Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre Museum: A new stage in the cultural and artistic collaboration between the two institutions
Fernando AldeaSince its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has placed great importance on the arts and culture. The collaboration with the Louvre Museum, launched in 2019, represents a celebration of beauty driven by the House's unwavering commitment to preserving and transmitting the heritage of the manufacture.
https://youtu.be/hBUqsQZvxU8As part of the "Bid for the Louvre" event in December 2020, a customized Les Cabinotiers watch was auctioned, marking the start of a new offering called "A Masterpiece on the Wrist" . After two years full of discoveries and events, including a private visit to the Museum and the Manufacture, the adventure has resulted in a unique edition watch: Les Cabinotiers - Homage to Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l'étendard de la Bataille d'Anghiari . Its miniature enamel dial faithfully reproduces the eponymous drawing by Peter Paul Rubens.
In 2021, the collaboration between Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre allowed both institutions to explore their art workshops through a series of videos. Following this initiative, a series of four watches inspired by the museum's antiquities collections was launched in 2022: Métiers d'Art - Tribute to Great Civilizations. In 2023, the collaboration will expand with a new Les Cabinotiers offering called "A Masterpiece on the Wrist," where customers can choose a work of art from the museum to be reproduced on their watch dial.
"Masterpiece on the wrist"
Vacheron Constantin offers its customers the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience that will allow them to discover the ins and outs of the Louvre Museum and its workshops, following the example of the buyer of the Les Cabinotiers watch - Homage to Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l'étendard de la Bataille d'Anghiari .
This new offering, "A Masterpiece on the Wrist," involves the creation of a unique, personalized edition watch with a dial reproducing, in enamel, a work of art housed at the Louvre Museum, chosen by the buyer. Most of these works are not on public display. A certificate of authenticity issued by the museum will endorse the reproduction. The experience will include a private tour of the Louvre accompanied by experts, as well as a visit to the Vacheron Constantin Manufacture to meet its master watchmakers and artisans.
Vacheron Constantin, perfectly in tune with modernity, continues the grand tradition of the Cabinotiers, which dates back to the Age of Enlightenment. These artisans worked in attic cabinets, known as "cabinets." The name has remained, as has the moral obligation to approach their craft with a high standard of excellence.
A long-term collaboration
After supporting the restoration of the "Creation of the World" clock in 2016, Vacheron Constantin formalized its collaboration with the Louvre in 2019. This partnership reflects the shared values and respect for history, culture, and heritage of both institutions.
The House is proud to announce the continuation of this important collaboration. Louis Ferla, CEO of Vacheron Constantin, expressed his enthusiasm for this alliance between two century-old institutions, rooted in the 21st century but with a firm commitment to art and culture. Laurence des Cars, President and Director of the Louvre, was also delighted with the collaboration and highlighted their shared passion for art, heritage, and excellence in the decorative arts.
The collaboration with the Louvre reinforces Vacheron Constantin's cultural commitment, which extends to world-renowned institutions with a focus on heritage preservation and restoration. Both institutions share a profound respect for the decorative arts and their transmission through time.
The incredible 2020 "Bid for the Louvre" auction
In December 2020, Vacheron Constantin participated in a unique charity auction called "Bid for the Louvre," supporting a teaching workshop project at the Louvre Museum. All of the funds raised went to "Le Studio," a space for discovery and sharing open to all, which seeks to familiarize the public with the museum, its collections, and its crafts, including fine art techniques.
As part of this auction, Vacheron Constantin offered an exceptional experience: a unique, personalized Les Cabinotiers watch. The dial of this watch would be decorated with a miniature enamel or grisaille reproducing a work of art housed in the Louvre, selected by the buyer. In addition, the winner would have the privilege of a private tour of the museum and the Cabinet des Dessins, accessible to the public by reservation only, to select the work to be reproduced. Finally, the drawing "La lutte pour l'étendard de la Bataille d'Anghiari" by Pierre-Paul Rubens was selected.
This work has an extraordinary history. During his stay in Italy, Rubens acquired and retouched this drawing depicting the Battle of Anghiari, originally commissioned by Leonardo da Vinci, in aquatint and gouache. Leonardo's original painting was left unfinished and deteriorated rapidly, so little remains of it. Rubens's drawing reveals the existence of this lost work by Leonardo, and its reproduction on the clock face is a tribute to this fascinating history.
Les Cabinotiers - Homage to Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l'étendard de la Bataille d'Anghiari
Translating a drawing onto a sphere just 3.3 cm in diameter is a challenge that requires complete immersion in the work and capturing every detail without losing its original power. In Vacheron Constantin's Métiers d'Art workshop, this challenge is addressed in an innovative way using the Geneva miniature painting technique. The master enameler uses "Blanc de Limoges" to achieve a unique effect that enhances the depth and movement of the horse's mane.
The sketch of the dial is defined with precise lines to delineate every detail and contour. Then, in successive stages, the subtlety of Rubens's drawing is recreated with soft, delicate tones. Using around 20 shades of brown, the master enameler alternates each layer with firing at 900°C to achieve the desired tones.
This unprecedented combination of miniature enamel and grisaille enamel comes to life in a timepiece powered by the in-house Calibre 2460 SC, with an engraved oscillating weight depicting the Louvre's east façade. The masterful artistry of engraving enhances the artistic dimension of the 18-carat rose gold timepiece, featuring a case back decorated with the 17th-century calligraphy "Cerca Trova" ( He who seeks finds ). This miniature masterpiece reflects the collaboration between Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre Museum in perpetuating and celebrating beauty in all its forms.
Specs
| LES CABINOTIERS – TRIBUTE TO PIERRE PAUL RUBENS LA LUTTE POUR L'ÉTENDARD DE LA BATAILLE D'ANGHIARI |
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MOVEMENT : Caliber 2460 SC | Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin | Mechanical, self-winding | 26.2 mm (11.5'') diameter, 3.6 mm thick | 22-carat gold oscillating weight engraved with the Louvre's east facade | Approximately 40 hours of power reserve | 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) | 182 parts | 27 jewels | Watches distinguished with the Hallmark of Geneva |
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CASE : 18K 5N rose gold | Official-style caseback with hinged lid and intaglio | 40 mm diameter, 9.42 mm thick |
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DIAL/HANDS : Miniature enamels and grisaille | 18K 5N rose gold hands |
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BRACELET : Brown Mississippiensis alligator leather strap | 18K 5N rose gold pin buckle |
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FUNCTIONS : Hour, minutes and central seconds |
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Chest : Les Cabinotiers Chest |
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Number of units : One-of-a-kind model | Certificate of Authenticity of the reproduction of the masterpiece issued by Le Louvre | Certificate of Guarantee issued by Vacheron Constantin |
