A Celestial Tribute in 43 Millimeters
To commemorate its 270th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin has unveiled the Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Quest of Time, a wristwatch that condenses the grandeur of astronomy into a wearable expression of haute horlogerie. Developed over three years and limited to just 20 pieces, the creation is inspired by the monumental astronomical clock also revealed for the occasion. Where the clock asserts itself on a grand scale, the wristwatch translates its spirit into 43 millimeters, balancing precision mechanics with artisanal finesse.
At the center of this achievement is the new hand-wound Caliber 3670. Measuring only 34 by 7.8 millimeters yet composed of 512 components, it is a testament to the maison’s mastery of miniaturization. Operating at a frequency of 5 Hz, the caliber draws energy from three barrels, offering a generous six-day power reserve that speaks to both endurance and performance.
Such a construction underscores Vacheron Constantin’s ability to merge tradition with innovation. The maison, established in 1755, has long been celebrated for its precision engineering. This anniversary piece demonstrates that, even after nearly three centuries, its horological creativity remains boundless, fusing art, science, and technical authority into a singular object of cultural significance.
Innovations Patented in Time
The Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Quest of Time is safeguarded by four patent applications, each representing a breakthrough in mechanical ingenuity. The first introduces a sequential bi-retrograde power reserve display that charts the full six-day energy supply across two arcs. The second refines precision further with a retrograde governor that ensures the hour and minute hands reset in unison at midnight.
A third patent governs the moon age indicator, engineered with exceptional accuracy that reflects centuries of astronomical study. Complementing this, a fourth mechanism allows moon phase corrections at any moment without risk of mechanical strain, offering practical flexibility without compromising durability. Collectively, these four innovations define the movement as a convergence of intellectual rigor and technical refinement.
Beyond function, these patents symbolize Vacheron Constantin’s continued pursuit of horological advancement. Each innovation respects the maison’s heritage while addressing modern expectations of accuracy, resilience, and elegance. They ensure the watch is not only a masterpiece of artistry but also an instrument that speaks to the scientific legacy of watchmaking itself.
Artistry Across Two Faces
On the dial side, métiers d’art craftsmanship elevates the movement into a work of art. The central astronomer figure, crafted from titanium with a golden PVD treatment, is sandblasted, patinated by hand, and designed to raise its arms as retrograde indicators. This homage to early 20th-century “bras en l’air” automatons adds a poetic layer to the display, blending mechanical ingenuity with symbolic artistry.
Above the figure, a three-dimensional titanium moon, half in golden PVD and half in deep blue, tracks lunar phases with sculptural realism. Framing the dial are two arcs in 18k white gold, bearing 27 applied hour markers in 18k 3N yellow gold. Beneath layered sapphire, the sky of Geneva as it appeared on September 17, 1755, the date of the maison’s founding, unfolds against a deep gradient background, a tableau that unites cosmology with heritage.
The reverse reveals an entirely different universe. The caseback presents real sidereal time alongside a live star map, mechanically calibrated with observatory precision. Unlike decorative celestial motifs, this star chart is accurate for millennia, its constellations laser-engraved on sapphire and enhanced with metallisation and gold powder transfer. It transforms the watch’s back into a functional observatory, a scientific canvas that extends the maison’s artistry into eternity.