Vacheron Constantin has transformed astronomical wonder into wearable art with their latest Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial collection—twelve extraordinary timepieces that elevate zodiac appreciation to rarefied heights.
Drawing inspiration from a 2021 piece-unique creation by the brand’s Les Cabinotiers workshop, these ultra-thin tourbillon watches represent the pinnacle of Swiss craftsmanship, where each model celebrates a different zodiac sign through meticulous hand-guilloché artistry and stellar diamond constellations.
Written In The Stars
The foundation of each timepiece begins with an 18k white gold case measuring 39mm in diameter by just 10.7mm thick, creating an elegant profile befitting Vacheron Constantin’s dress watch heritage.
However, the true spectacle lies in the gem-setting mastery adorning each case—96 blue baguette-cut sapphires totaling 3.87 carats grace the bezel, lugs, and winding crown. This extraordinary embellishment requires 27 hours of precise gem-setting work per watch, transforming functional elements into jewelry-grade components that shimmer with celestial brilliance.
The technical heart beats with Vacheron Constantin’s renowned Caliber 2160 automatic tourbillon movement, a 5.65mm-thick marvel comprising 188 meticulously finished components.
Operating at 18,000vph with an impressive 80-hour power reserve, this Geneva Seal-certified movement features a peripheral rotor crafted from 22k gold, allowing unobstructed appreciation of the hand-beveled bridges adorned with traditional perlage and Geneva stripes. The one-minute tourbillon, distinguished by its Maltese Cross-shaped carriage with a single blue screw, provides hypnotic seconds indication against the printed track surrounding the lower dial aperture.
Each constellation dial begins as a thin 18k 5N red gold disc, carefully marked with the designated zodiac outline before receiving a lustrous sunburst finish. The human-based signs—Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius—receive additional opaline detailing, enhancing their anthropomorphic characteristics.
The hand-guilloché figurative drawing technique, developed by Vacheron Constantin’s master artisans, creates each zodiac representation through triangular patterns formed by densely packed straight lines, with each triangle angled differently to generate mesmerizing visual depth.
Mapping the Night Sky
The dial creation process exemplifies horological artistry at its finest. After approximately 16 hours of hand-guilloché work per zodiac sign, the entire surface receives a vibrant dark blue coating that evokes the midnight sky. Thin machined lines reveal the underlying red gold base layer, creating the constellation framework, while transfer-printed silver minute and seconds tracks provide functional elegance. The brand’s Maltese Cross emblem and 18k white gold hour markers complete the foundational elements.
The astronomical accuracy becomes evident through brilliant-cut diamonds representing principal constellation stars, connected by thin red gold lines that shine through the blue surface. These diamonds form the actual star patterns observable in our night sky, while the hand-guilloché imagery interprets the mythological figures associated with each zodiac sign. This dual representation bridges scientific precision with artistic imagination, creating dials that function as both timepieces and celestial maps.
The reference numbering system reflects methodical organization, with each watch following the base number 6007A/000G plus zodiac-specific suffixes from H042 (Aries) through H053 (Pisces), maintaining the natural zodiacal sequence. Every timepiece pairs with a dark blue alligator leather strap featuring large-scale exterior and small-scale lining, completed by an 18k white gold Maltese Cross-shaped folding clasp channel-set with an additional 16 blue baguette-cut sapphires.
True to Vacheron Constantin’s exclusivity protocols, official pricing remains undisclosed, though industry sources suggest approximately $250,000 per timepiece—reflecting the extraordinary craftsmanship, precious materials, and limited production scope. These aren’t numbered limited editions but rather exclusive creations available solely through Vacheron Constantin boutiques, ensuring their rarity matches their astronomical inspiration.
The Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial collection represents more than luxury watchmaking—it’s wearable astronomy that captures humanity’s eternal fascination with the cosmos while showcasing Switzerland’s finest horological traditions.
