Beauty & Style | Thursday 11 June, 2015 2:24 pm |

Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest Haute Horlogerie manufacture recently held an elite VIP Collector’s preview in the Presidential suite of the Emirates Towers hotel in Dubai. This exceptional event heralded the launch of three striking collections from the brand, namely the Harmony Collection, the Metiers d’Art Collection and the High Jewellery Collection. The event was attended by 15 niche collectors from the region.

Some stunning timepieces from the collections were on display such as the Harmony dual time small model, Harmony chronograph small model, Harmony chronograph men's, Dual Time men's (7810S/000G-B050), Dual Time men's (7810S/000R-B051), Patrimony, Overseas Gold Complications, Overseas Dual Time Men, Traditionnelle Men Manual PT, Traditionnelle high jewellery, Open work perpetual calendar, Metiers d'Art Fabuleux Ornements - Ottoman architecture and Metiers d'Art Fabuleux Ornements - Chinese embroidery. The highlights among the pieces on display though, were the following timepieces:

Harmony Chronograph (5300S/000R-B055): On the occasion of the 260th anniversary of its founding, the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin unveiled its new collection called Harmony. At the heart of these generous cases with their reinvented aesthetic beat new calibers – entirely designed, developed and produced in-house – focused on monopusher chronographs. This Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece possesses the mechanical, manual-winding 3300 caliber with approximately 65 hours of power reserve, 252 components and 35 jewels. The Balance cock is hand-engraved with a dedicated 260th anniversary pattern. The timepiece boasts of an 18K 5N pink gold case and has a transparent sapphire crystal caseback. The silvered opaline dial features Blue painted Arabic numerals and a red painted pulsimeter scale and the strap is crafted of Brown Mississippiensis Alligator leather.

Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements – Ottoman architecture: Chamfering, mother-of-pearl, and half-pearl beads. The ethereal calibre is magnificently reflected by the chamfered pink gold moucharaby (wooden lattice) motif formed by the dial and of which every edge is delicately bevelled by hand. Daintily perched on a natural white mother-of-pearl base, the gold gridwork studded with half-pearl beads echoes the majesty of the scrolling patterns in Middle Eastern architecture. The meticulously executed decoration on the rings, known as milgrain and featuring strings of tiny bead shapes coined along the edges, add to the magic of the workmanship. The enchanted world of the Arabian nights continues in the arabesques of the calibre, also embellished with engravings.

Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements – Chinese embroidery: Glyptics, gemstone cloisonné work and engraving. Crafted in pink gold according to the cloisonné technique, the dial is carpeted with flowers in rubies, cuprites and garnets. Like the silk thread Chinese embroideries embellished with precious fabrics, the graceful elegance of the stones cut and sculpted according to the glyptic art are adorned with finely engraved gold leaves and pistils. Concern for detail taken to extremes, as epitomised in the veins of the plants and the rounded shape of the petals, endow this ornamentation with a fascinating depth effect. The particularly delicate ruby engraving is a true challenge. The pink opals are individually cut and lapped to form a tapestry of stones on a dial prepared for this purpose with barely 0.5 mm thin white gold partitions. The impressive finesse of the work accomplished by the master lapidaries and engravers pays a vibrant tribute to the traditional art of embroidery exercised for millennia in China.