Vacheron Constantin: Experience the Anatomy of Beauty

The new Vacheron Constantin exhibition illustrates the alliance between decorative arts and watchmaking techniques, from the 19th century to present day.

Founded in 1755, Swiss watchmakers to the Kings are revered for more than two centuries of horological technical excellence and mastery of the decorative arts.

From creating the world’s first complication in 1790, to building the pocket watch Reference 57260 (which currently holds the title of the most complicated mechanical watch ever made with 57 horological complications), Vacheron Constantin’s oeuvre continues to inspire awe among aficionados.

You can now peer behind the scenes and examine some of the most iconic Vacheron Constantin timepieces in great micro detail at its upcoming exhibition “The Anatomy of Beauty ®” at the ArtScience Museum, Level 4, from 16 October – 2 November 2022.

The immersive exhibition presents three experience areas: “Our Heritage: A Legacy As Precious As Time” – a timeline through the brand’s exceptional history; “The Anatomy Of Beauty” – a extreme close-up look at the exquisite details of the brand’s artisanal craft; and “Science And Complications”, a journey to the heart of Vacheron Constantin, highlighting 5 horological complications that give life to its special timepieces – tourbillon, split-seconds chronograph, retrograde, perpetual calendar and minute-repeater.

Our Heritage: A Legacy As Precious As Time

Follow the arc of horological development from the exclusivity of gentleman’s pocket watches to the democratisation of wristwatches for all (including women!). Artistic crafts are given pride of place, with a vast range of styles made possible by the techniques of guilloché, enamelling, miniature painting, gem setting, lacquering, openworking, etc. Special timepieces to look out for are the Pocketwatch in finely chased yellow gold set with amethysts, guilloché gold dial (1822); and the Tour de l’lle (2005), a 16-complication double-face display considered one of the most complicated wrist watches in the world and produced in a very small series of 7 pieces.

The Anatomy Of Beauty

At this experience, learn how the exquisite beauty of design and craft live in the smallest of details – from the the fine guilloché work on a dial or the gemset minute track, to the small flame-blued screw serving as a seconds indicator on a tourbillon carriage and the mirror polishing on a minute repeater hammer. Nothing is left to chance. Highlights include the Métiers d’Art – Tribute to great civilisations (2022), and the Historiques 222 – 2022, a contemporary reissue of the historic model.

Science And Complications

Since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has perpetuated watchmaking expertise drawing upon the mastery of the most advanced knowledge and technology. This demanding know-how, which the Manufacture has continually enriched throughout its history and continues to explore, is illustrated through 5 horological complications – tourbillon, split-seconds chronograph, retrograde, perpetual calendar and minute-repeater. Timepieces of note on display are the Split seconds chronograph, 18K yellow gold pocket watch (1939); and the Patrimony minute repeater ultra-thin (2013).