Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Les Aérostiers Versailles 1783 Ref. 7610U/000G-B244

Thehe Métiers d’Art Les Aérostiers collection was introduced at SIHH 2018. It is inspired by five historical baloon flights made in France in the 18th century. In this collection hand-engraved and micro-sculpted gold hot-air balloons are depicted against a translucent plique-à-jour enamel background, while hours, minutes, day and date are displayed to the beat of calibre 2460 G4/1. Each of the versions is a limited edition of five pieces. Métiers d'Art Les Aérostiers reference 7610U/000G-B244 is inspired by a balloon flight made in 1783 in Versailles, France. This “aerostatic experiment” carried a sheep, a rooster and a duck on board. Their survival would testify to the sufficiency of oxygen at a given altitude. Engraved in white gold, the basket and its floating ropes, having been slightly damaged by the landing, are perfectly visible beneath the opulent 5N gold balloon.