natural surroundings, rendered through Poinçon de Genève engraving and wood marquetry.

Poinçon de Genève engraving, also known as bas-relief, is an engraving technique that creates a three-dimensional impression by sculpting gold. It's a method that imbues the motif with movement through a trompe-l'œil effect. Wood marquetry, on the other hand, is a technique where motifs are constructed using thin pieces of wood of various colors and shapes, meticulously cut by hand. Together, these techniques create depth, color, and volume, faithfully reproducing not only the individuality of the wild animals and their environments but also the richness of nature on the dial.

In "Les Cabinotiers "Imperial Tiger" and "Majestic Tiger"," tigers are depicted mid-stride through the jungle or leaping from a rocky outcrop against a backdrop of rocks and leaves rendered in wood marquetry. The master engraver meticulously applies various surface finishes—matte, polished, and satin-brushed—to the bas-relief engraving, enhancing the tiger's form with subtle plays of light and shadow. To accentuate the tiger's stripes, a technique of black oxidation is also employed. This extreme attention to finishing is a true signature of Vacheron Constantin.

The "Les Cabinotiers "Wild Panda"" uses wood marquetry to vividly recreate the panda and its bamboo forest habitat on the dial, combining over 300 pieces of wood. Each model incorporates between five and twenty types of wood, depending on the complexity of the decoration. These diverse wood pieces are assembled by artisans with delicate skill and sensitivity, bringing the scene to life with remarkable realism.

This series utilizes four discs for displaying the hours, minutes, date, and day of the week, rather than hands. The hours are shown between 11 and 12 o'clock, minutes between 1 and 2 o'clock, the day between 7 and 8 o'clock, and the date between 4 and 5 o'clock. The hours and minutes rotate continuously, while the day and date jump into position. The Calibre 2460 G4, with approximately 40 hours of power reserve, is housed in a 41mm case crafted from 18K white or pink gold. Its meticulously finished movement, adhering to the highest standards of watchmaking decoration, can be admired through the transparent case back.