Vacheron Constantin has chosen a spectacular way to celebrate its 270th anniversary, unveiling a wristwatch that feels more like a work of art than a simple instrument for telling time. The Métiers d’Art – Tribute to the Quest of Time is a double-sided masterpiece that took three years to bring to life, powered by the all-new Calibre 3670. Limited to just 20 pieces, it’s an object of wonder that blends centuries-old craftsmanship with modern ingenuity, resulting in a watch that is as much about storytelling as it is about precision.
On the front, time is told through the arms of a golden figure, standing in the center of a dial that evokes the cosmos. This is no ordinary display: the arms sweep across retrograde arcs for hours and minutes, with the choice of showing time continuously or on demand with the push of a button. Behind the figure, the star map glows with a depiction of the constellations exactly as they appeared above Geneva on September 17, 1755, the very day the Maison was founded. This isn’t just decorative, it’s a cosmic reminder of the house’s origins, created with the help of astronomers who ensured that each star sits precisely where it should. Hovering above, a three-dimensional moon rotates with incredible accuracy, revealing its exact age as it cycles through its phases.
Flip the watch over and the show continues. The reverse side reveals a celestial chart that tracks constellations in real time, accurate to within a single day in over 9,000 years. It’s an astonishing feat of engineering that feels almost poetic, connecting the rhythms of the universe with the mechanics on your wrist.
What makes this timepiece even more compelling is the hidden technical brilliance. The Calibre 3670 beats at a high frequency of 5 Hz and draws its energy from three barrels to deliver six days of power reserve. The movement, made up of 512 components, carries four patent applications that cover innovations like the sequential bi-retrograde power reserve and a governor that ensures the arms of the figure jump back in unison at midnight without missing a beat. The moon display can even be adjusted at any time of day without harming the delicate mechanism. Every component is hand-finished, not just for the sake of tradition but for the sheer pleasure of knowing that nothing escapes the watchmaker’s touch.
The artistry is no less impressive than the mechanics. The golden figure, inspired by the “Astronomer” automaton from the Maison’s anniversary clock, has been carefully sandblasted and patinated to achieve its warm glow. The moon, made of titanium, is engraved and polished by hand, its two faces finished with contrasting treatments of gold and deep blue. The sapphire crystal dial itself is layered and decorated with metallisation, giving depth to the celestial map while protecting it for generations to come.
There’s a sense of theater to the Métiers d’Art – Tribute to the Quest of Time. At one moment, the figure stands still, serene at the center of the universe, until a simple push activates its arms to sweep gracefully across the dial, revealing the passage of hours and minutes. At another, the reverse side invites you to contemplate the stars, reminding you that time is not only human-made but also cosmic in its rhythm.
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