Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Les Univers Infinis Shell Ref. 86222/000G-9726

Launched at SIHH 2012, the 'Les Univers Infinis' represented a new addition to the Métiers d'Art series, inspired by the work of the Dutch artist Maurits Cornelis Escher. The watches in this collection represent an exceptional alliance between the artistic crafts cultivated by the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin: engraving, enamelling, gemsetting and guilloché work. On the 'Shell Watch', shells and starfish form a luminous ochre-tinged seabed swept over by slender light skeletonised hands. The interlocking shells and starfish stage a fascinating dance which, depending on the light, showcases various details of their anatomy. Crafted using engraving and champlevé enamelling techniques, the dial of this “Métiers d’Art – Les Univers Infinis” watch is inspired by the work of the artist Maurits Cornelis Escher. First of all, the engraver traces the shapes of the shells on the dial using a drypoint and then hollows out the fields or cavities while protecting their outlines in order to create a relief engraving using this champlevé technique. Then comes the turn of the enameller, who fills the cavities with enamels before firing them several times at a temperature of 800° to 850°C. Several firings are required to complete this work, which is perfected by lapping-polishing and glazing-varnishing. The engraver sets the final touch by engraving the surface of the starfish. The champlevé enamelling technique calls for excellent mutual understanding and cooperation between the two artisans and which will strongly influence the final result, since any discordance could jeopardise their joint work.