In commemoration of its cooperation with the Paris National Opera, Vacheron Constantin has launched 15 extraordinary and unique Métiers d’ Art watches. This series of watch dials is inspired by the timeless decorative frescoes on the dome of the Garnier Opera House by Marc Chagall.
第一 The first of these watches was unveiled at a party held at the Garnier Opera on November 20, 2010 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Paris Opera and Ballet Association (AROP). This watch uses a long history of high-temperature open flame enamel technology to reproduce the entire dome fresco created by Chagall. The gold case with a 31.50 mm diameter dial condenses an actual 200 square meter masterpiece in a limited dial space, which is truly amazing. This dial is also retained in the heritage series.
The newly released second watch was unveiled at the 5th Journées des Métiers d’ Art event held on April 1, 2011 at the French National Institute of Crafts and Arts (INMA). The Chagall frescoes on the theme of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake’ are displayed, and every detail of this grand masterpiece is vividly depicted. The watch is made of high-temperature open flame micro-painted enamel, a Geneva craftsmanship that has been passed down for hundreds of years and is only mastered by a few craftsmen.
The watch has a diameter of 40mm and is made of gold. And with a yellow dial as the main color, make the watch shining. The movement is equipped with the Vacheron Constantin 2460 self-winding movement, which has the hours and minutes display function and enjoys the Geneva quality mark.
13 other watches will be launched in the next three years, each with the theme of a composer depicted in the Chagall dome mural. Adam, Moussorgski, Mozart, Wagner, Berlioz, Rameau, Debussy, Ravel The works of Stravinsky, Verdi, Beethoven, Gluck, Bizet and others will be real in the magical hand of the enamel master Reproduced.
About Geneva high temperature open flame enamel craft:
The enamel craft first appeared on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and was often used to decorate gold jewelry and jewelry in ancient times. In the 15th century, watchmakers began to use enamel to decorate clocks and developed into mature craftsmanship in Geneva. Local artisans continued to improve technology, invent new methods, and continuously raise the level of art. There are mainly four forms: champlevé, Transparent enamel (flinqué), cloisonné, and painted enamelling.
Métiers d’ Art Chagall & L’ Opéra de Paris series mainly adopts high-temperature open flame enamel technology, which is one of the oldest and most extraordinary traditional high-end watch making technology. The high-temperature open flame enamel used in the Geneva watchmaking process has an extremely high melting point, between 800 ° C and 900 ° C, so it has unparalleled purity and durability.
Only a handful of artisans in the world are skilled in this precious precious craft, and Vacheron Constantin has spared no effort in studying this skill. There is no doubt that this traditional craft requires consistent adherence to standards. This is the basic premise that must be adhered to, just like the people in the Middle Ages who dealt with colored manuscripts required a great deal of attention and patience.
Only the most professional top enamel masters can provide the Geneva painted enamel craft with protective coating. On a 1 mm thick and 31.5 mm diameter dial, the craftsman will first apply a layer of white enamel, which has an extremely hard texture due to its extremely high melting point. The dial is first fired at a high temperature of about 900 ° C so that it can withstand subsequent furnace firing processes.
The craftsman uses the white enamel substrate as the ‘background canvas’, uses a brush made of two or three mink hairs to trace the outline of various patterns, and then uses a magnifying glass with a higher multiple to reproduce the overall atmosphere and Emotional fluctuations. This requires the use of selected colors to delicately outline consecutive points in precise order, gradually progressing from softer colors to pure and beautiful colors. The ultra-fine powders and pigments used in painted enamel need to be mixed with oils such as lily oil to improve its ductility.
彩 After about 20 times of high temperature firing at 800 ° C to 850 ° C, the painting is finally formed. In these steps, the heat makes the color glassy and gradual, making it more dazzling and intense. The experience of the enamelist plays a decisive role. The firing times must be precisely calculated according to the type and quantity of the material, and the precise firing time is an important secret kept by each craftsman. Any errors can occur before the last process is completed, because the enamel is extremely fragile, sometimes even difficult to melt, and cracks can occur each time it is removed from the furnace. Therefore, the cooling process requires great patience from the artisan to avoid fatal damage to the enamel due to the pressure caused by the sudden drop in temperature. Any small mistake can lead to irreparable losses, forcing craftsmen to start from scratch.
After finishing the painted enamel process, the last firing (high temperature of 800 ° C) is usually applied. Two to three layers of processing flux containing transparent enamel are usually applied to prevent signs of aging in the finished product. Then use whetstone for fine grinding and polishing, and then perform the final vitrification treatment and polishing treatment in order to give the work a dazzling and dynamic light.

Omega officially launched a new global publicity advertisement to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its revolutionary Co-Axial movement. The main image of this new campaign is creatively inspired by Omega’s award-winning advertising work ‘Recruitment of Watchmakers’. Under the camera of famous fashion photographer Greg Williams, several OMEGA celebrity ambassadors include George Clooney Wearing a watchmaker’s jacket and watchmaker’s glasses. The first person to walk on the moon, Apollo 11 astronaut BuzzAldrin, wearing an Omega Speedmaster, appeared in this new set of advertising campaigns, with the headline saying: ‘This is not rocket technology, but it is similar.’ F1 superstar Schumacher’s coaxial advertisement shows the long-term stability of the Omega movement, the title is-‘faster is not always better’. The ad copy not only shows the enterprising spirit of the celebrity ambassador in his professional field, but also shows the precise connotation of the Omega coaxial movement.

Glashütte originally developed a new self-made Calibre 36 automatic winding movement, letting time return to the essence. At the 44th Basel International Horological and Jewellery Show 2016, Glashütte Original launched the original parliamentary watch, a stainless steel and silver dial, with advanced design and classic appearance. At the same time, it meets the fine watchmaking art standards, and has innovative ideas and practical value .
Watch real shot show:

 Watch details real shot display:

   The polished and satin-brushed surface of the case is intertwined with light and shadow.

   The slim bezel and arched sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating on the front and back provide excellent visibility and give the watch a simple, elegant look.

   The ribbed crown features the brand’s signature ‘Double G’ logo.

   Light silver frosted lacquered dial, decorated with laser-cut plated black hour markers and corresponding track-type minute ring, with typical Roman numerals only at 6 and 12 o’clock.

   The slim pear-shaped hands make time clear and easy to read.

   Through the sapphire crystal case back, you can admire the unique decoration and structural characteristics of Glashütte.

   This watch is certified by Glashütte’s original testing standards, with stable speed and structure, accurate and reliable, extended operating time, and long-lasting beauty.
   The above is the information related to the 2016 Basel International Watch & Jewellery Show prepared by the staff in front of the Watch House. We will continue to provide more and more intuitive exhibition reports for everyone in the future. Everyone pays attention.
2016 Basel International Watch & Jewellery Show Special Report