One of the most impressive revelations at the past SIHH 2012 came from the watchmaker masters at Vacheron Constantin who presented a new limited edition to the Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Les Univers Infinis collection. 

The Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Les Univers Infinis really tries to make the universe infinite with a masterful craftsmanship of only 20 pieces with an incredible design inspired by the work of Dutch artist M.C. Escher, who was in turn inspired by Moorish art. The repeated graphic patterns gives this timepiece a sense or order, symmetry and geometry by using the “tessellation” technique. 

There are three different models, all limited edition of the Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Les Univers Infinis. The Dove watch features hand-guilloché work in its final phase of craftsmanship and one bird in this ethereal scene has been diamond-set with 38 brilliant-cut stones. The Fish watch features cloisonné enamelling, achieved by first marking each outline using fine gold wire before the enamelling process. The Shell watch features champlevé engraving – each field is hollowed out individually before the enamelling work is added.

Each piece of the Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Les Univers Infinis houses the Vacheron Constantin manufacture Calibre 2460SC with 40 hours of power reserve inside a 40mm case made of 18K gold. 

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the creation of the first Malte models, Vacheron Constantin has presented at the SIHH 2012 four new models to the collection with an updated shaped redesign. 

Vacheron Constantin launched the first tonneau or barrel-shaped cases in 1912. From the earliest days, the shape became associated with high style, and with the finest horological complications. In modern times, the Malte collection made its debut in 2000. At SIHH 2012, Vacheron Constantin introduced four newly redesigned Malte models, three of which are powered by movements that have earned the new Geneva Hallmark. 

The new four designs are the Malte Tourbillon, the largest piece in the collections; the Malte Small Seconds, presented in a slightly smaller case as the Tourbillon; the Malte 100th Anniversary Edition, a limited editions piece with “exploding” Roman numerals; and the Malte Small Model, a fine timepiece in 18K pink gold with a diamond-set bezel. 

The Malte 100th Anniversary Edition is scheduled to be launched in September; the Malte Tourbillon and the Malte Small Seconds are scheduled to be launched in November; and the launched date for the Malte Small Model is yet to be determined. 

Embracing its role as the patron of the Geneva’s Musee d’Art et d’Histoire and on the ocasion of the “Watchmaking in Geneva. The Magic of craftmanship, Treasure of Gold and Enamel” event, Vacheron Constantin will present an exhibition of its Heritage collection. 

Vacheron Constantin will be presenting an exhibition at the Geneva Musée d’Art et d’Histoire from December 15th 2011 to January 22nd 2012, stemming from its Heritage collection and entitled “Watches with special displays… various ways of telling the time”.

The pieces that Vacheron Constantin will be presenting at the exhibition are: 

1. Calendar watch, end of 18th century

Brass dial with chased floral motifs, subdivided in three smaller enamel dials for the date, the day of the week, the hours and the minutes.

Calibre 20’’, date, day of the week, round, in gilt brass, crown-wheel escapement, three-arm annular balance, barrel with chain and fusee, chased balance-cock. Diameter: 46mm.

2. Pocket watch, jumping hours, 1929

18K yellow gold and white gold, guilloché silver dial.

Caliber RA 17'' (thickness: 15/12), round, in rhodium plated German silver, lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, "Breguet" balance-spring, simple regulator, 18 jewels. Diameter: 45mm.

3. Art deco clock retrograding display, 1928

Vacheron Constantin & Verger Frères creation 18K yellow gold, platinum, rock crystal, agate, onyx, lapis lazuli, enamel and diamonds.

Caliber RA 19’’, 8 day, round, in brass, lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, “Breguet” balance-spring, simple regulator, 17 jewels.

110x 190x 59 mm (height, width, depth) Collection Privée.

4. Arms up “chinese wizard” pocket watch, 1930"

Vacheron Constantin & Verger Frères creation.

Yellow gold and white gold, silvered satin-finish dial with engraved yellow gold and enamelled “Chinese wizard” indicating the hours and the minutes with his arms.

Caliber RA 17'' (thickness: 15/12) "arms up", round, in rhodium-plated German silver, lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, flat balance-spring, simple regulator, 18 jewels. Diameter: 45mm.

5. Pocket watch world time, 1946

18K yellow gold, silvered dial triple-zone dial, central zone with 12 hours-makers, second rotating zone with 24 hours in Arabic numerals, exterior zone with indication of the time in 31 of the world’s major cities, reference time zone New York.

Caliber RA 17'' (thickness: 15/12), World Time, round, in German silver, lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, "Breguet" balance-spring, simple regulator, 18 jewels. Diameter: 45mm.