Few maisons embody horological excellence quite like Vacheron Constantin. Founded in Geneva in 1755, the watchmaker celebrates its 270th anniversary this year with creations that transcend the boundaries of timekeeping. At the heart of this milestone lies La Quête du Temps, a monumental astronomical clock, and the Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Quest of Time, an extraordinary wristwatch inspired by its grandeur. Together, they affirm Vacheron Constantin’s role as both guardian of tradition and pioneer of innovation.
La Quête du Temps: A Mécanique d’Art Beyond Compare
Seven years in the making, La Quête du Temps is more than a clock. It is a mechanical symphony of 6,293 components, 23 complications, and an automaton unlike any other. Standing over a metre high, the masterpiece depicts an Astronomer who gestures to the skies, embodying humanity’s eternal fascination with the cosmos.
The automaton does not merely charm—it tells the time. Its choreography spans 144 different gestures, brought to life by 158 cams and accompanied by melodies composed by Woodkid. The celestial dome above shows constellations exactly as they appeared above Geneva on 17 September 1755, the day Jean-Marc Vacheron signed his first apprentice. A poetic reminder that the Maison’s journey has always been guided by the stars.
The creation unites master watchmakers, artisans, engineers, and astronomers. Rock crystal, lapis lazuli, and enamel frame the astronomical displays, while diamonds trace the stars on the Astronomer’s body. This is not just Haute Horlogerie—it is cultural heritage reimagined. Fittingly, the clock will debut at the Louvre’s Mécaniques d’Art exhibition in Paris this September, standing alongside historical marvels of mechanical art.
Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Quest of Time
Inspired by the clock, Vacheron Constantin unveils a wristwatch that captures its essence on a more intimate scale. Limited to just 20 pieces, the Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Quest of Time is a double-sided, manually wound marvel powered by the new Calibre 3670. With 512 components and four patent applications, it is as technical as it is artistic.
On the front, a human figure indicates the hours and minutes with sweeping retrograde arms. Behind it, the constellations are painted as they appeared from Geneva in 1755. A moon phase display adds depth, alongside a double retrograde power reserve. The reverse reveals a rotating sky chart, tracking constellations in real time and displaying the sidereal day.
True to the Métiers d’Art tradition, the watch is also a canvas of craftsmanship. Engraving, enamelling, and hand-finishing bring celestial poetry to life, bridging centuries of savoir-faire with contemporary artistry.
A Legacy of Quest
“Is it always possible to do better? Is it always possible to be amazed? Undeniably,” says Laurent Perves, CEO of Vacheron Constantin. The sentiment captures the spirit of the Maison, whose motto since 1819 has been to “do better if possible, and that is always possible.”
From the monumental scale of La Quête du Temps to the intimacy of the Métiers d’Art wristwatch, Vacheron Constantin’s 270th anniversary creations are not mere timekeepers. They are mechanical works of art, embodying the timeless pursuit of beauty, precision, and wonder.
(Images via Vacheron Constantin)
