Look up, fam! Vacheron Constantin has revealed a glittering ode to the night sky with the Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial collection. This new series showcases 12 timepieces, each representing a zodiac sign through hand-guilloché artistry, diamond-set constellations, and deep blue dials housed in white gold cases adorned with sapphires.
Each piece speaks to both celestial wonder and earthly craftsmanship. The 39mm 18K white gold case shimmers with 96 baguette-cut blue sapphires (~3.87 carats), meticulously channel-set to create a seamless ring of light that frames the dial. Beneath the dial, the Calibre 2160 powers the watch with refined precision. At just 5.65mm thick, this ultra-thin self-winding tourbillon movement contains 188 expertly crafted components and delivers an 80-hour power reserve.
A Dial Written In The Language Of Stars
Each dial begins as a disc of 18K gold, engraved with zodiac figures and their matching constellations. The guilloché work introduces a technique unique to the Maison – using tightly patterned triangles angled in a way that catches and reflects light like the facets of a gem. Brilliant-cut diamonds mark each constellation’s brightest stars. For Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius, opaline highlights add visual contrast and dimension.
The eight-step dial construction is a ballet of precision, with each artisan building upon the previous stage without disrupting the integrity of the work. From the initial sunburst finish to the final transfer of the Maison’s emblem and indexes, every stage demonstrates the deep respect Vacheron Constantin holds for traditional métiers d’art.
Technical Mastery Behind The Beauty
The Calibre 2160 movement pairs aesthetic finesse with horological strength. Its 22K gold peripheral rotor ensures an uninterrupted view of the movement’s inner workings – complete with perlage, hand-bevelled bridges, and a polished tourbillon cage shaped like the Maltese Cross.
Operating at 18,000 vibrations per hour, the tourbillon also serves as the small seconds indicator. Each piece bears the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, affirming the quality of both decoration and performance.
A Legacy Written In The Stars
Vacheron Constantin’s fascination with the cosmos spans centuries. The Maison’s past creations have explored astrological and astronomical themes with an eye for symbolism and technical complexity. From Art Deco clocks and Chinese zodiac dials to grand complications like Reference 57260 and The Berkley Grand Complication, the brand continues to interpret time through the lens of myth, science, and human wonder.
This new Métiers d’Art collection draws inspiration from a 2021 Les Cabinotiers piece that featured a figurative Leo in guilloché – a turning point in Vacheron Constantin’s decorative language. The Tribute to The Celestial series expands that moment into a complete zodiac narrative, where each timepiece becomes a chapter in the sky.
The Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial features 12 watches, each inspired by a zodiac sign. Available at select Vacheron Constantin boutiques worldwide.
