Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Les Univers Infinis Lizard Ref. 86222/000G-9834

Part of the second series of the Les Univers Infinis collection, inspired by the work of the Dutch artist Maurits Cornelis Escher, the 'Lizard' was introduced in 2013. The collection displays a blend of the Artistic Crafts cultivated by the Geneva-based manufacture: engraving, enamelling, gemsetting, guilloché work and the new technique of gold and mother-of-pearl marquetry. Red, brown, gem-set or silver-toned, the lizards take over the dial to create a captivatingly animated effect. Inspired by one of the Dutch artist’s lithographs named Reptiles, the watch springs to life beneath the intermingled effect of four ancestral decorative arts. The engraver begins his work by hollowing out the motifs from a yellow gold base. The enameler then fills in the lizards heading southwards with a taupe-colored enamel, while those going west are coated in crimson red. The gem-setter then chooses to adorn the coats of certain reptiles with round-cut diamonds and finally, the master guillocheur dexterously enlivens the remaining lizards by highlighting their tiny scales measuring just a few tenths of a millimeter.