Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Tribute To The Animal Kingdom: Six Crafts, Six Interpretations

Vacheron Constantin has unveiled a new Métiers d’Art collection dedicated to the animal kingdom, bringing together six highly specialised artistic disciplines within a series of exceptional timepieces. Developed as part of the Maison’s “One of Not Many Crafts Programme”, the collection demonstrates how traditional decorative arts can be adapted to the extremely demanding scale of a wristwatch.

Named Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Animal Kingdom, the series comprises six unique artistic interpretations: Feathersnake, Glassoctopus, Oraygami, Tigerbroidery, Papercroc and Woodenwings. Each uses a different craft and material, turning the central portion of the dial into a miniature three-dimensional scene.

Six crafts, six animal-inspired creations

The defining characteristic of the collection is its diversity. Rather than applying the same decorative technique across six references, Vacheron Constantin challenged six artisans to translate their respective crafts into miniature works of art.

Feathersnake uses miniature featherwork to form a sculptural serpent. The feathers create a sense of volume and movement, requiring precise manipulation to fit within the limited space available beneath the sapphire crystal.

Glassoctopus takes a completely different approach, featuring a hand-sculpted glass octopus. Working glass at this scale demands considerable precision, particularly when creating the tentacles and shaping the three-dimensional figure without compromising its delicate appearance.

For Oraygami, the inspiration comes from Japanese origami. Six miniature manta rays are recreated using folded material, arranged across the dial to give the impression of movement through an underwater environment.

Tigerbroidery combines gold embroidery with silk to construct its animal composition. The technique brings together precious metal thread and textile work, creating a richly textured scene while maintaining the fine proportions required for a wristwatch dial.

The monochromatic Papercroc adopts a more restrained aesthetic. Embossed and cut paper is layered to create a crocodile motif, with the white-on-white execution relying on differences in texture, relief and shadow rather than contrasting colours.

Finally, Woodenwings uses miniature marquetry. Several types of wood are carefully selected and assembled to create the decorative composition, with the natural variations in grain and colour becoming an integral part of the artwork.

A 42mm canvas for miniature craftsmanship

Although the artistic treatments differ considerably, all six watches are built around the same fundamental architecture.

The case measures 42 mm in diameter and 12.9mm thick, providing a relatively substantial canvas for the Métiers d’Art creations while remaining a wearable wristwatch. Depending on the interpretation, Vacheron Constantin uses either 18K white gold or 18K 5N pink gold.

One of the technical challenges was the very limited space available between the dial and sapphire crystal. The artisans therefore had to adapt their traditional techniques to an environment measured in millimetres, with some requiring specially developed tools and processes.

This is particularly important for the more dimensional executions, where the decorative elements cannot simply be treated as conventional flat dial decoration. Featherwork, glass sculpture, embroidery, folded paper and marquetry all had to be miniaturised while retaining their characteristic visual qualities.

Calibre 2460 G4 keeps the dial open

Behind the artistic compositions sits Vacheron Constantin’s Calibre 2460 G4, an automatic movement that has become closely associated with the Maison’s Métiers d’Art creations.

Rather than placing conventional central hands over the artwork, the movement uses four apertures positioned around the perimeter of the dial to display the hours, minutes, day and date.

This unusual arrangement is particularly well suited to the collection. The central area remains almost entirely dedicated to the artistic composition, while the essential time and calendar indications are moved towards the outer edge.

The automatic movement can also be admired through the sapphire crystal caseback. Its 22K gold oscillating weight receives a special engraving created for the collection, featuring motifs inspired by the tools and instruments used by the six artisans.

The artwork continues onto the wrist

Vacheron Constantin completes each watch with a calfskin strap featuring embossed decoration. The pattern is individually designed to echo elements of the corresponding dial, creating a visual connection between the central artwork and the rest of the watch.

The result is a collection where the mechanical component provides a common foundation, while the dial, case material and strap allow each reference to develop its own identity.

The Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Animal Kingdom therefore serves as a showcase for six very different decorative disciplines, demonstrating how traditional crafts can be reinterpreted at the miniature scale demanded by haute horlogerie.

Price: Upon request.

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General Specifications:

Brand: Vacheron Constantin

Model: Metiers d’Art Tribute to the Animal Kingdom

Reference: 7630A/000G-H206 (Feathersnake), 7630A/000R-H205 (Glassoctopus), 7630A/000G-H204 (Oraygami), 7630A/000G-H207 (Tigerbroidery), 7630A/000R-H202 (Papercroc), 7630A/000R-H203 (Woodenwings)

Dial: Featherwork, glass sculpting, micro-origami, gold embroidery, paper sculpting, wood marquetry

Case Material: 18k white gold, 18k 5N pink gold,

Case Dimensions: 42 mm Diameter, 12.90 mm thickness

Crystal: Sapphire Glass

Case Back: Sapphire Glass

Water Resistance: 30 Meters

Strap: calfskin strap with embossed decoration matching the dials

Calibre: 2460 G4

Dimensions: 31 mm Diameter, 6.05 mm thickness

Functions: Hours, minutes, day, date

Winding: Automatic

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)

Jewels: 27

Power Reserve: 40 Hours

Price: Upon request