AnthonyTsai
[PuristS]
22366
PART Ia. The Master Watchmaker
(Note: descriptions are from the display case themselves)
Patrimony Contemporaine Retrograde Day and Date - 18k Pink gold case, self-winding movement, day and Date with retrograde hands, sivered opaline dial, circular grained minute circle, 12 applied hours markers in 18k pink gold, caliber 2460 R31 R7, hallmark of Geneva
Ref: 86020
Patrimony Traditionnelle Self-Winding - 18k white gold case, self-winding movement, seconds at 9 o'clock, date window, silvered opaline background dial, applied gold numerals, caliber 2455, hallmark of Geneva
Ref: 87172
Patrimony Extra Slim - 18k white gold case, manual winding movement, sapphire caseback, caliber 1003, hallmark of Geneva
Ref: 33093
250th Anniversary Collection - Tour de I'lle - 18k pink gold case, manual winding movement, minute repeater, tourbillon, power reserve, second timezone, moonphase, striking-mechanism torque, perpetual calendar, equation of time, power reserve, caliber 2750, hallmark of Geneva
Ref: 80250
Vacheron's Tour de I'lle is the most complicated wristwatch ever produced in series; and if I remember correctly, costs over US $1 Million+! I regret not asking to see if someone could take the watch out so I can strap it to my wrist 
and I would have loved to hear the minute repeater in action. I'm pretty sure the answer would have been no but I should have at least tried. You never know right? 
The last time I saw this watch was at the 250th year VC Exhibition many years ago at Tourneau's flagship store in NYC, and I was drooling over this VC. I currently don't own any VC's and I hope someday the Tour de I'lle will be my first VC **bonks self in order to wake up and stop dreaming and drooling**
This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2008-02-27 22:17:45
Available on the marketplace
817 Vacheron Constantin listings are live on the eBay market and 207 collector listings on the WatchProSite marketplace.
Vacheron Constantin's Métiers d'Art interactive watchmaking exhibition in Beverly Hills
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...
were you there, AT?
I was there from 630-645ish. Went back over to the hotel but the suite was completely empty.
PART Ib. The Master Watchmaker Interactive
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 ...
PART IIb. The Enameler Interactive
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 ...
Fantastic report, AT
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
PART IIIb: The Engraver Interactive
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...
PART IVb. The Guillocheur Interactive
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...
PART V: Métiers d'Art - Les Masques
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 really don't get the mask collection
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?
Art would.......
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...
Wonderful reporting, Anthony....
You've given me enough excellent pictures that I can change the masthead weekly for a long time to come! Thanks, Bill
I can't believe it's almost 1:20 AM . . .
. . . 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 . . ....
The exhibition is still on display until Saturday
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
Wow, great report! I thought I spent a lot of time at the exhibition..
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...
