Vacheron Constantin Unveils Métiers d’Art “Year of the Horse”

A cultural calendar interpreted through fine watchmaking

Vacheron Constantin’s latest Métiers d’Art release turns attention to the Chinese calendar with a pair of limited editions marking the Year of the Horse. The newest additions to the maison’s ongoing zodiac series carry the quiet rigor of fine watchmaking into a territory where tradition and craft converge.

Presented in 40 mm cases of 18 k 5N pink gold and 950 platinum, each reference is limited to 25 pieces and reserved for Vacheron Constantin boutiques. The choice of metals and the scale of production reflect a measured approach to exclusivity, emphasising presence over spectacle.

The dial follows the lineage of Métiers d’Art timepieces by placing artisanal technique at the centre of design. Grand Feu enamelling, miniature painting, and hand engraving combine to create a three-dimensional motif of the horse in motion. The animal, a longstanding symbol in Chinese culture associated with vitality and good fortune, is rendered with depth and restraint rather than flourish, set against a graduated enamelled background that shifts subtly in tone.

Inside each piece sits Vacheron Constantin’s Calibre 2460 G4. The automatic movement uses a disc-based display rather than conventional hands, allowing the dial space to remain free for decoration. Hours and minutes appear at the top, with day and date shown discretely below, a layout that prioritises the métier d’art work without compromising utility.

Straps in Mississippiensis alligator leather accompany each version, brown with the pink gold and blue with the platinum, paired with clasps that mirror the case metal. The effect is cohesive rather than decorative, calibrated to the materials and the overall composition of each reference.

This new release underscores Vacheron Constantin’s longstanding commitment to the Métiers d’Art series, where decorative arts, cultural reference, and mechanical expertise align. The Year of the Horse watches do not seek to reinvent the collection but to continue a disciplined exploration of craft that has defined the maison’s approach for generations.