September 16 2025

Vacheron Constantin’s Ode To Time: The Métiers d’Art Tribute To The Quest Of Time

Ricardo Amaral NEW RELEASES, VACHERON CONSTANTIN 2025, Astronomical, Limited Edition, Retrograde Hours, Retrograde Minutes, Titanium, White Gold 0

Vacheron Constantin marks the eve of its 270th anniversary with an extraordinary horological creation — the Métiers d’Art “Tribute to the Quest of Time”. Limited to just 20 pieces, this timepiece combines artistic craftsmanship with high-end mechanical innovation, echoing the grand La Quête du Temps automaton clock that inspired its design.

A Living Figure as Timekeeper

At the centre of the watch lies a three-dimensional human figure, meticulously crafted from titanium and treated with golden PVD before being sandblasted and hand-patinated to achieve its intricate finish. This figure is not merely decorative — its arms serve as retrograde hands, displaying the hours on the left in Roman numerals and the minutes on the right in Arabic numerals. These indications travel across white gold tracks with an opaline finish, set against a double sapphire dial that allows a clear view of the movement beneath.

A Celestial Homage to 1755

The upper sapphire crystal features a blue fumé gradient created via metallisation, forming the backdrop for constellations as seen from Geneva on the day the Maison was founded in 1755. The Vacheron Constantin logo is printed in golden powder, while power-reserve scales appear in white. A second sapphire layer protects this delicate artwork from damage.

Astronomical Complications and 3D Moon

Hovering above the figure’s head is a spherical moon made of titanium, engraved and polished by hand. One hemisphere is finished in golden PVD to represent the illuminated side, while the other is treated with deep blue PVD to signify the dark side. This moon rotates to indicate the lunar phases, while a surrounding ring shows the age of the moon in days, with both elements moving on their own axes. Turning the watch over reveals a sapphire astronomical dial on the back, with a blue sapphire disc beneath displaying a rotating star chart. This chart shows the constellations in real time and measures sidereal time with a remarkable precision, remaining accurate to within one day over 9,130 years.

Dual Power Reserve and Patented Mechanisms

The watch is powered by the in-house Caliber 3670, a movement running at 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) and offering a six-day power reserve. This reserve is indicated on two opposing subdials, balancing the layout on the lower part of the dial. The calibre is the subject of four patent applications, including one for a system that synchronises the return of both retrograde arms so they snap back in unison at 12:00, and another for the distinctive split power-reserve display. The figure’s titanium construction minimises the force needed for the arms’ retrograde motion, reducing stress on the movement and ensuring longevity.

Two Modes: Always-On or On-Demand

Owners can choose between two display modes. In the standard “always-on” mode, the arms continuously track the passing hours and minutes. Alternatively, the watch can be placed in “standby” mode, where the figure’s arms rest in a neutral position until the wearer activates them by pressing a pusher at 10 o’clock. The arms will then display the time and return to rest when the pusher is pressed again, all while the timekeeping continues quietly in the background. This on-demand display preserves the element of surprise and reduces wear on the mechanism.

Case and Finishing

The watch is housed in an 18k white gold case measuring 43 mm in diameter and 13.58 mm thick. The movement is finished with subtle circular graining to improve legibility through the transparent sapphire dials. Only twenty pieces will be made, and Vacheron Constantin has not disclosed the price.

A Celebration of Time and Craft

The Métiers d’Art “Tribute to the Quest of Time” is both a technical showcase and a poetic homage to Vacheron Constantin’s long legacy. Combining artistry, astronomical precision, and mechanical ingenuity, it perfectly embodies the spirit of the brand’s 270-year quest to master time.