Vacheron Constantin Taps Into Astrology With The Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial

For all astrology fans, Vacheron Constantin just dropped your dream watch collection (myself included). Vacheron Constantin just introduced its latest masterpiece, the Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial, a series of 12 references that marry haute horlogerie with the ethereal beauty of the night sky. Each watch is a tribute to a zodiac sign and its corresponding constellation, brought to life through intricate hand-guilloché dials, diamond-set “stars,” and baguette-cut sapphires adorning an 18K white gold case. Powered by the ultra-thin Calibre 2160 tourbillon movement, this collection is a testament to Vacheron Constantin’s mastery of both technical precision and artistic savoir-faire.

The dials of the Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial are a showcase of Vacheron Constantin’s expertise in hand-guillochage and gem-setting. Each of the 12 dials features a hand-guilloché depiction of a zodiac sign and its constellation, with principal stars marked by brilliant-cut diamonds. The guilloché work, executed by the Maison’s master guillocheur, transforms the traditional craft into a figurative art form. This innovative technique involves crafting thousands of tiny, hand-engraved triangles, each set at a unique angle to create a vivid, almost three-dimensional illustration. The process, which takes approximately 16 hours per dial, demands extraordinary precision to ensure no line compromises the intricate design.

For the four zodiac signs representing human figures—Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius—opaline details add a luminous depth to the guilloché motifs. The dial construction is a meticulous eight-step process, beginning with a thin 18K 5N gold disc. A sunburst finish is applied, followed by the guilloché work, tourbillon aperture cutting, and blue coloring. The constellation patterns are then machined to reveal the gold base in delicate tracery, sealed with protective varnish. The final touches include transfer-stamped minute and second tracks, the Vacheron Constantin name, applied white gold indexes with ribbed detailing, and the Maison’s Maltese Cross emblem.

Enhancing the deep blue dial, 96 baguette-cut blue sapphires (~3.87 carats) are channel-set into the bezel, crown, lugs, and buckle, requiring 27 hours of meticulous gem-setting. The channel-setting technique creates a seamless, floating circle of sapphires, amplifying the celestial theme. The linear geometry of the sapphires echoes the fine lines of the guilloché and the ribbed white gold indexes, creating a harmonious aesthetic.

At the heart of each Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial watch beats the Calibre 2160, a self-winding tourbillon movement that exemplifies Vacheron Constantin’s pursuit of mechanical elegance. Comprising 188 components and measuring only 5.65 mm in thickness, this ultra-thin movement operates at 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour), displaying hours, minutes, and small seconds via the tourbillon carriage. A 22K gold peripheral oscillating weight ensures an 80-hour power reserve while allowing an unobstructed view of the movement’s exquisite finishes, including perlage, Côtes de Genève, circular-grained wheels, and hand-polished screws. The tourbillon bar and Maltese Cross-shaped cage, accented by a heat-blued screw, further elevate the visual allure.

The Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial draws inspiration from humanity’s timeless fascination with the night sky. From Bronze Age Mesopotamia to ancient Greece and Rome, civilizations have woven myths and meanings into the constellations, with the 12 zodiac signs along the ecliptic holding particular significance in Western astrology. These signs, tied to the Sun’s seasonal cycle, have shaped cultural and astrological traditions for millennia. Vacheron Constantin’s collection captures this legacy, blending ancient mythology with modern craftsmanship.

The series builds on a single-piece edition from 2021, the Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Sky Chart Leo Constellation Jewellery, which introduced figurative guilloché to depict the Leo zodiac sign. This innovation paved the way for the Tribute to The Celestial series, which expands the concept across all 12 zodiac signs. The collection also reflects Vacheron Constantin’s rich history of celestial-themed timepieces, from the 1927 Art Deco zodiac table clock to the 2012 Legend of the Chinese Zodiac series and the 2017 Copernicus Celestial Spheres.

Presented in a 39 mm 18K white gold case, the Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial is a celebration of Vacheron Constantin’s 270-year legacy of artistry and innovation. Each reference is a unique work of art, combining the precision of haute horlogerie with the poetic beauty of the cosmos.