The new Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection is an invitation to marvel at the nocturnal journey above cities bubbling with creativity and excellence. On dials draped with an enamelled base deep shades, a wide variety of powders creates a bird’s-eye view miniature tableau of these sprawling urban expanses. Traditional Grand Feu champlevé enamelling mingles with hand applied precious powder – an art never yet used in Fine Watchmaking. The striking and realistic beauty of these Hallmark of Geneva certified timepieces opens up whole new artistic and creative horizons, where traditional skills are constantly nurtured by fresh influences.

The exceptional watch brand has dreamed up a sparkling encounter between two outstanding arts: Grand Feu champlevé enamelling, a skill that is said to have been passed down through three generations by the Vacheron Constantin artisans; and hand-applied precious powder, a technique mastered by Japanese guest artist Yoko Imai. Particles of gold, pearls, platinum and diamond are meticulously distilled one by one, giving the dial an incredible radiance. The bright dots of light, placed with the greatest precision, compose a portrait of these broad and majestic urban landscapes. The light effects play along side the striking realistic roads, rivers and famous landmarks. The first three models of the collection are dedicated to the nocturnal magic of Geneva, Paris and New York, with other major cities widely expected to make the cut.

Vacheron Constantin has depicted major cities – notably renowned for their artistic influence and the impact these places had on Vacheron Constantin. The miniature tableaus that Yoko Imai has composed faithfully reproduce the real ‘light cartography’ of the cities, with their various sorts of light, such as variously animated districts and even traffic density! This incredible meticulous work on the map of each city called for several weeks of research and trails on various base materials.

Vacheron Constantin invited the Japanese artist Yoko Imai to associate her art with that of the enamelling artisan. Trained by the great Japanese masters, she has developed her own artistic technique: calligraphy-inspired painting on canvas, inspired by precious powder. For veteran Constantin, she has adapted this process to the enamel of a watch dial, while creating a fascinating chiaroscuro effect. To ensure a true reflection of the city lights, her deft hands are guided by absolute mastery, unwavering concentration and a special sensitivity that only decades of learning and practice make possible.

The technique of applying precious powders borrows a fundamental principle from the art of calligraphy: an art of balance and purity. Using a thin stylus, the powder particles are individually affixed using a technique that remains a guarded secret. The luminous magic of the completed tableau depends on this extremely rigorous approach: each fragment is perfectly positioned in its rightful place and there is no room for anything random or superfluous.

The flyover begins with Geneva, the cradle of technical and precious watchmaking, renowned for having nurtured the art of miniature painting on enamel. Vacheron Constantin was born the heart of the town, in the St-Gervais district, where the cabinotiers had their workshop.

Then comes Paris, the ‘City of Lights’, a city harbouring artists, philosophers, writers and lovers, known the world over for the inimitable elegance of its style. The aerial view of the capital retraces the life of iconic landmarks such as the Place de l’Étoile and the Champs-Elysées, the Seine, as well as the Eiffel Tower famed for its light effects, viewed above and engraved in gold.

Finally New York, the city that never sleeps, a symbol of the ‘american dream’ and effervescence, where everything is possible. Reproducing it stretches the technique of applying precious powders to its absolute limits, Sprinkled across the Grand Feu enamel, tens of thousands of precious dots animate the luminous outlines of Manhattan Island with Central Park, the Hudson River and Brooklyn.

The timepieces of the Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection are certified by the Hallmark of Geneva, a sure token of precious and reliability issued by an entirely neutral and independent body. Manufacture Vacheron Constantin mechanical self-winding Caliber 2460SC drives a display of the hours, minutes and seconds. Visible through the transparent case-back, the 22k gold oscillating weight features a finely executed decoration inspired by the Maltese cross, the Vacheron Constantin signature emblem. Each componenet, whether visible or hidden, is adorned with finishes crafted in accordance with the finest watchmaking skills in the industry. The movement is protected by a precious 40mm 18k white gold case.