Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake

Quick specs Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake
Price: on request (but somewhere around 150k)
Size: 40 mm
Reference:
86073/000P-H033 (platinum)
86073/000R-H034 (pink gold) – both limited to 25 pieces

The Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake pays a tribute to the coming Chinese New Year. If we are correct IWC was the first this year to celebrate this moment that starts at the 19^th of January 2025. Check this IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake. And many brands will follow with their interpretation of the Year of the Wooden Snake.

Vacheron uses a proven concept for these two 40-millimeter models, one in platinum and one in pink gold. The dial in white gold or pink gold is engraved and enameled with techniques from VC’s artisans. They sculp the snake and the rock and then the texture and relief are enhanced by the application of miniature paint and patina.

Two processes of enamel background

The background of the dial has Grand Feu enamel, and on top of that is a flux-coated miniature opaque enamel for the flora. With enamel powder the colors are created and then the dial goes into the oven at about 820 Celsius so that it kind of melts into a hard rich layer. This is repeated for each applied color, so it is a very delicate and time consuming process.

And if you wonder, where are the hands, well, there aren’t any hands. In order to not disturb the art on the dial, Vacheron has chosen for the option to show the time and date through four apertures.  At the 11 o’clock position is the date, then at 1 the minutes, at 5 the hours and lastly at 7 the day of the week.

The Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake has a power reserve of 40 hours

The movement of the Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake is the Vacheron Constantin caliber 2460 G4. It is also used in the 2017 Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Dog for example. It’s a very fine finished automatic with a power reserve of 40 hours and a 22K gold oscillating weight adorned with a guilloché motif. And it has the Hallmark of Geneva to underline its quality.

Both models come on an alligator leather strap with either a platinum or pink gold folding clasp. And both models are limited to 25 pieces. The price is on request but given the price of the aforementioned 2017 model, we would count on about 150k in US dollars or euros.