In addition to being a historic watchmaker, whose activity has continued uninterruptedly since 1755, Vacheron Constantin also stands out for its long-standing complicity with the female public. The Égérie Creative Edition timepiece adds a new chapter to this privileged relationship. Combining the fineness of the Burano lace that inspired it with the watchmaking excellence dear to the Maison, the new reference offers a testament to the art of Belle Haute Horlogerie.
Presented in 2020, the Égérie collection is conceived as a hymn to femininity that combines Haute Couture and Haute Horlogerie.
The Égérie timepiece draws on the decorative métiers d’art, which have been an integral part of the Manufacture since the early 19th century. Like the lace makers of Burano, who create the most delicate creations with a needle, the master craftsmen have put the art of engraving, enamelling, tapisserie and setting at the service of contemporary femininity.
Vacheron Constantin has always shown great sensitivity towards its female clientele. From the first pocket watches to the new Égérie Creative Edition timepiece, her creations stand out because they are designed specifically for women rather than based on men’s models.
The meeting of four métier d’art: tapisserie, engraving, enamelling and setting
Finely engraved to obtain an effect similar to that of Burano lace, the dial of the Égérie Creative Edition watch required the superimposition of five elements, the result of extraordinary savoir-faire.
Born from an ancient decorative technique and still executed by the master guillocheur on an early 20th century machine, the pleated tapisserie motif is created on a silver base which enhances the black enamel. The latter, whose tone makes it difficult to manage the balance between transparency and color, gives contrast and volume. The art of the master enamellers also excels in the moon phase window: the mother-of-pearl moon appears under a cloud in plique-à-jour enamel which, for the first time in the history of the Maison, is only 0.27 mm thick.
The master engraver and, after him, the master setter have put all their experience into play: the first to create flowers and uniform surfaces, but also to express his creativity on spaces left free for this purpose; the second to set the 250 brilliant-cut diamonds that adorn the motif and the other 292 that illuminate the case and crown. The extraordinary delicacy of the whole is completed by the black satin calfskin strap with a buckle set with 21 diamonds, which can be replaced with a black Missisippiensis alligator leather strap at the push of a button.
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