Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin opened up its Métiers d'Art "The master craftsmen of time" interactive watchmaking exhibition on Wed February 27, 2008 at Sotheby's in Beverly Hills. I felt very lucky to be invited to this amazing exhibit, and I also had the opportuni...  

I was there from 630-645ish. Went back over to the hotel but the suite was completely empty.

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Here's master watchmaker Mikael Conus assembling a tourbillon. At the age of 14, he began watchmaking school and finished at 18 yrs old; and since then, has been in the watchmaker profession for 10 years already. You wouldn't know he's already been doing ...  

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Here's me on the right looking through the microscope watching master enameler Jean Genbrugge apply some blue enamel on a dial. He's been an enameler for 30 years. On the very left is Lucie Misselyn who is still learning enameling for 1.5 years, and both ...  

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Sems that you had a big time, and that you saw some marvellous pieces... Now, I know where to complain if I have an issue with my enamel dial! LOL Best. nicolas

Here's master engraver Jeanne Ulrich who has been engraving for 7 years, and she says it takes around a week to engrave an entire movement. Here's a monogram engraving. Here's a video clip of Jeanne in action! This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai o...  

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Master guillocheur Supachai Wattanakanokthan demonstrates how to use the guilloche turning machine, and he's been guilloche'ing for 16 years! I noticed that his name sewed onto his white lab coat only had part of his last name, and he chuckled that his Th...  

These 4 masks of the Métiers d'Art - Les Masques belong to a private collection at the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva and highlights Vacheron's dedication to the art of engraving in watchmaking. 25 sets of these 4 mask watches will be made, and you must...  

I can't imagine wearing one or anyone wanting to wear one. Am I missing something? Is there some culture in the world where this makes more sense?

No - not our Art (Dr No) but for the sake of art. The celebration of the Arts & Crafts could be a driver like people who buy watches with dragon mokugane, lacquered or engraved dials. In this VC range, the decoration is brought forward as a shield/mask to... 

You've given me enough excellent pictures that I can change the masthead weekly for a long time to come! Thanks, Bill

. . . well past my bedtime, and I'm scrolling up and down this post like a kid who's just discovered a fascinating book . . . thanks, Anthony, for reporting of an event that I would've made time for if I'd known all of what was on display in advance . . .... 

so you can still go if you want to see the exhibition. See you later today! - Anthony This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2008-02-29 07:58:52

you must have been there all day to take all these pictures! It's so nice for you to have posted everyone's names because I sure couldn't remember. Thanks, Anthony! I sat with Mikael at dinner and talked extensively about watchmaking. He's really an aweso...