With 2017 less than two months away, Swiss luxury brand Vacheron Constantin has unveiled two new limited edition watches to commemorate the upcoming Chinese New Year in January 28, which will usher in the Year of the Rooster.

The two new creations are part of its Métiers d’Art collections, works of art that demonstrate the expertise of the brand’s master craftsmen.

The two watches in the ‘Métiers d’Art Legend of the Chinese zodiac Chinois – Year of The Rooster’ series bear the Hallmark of Geneva. Limited to 12 pieces each, they combine the technical excellence of caliber 2460 G4 with the beauty of artistic crafts.

For these watches, the brand’s master engravers and enamellers offer a new interpretation of the art of paper-cutting – known as jianzhi in China, and scherenschnitt in Swiss culture. 

The foliage motif appearing on the dial and based on classic Chinese iconography is etched directly in the metal. The pattern remains semi-embedded and stands out from its gold base by a subtle stage-setting of variously accentuating reliefs creating a depth effect. This makes the vegetation appear to be floating over the dial.

Then comes the grand feu enamelling. The enamel is applied in successive layers to enhance the intensity of the blue or bronze-toned dial, before being fired before being fired at temperatures between 800 and 900 deg C. This process calls for an expertise that can only be acquired over long years of experience. 

The rooster, made of platinum or pink gold, is hand engraved and delicately applied to the dial centre.

The caliber 2460 G4 makes it possible to create a distinctive setting for the decorative arts, by giving the central dial motif a starring role. The hands-free time display is achieved through four apertures showing the hours, minutes, days and dates. These indications – the first two of the dragging variety and the last two of the jumping type –embody the longstanding savoir-faire of the maison in designing and developing original displays. 

Clearly visible through the sapphire crystal back of the platinum or pink gold case, the 22-carat oscillating weight is adorned with a recurrent Maltese cross pattern testifying to finishes performed in keeping with the finest watchmaking traditions. 

All movement components are finely finished in accordance with the criteria of the Hallmark of Geneva.