Vacheron Constantin has introduced the Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Quest of Time – a double-sided watch that celebrates the brand’s 270th anniversary. It is inspired by and a tribute to the La Quête du Temps Mechanique D’Art clock. Founded on 17th September 1755 in Geneva, VC is the oldest continuous watchmaker in existence.
Image: Christian Selmoni, VC’s Style & Heritage Director, standing next to the La Quête du Temps Mechanique D’Art clock. This once-in-a-lifetime astronomical clock is the inspiration for the Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Quest of Time.
Key Features
Functions
Front dial
Image: Poetic and philosophical, the Tribute to the Quest of Time is a result of 3 years of development. VC worked with astronomers at the Geneva Observatory to ascertain the exact position of the stars in Geneva on 17th September 1755, the date when a young Jean-Marc Vacheron established his workshop which over the course of many decades became Vacheron Constantin.
Double retrograde hours and minutes display. Choice of continuous display or standby mode – both on demand.
“When the Métiers d’Art – Tribute to the Quest of Time is in ‘active’ mode, the passage of the hours and minutes is visible at all times, with the arms functioning just like the hands on a standard watch dial. In ‘standby’ mode, with the timekeeping function running invisibly in the background, the arms of the figure remain in their neutral position until manually activated by a pusher at 10 o’clock in the case-side. After indicating the time, the arms return to neutral position when the pusher is reactivated.”
3D precision moon phase display and age of the moon. Can be adjusted manually any time without risk to the mechanism.
Double retrograde power reserve indicator. 6 to 3 on the left, and 3 to 0 on the right.
Image: From concept to reality.
“Enhanced by a blend of traditional artistic crafts and modern decorative techniques, the figure is set against a backdrop representing the constellations as seen from Geneva on the day of the Maison’s founding in 1755. It is complemented by a double retrograde power reserve indicator and a 3D precision moon phase with age of the moon.”
Reverse dial
Image: View of the stars and constellations as seen from the northern hemisphere. Notice the Poinçon de Genève or Geneva Seal on the left side and the brand’s 270th anniversary Maltese Cross emblem on the right.
Sky chart.
Sidereal day.
Dial
Front dial
Image: VC has considerable expertise in retrograde time-displays.
Made from double sapphire. “The dial is constructed from two layers of sapphire crystal. On the underside of the top crystal, the blue gradient effect and the 1755 sky chart are created by metallisation. The Vacheron Constantin logo is transfer-printed in golden powder, and the power reserve indications are transfer-printed in white. The second layer of the dial is fixed beneath the first, to protect the decoration from any form of damage.”
The three-dimensional figure is made from titanium and features golden treatment with a sandblasted patina finish. “The dial is dominated by a golden-coloured human figure that closely resembles the ‘Astronomer’ automaton incorporated into La Quête du Temps clock. The figure appears to be standing in the centre of the cosmos, represented by a graduated blue background decorated with a map of the stars, and a three-dimensional moon overhead.”
Image: One side of the 3D moon is golden PVD treated, and the other ‘dark side’ – deep blue PVD treated.
The 3D precision moon is made from titanium. It is hand engraved and PVD treated.
The two arcs for the hours (left) and minutes (right) are made from 18K white gold and feature an opaline finish. The 27 hour-markers (Roman numerals for hours) and (Arabic numerals for minutes) are made from 18K 3N yellow gold.
Reverse dial
Image: VC has considerable expertise in astronomical watches.
Made from sapphire crystal.
“On the back dial – where sidereal time is displayed and the movements of the constellations are tracked in real time (accurate to one day of variation in 9,130 years) – the celestial vault is laser-engraved onto the sapphire crystal case-back. Blue indications are applied by metallisation, yellow indications are transfer-printed and the month names are marked by gold powder transfer.”
Movement
Image: Front side (left) and reverse side (right). 4 patents have been filed for this movement.
Powered by Calibre 3670, a manually wound movement that drives the retrograde hours and minutes, 3D moon phase display, and retrograde sequential power reserve display on the front, and astronomical displays on the back. Diameter: 34 mm or 15 lignes. Thickness: 7.8 mm. Parts: 512. Jewels: 55. Frequency 36,000 vph or 5 Hz. Power reserve: 144 hours or 6 days provided by 3 barrels.
Movement features
“Governor for the retrograde time displays: solving the classical problem of synchronisation in retrograde displays caused by the hour and minute hands progressing at different speeds. This mechanism ensures that, for example at 11:59, when the two hands return to 00:00 or 12:00, they jump in perfect unison.”
“A notable feature of Calibre 3670 is the combination of a high frequency of 5 Hertz, (36,000 vibrations per hour) and three barrels that provide a power reserve of six days – also inspired by the Twin Beat Calibre 3610. The ‘dual-mode’ retrograde time display – on demand or running continuously – requires a lot of torque at the barrel and combining a long power reserve and high frequency minimises disturbance to the amplitude of the watch caused by the time display.”
Movement finishing
Calibre 3670 boasts VC’s exemplary movement finishing.
“All 512 components of Calibre 3670 are individually finished by hand, even those that are invisible once the watch is assembled. Rather than maximising the play of light on the movement components with a finish such as Côtes de Genève, circular satin brushing was applied to the bridges on both the front and the back of the calibre. This subtle and uniform finish was chosen to reduce reflections through the transparent sapphire crystal front dial and maximise legibility of the sky chart on the back dial.”
Case
Image: Designing the case requires considerable artistic expertise.
Made from 18K white gold (750/1000). Diameter: 43 mm. Thickness: 13.58 mm. Dial side and caseback feature a sapphire crystal. Water resistant up to 3 bar or approximately 30 metres.
It comes with a dark blue alligator leather strap with alligator lining, hand stitched with gold thread. It is fitted to a white gold triple folding clasp made from 18K white gold.
Our Thoughts
VC is a watchmaker I am familiar with, yet I am speechless as I write about the Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Quest of Time. During the past few months, they have unveiled a series of exceptional watches. These include the limited-edition Watches and Wonders 2025 releases (click here and here) to the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication, Overseas Grand Complication Openface, Les Cabinotiers Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface, Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Celestial, and new dial versions of the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin.
These creations make me wonder what horological juice the folks at VC are high on? Many watch brands would be fortunate to have any one of these grand or ultra grand complications in their catalogue once in their history. VC has all of them in the same year. Do not even get me started on the La Quête du Temps Mechanique D’Art astronomical clock – which we will cover soon. VC gives the term “Holy Trinity” an entirely new meaning.
Image: After 270 years of continuous operation, the Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Quest of Time is a bit of what the brand has learnt along the way. And they are not done yet.
The Tribute to the Quest of Time incorporates the brand’s expertise in Métiers d’Art, a poetic and philosophical retrograde time display, astronomy, and a badass hi-beat haute-horology movement – culminating in a watch that is breathtakingly gorgeous. 20 years ago, VC’s 250th anniversary watches were hailed as one of the greatest collections unveiled by a brand in a single year. Today – 20 years on – VC has outdone themselves (and the industry) once again. Horology is safe in their hands.
Additional Details
Name: Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Quest of Time
Reference: 7200A/000G-H103
Hallmarked with the Poinçon de Genève or Geneva Seal.
Price: Upon request. I reckon it will be priced in the CHF 400K range.
Limited to 20 individually numbered pieces.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
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