Vacheron Constantin La Quete du Temps Clock

patrick_y · 2025-09-24T08:38:51Z

Explore Vacheron Constantin's 'La Quête du Temps' clock, a masterpiece of horological art with automaton, chiming, and astronomical features. Discover collector insights.

patrick_y

WPS member · Vacheron Constantin forum

35 replies2897 views5 photos

Patrick_y introduces the Vacheron Constantin 'La Quête du Temps' clock, a monumental horological creation celebrating the Maison's 270th anniversary. His initial post highlights the clock's intricate automaton, chiming features, and astronomical indications, inviting readers to appreciate its unparalleled craftsmanship. This article delves into the community's reactions and further insights, building upon patrick_y's initial presentation of this unique piece.

Vacheron Constantin has created an incredible clock with an automaton feature, a chiming feature, astronomical indications, and more. Seven years in the making, over a meter in height, 200+ kilograms, 6293 parts, this is definitely an incredible clock.

The automaton has 144 unique positions. The chiming feature incorporates several different gongs to produce different tones and sequences. The entire piece has a 15 day power reserve and countless complications.

La Quete du Temps is on display at The Louvre Museum in Paris until 12-November-2025.

The piece is a unique piece, no price is listed. This piece is part of Vacheron Constantin's 270th anniversary celebration!

The mid section has two sides. This is the back side. Featuring a constellation chart.

The clock essentially has three separate sections; the top is the sphere with the automaton; the middle has celestial indications and a perpetual calendar indication. And the bottom houses the memory system and gears that control much of the automaton system, the chiming system, and more.

The automaton has 144 different positions and has a mechanical memory system.

The clock is made of various types of stone, but the transparent panels in the lower tripartite are not glass nor sapphire, they are rock crystal!

As a clock fanatic, I have had the pleasure of experiencing many automatons and their restorers, Miki Eleta's creations, the Van Cleef and Arpels automaton clocks. This one is truly a special piece. A heartfelt congratulations to Vacheron Constantin, the team behind this clock, and I wish the Maison a very happy 270th birthday. Bravo. Bravo Vacheron Constantin.

Key Points from the Discussion

The 'La Quête du Temps' clock is a result of a collaborative effort involving over a dozen individuals and seven years of development, underscoring Vacheron Constantin's 270 years of continuous operation.
The transparent panels in the lower tripartite section of the clock are crafted from rock crystal, not glass or sapphire, a detail that enhances its holistic design theme.
A contributor had the opportunity to see the 'La Quête du Temps' in person at The Louvre, noting that Vacheron Constantin had two representatives on-site to explain the clock and activate its automaton for the public.
Despite the appreciation in the art and watch markets, the clock market remains stagnant due to cultural beliefs (e.g., in Chinese culture, clocks are not given as gifts) and the lack of clocks as status symbols compared to watches.
Many watch collectors with high-value watch collections surprisingly do not own clocks exceeding 20,000 Euros, indicating a disparity in market appreciation between watches and clocks.
The complexity and beauty of the 'La Quête du Temps' clock are so profound that it would be easy to spend hours observing its intricate details, a sentiment echoed by those who appreciate such horological artistry.

The Discussion

EinPA

Sep 24, 2025

sets the holy trinity apart from the independents. The willingness to make a thing with no other reason than to make it.

quattro

Sep 24, 2025

The 'bras-en-l'air' wristwatch seems nice too. Thanks for sharing this. Best, Emmanuel

patrick_y

Sep 24, 2025

Breguet isn't even considered among the "Big Three" and Breguet has made impressive clocks that likely surpass AP's finest and most elaborate clock. Miki Eleta's Hammock Clock Miki Eleta's Svemir (Universe) clock. One of my favorite creations of his. My absolute favorite Miki Eleta clock; Passage of Time. One of the six finalists for the clock category for the GPHG 2023. No computers, no CNC.

patrick_y

Sep 24, 2025

I might try to see it in October as well! Maybe we will have a little rendezvous in the First Arrondissement!

Marc Obermann

Sep 24, 2025

I can't even imagine how many man hours it took to design it and then the number of skilled artisans it took to build this incredible clock. It is so beautiful and complex if I was ever fortunate enough to see it in person I could get lost in just looking at it for hours. Also those other clocks are also really stunning so thank you for this post as I otherwise doubt I would even know they existed. Marc.

patrick_y

Sep 24, 2025

Do you find it a little unusual, the art market has progressed and appreciated so much. The watch market has appreciated so much. But the clock market is so stagnant. There are a few reasons for this. The two biggest reasons slowing down clocks; 1, cultural; the Chinese community believes that clocks can never be given as a gift as it symbolizes your time is up whereas watches are given as gifts in every culture; 2, watches and art are seen as status symbols, clocks aren't. But with the many wat

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the Vacheron Constantin forum with 35 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →

Vacheron Constantin La Quete du Temps Clock

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

More from this Forum