Prime Time: Vacheron Constantin

The answer is simple. The Swiss brand involved was Vacheron Constantin, a company itself dedicated to preserving age-old crafts and traditions through the production of its contemporary timepieces. 

Vacheron took advantage of the exhibition to unveil two models in its Metiers d’Art collection. Firstly, a tribute to the time-honoured Genevese art of Grand Feu enamelled miniature painting with a unique model in the Métiers d’Art Chagall & L’Opéra de Paris collection, dedicated to the work of Tchaikovsky.

The second collection shown was a tribute to the ancestral Japanese art of Maki-e, in cooperation with the Zohiko company – three new creations from the Métiers d’Art ‘La Symbolique des Laques’ collection. After 2010’s set of bird-themed pieces, this year’s ‘Kame’, ‘Kaeru’ and ‘Koi’ watches are dedicated to the aquatic realm, with animals selected for their symbolic legacies of longevity, luck and strength. The turtle, frog and carp disclose their attributes in stylised waters on the enamelled dials. 

The manufacture’s CEO Juan-Carlos Torres, summarises its artisanal sensibilities: “Vacheron Constantin shares with artistic crafts its faith in the wealth of human talent and its creative thrust; as well as its admiration for the ability some people have of raising their hand-crafted work to an art form; an ability which shows that the human hand is unequalled in its capacity to stir emotions...”

The annual Salon QP watch showcase is on from 11-12 November at the Saatchi Gallery. For more info visit salonqp.com