Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Chagall & l’Opéra de Paris

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the "Friends of  Paris Opera", Vacheron Constantin present a very special and unique piece, the Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Chagall & l’Opéra de Paris "Tribute to Famous Composers".

Preservation of applied arts is an integral part of the philosophy at Vacheron Constantin, a commitment evident in the brand's Métiers d’Art collection.  The latest piece sets a new standard in what can be achieved in miniature Grand Feu enamel painting techniques.

In 1963 the French Minister of Culture commissioned the Russian-born artist Marc Chagall to re-paint the 220 square metre ceiling of the Paris Opéra also known as Palais Garnier.  Taking one year to complete, he created a vividly colourful tribute to honour the greatest composers, a work split into five sections each featuring a dominant colour - blue, green, white, yellow and red.

For their Métiers d’Art Chagall & l’Opéra de Paris watch Vacheron Constantin achieved a seemingly impossible task - to reproduce Chagall's entire artwork in miniature on an enamel dial measuring just 31mm.  The challenge took over three and a half months to complete using traditional techniques.  The result is beyond exquisite.

At the edge of the hand painted enamel dial tiny little Nymph heads each measuring 2mm (also a feature of the Palais ceiling) have been reproduced and the resplendent artwork is framed by a trim polished gold bezel.  Inside is Vacheron Constantin's automatic Calibre 2460.

The collection will consist of 15 unique pieces.  The remaining 14 will be created over the next two years and each will honour one of the composers featured on the original ceiling painting.  The first piece in the collection featured here is quite literally priceless, it will not be sold and will remain part of the Vacheron Constantin collection.