The Métiers d’Art Les Univers Infinis collection is the second series inspired by Dutch artist Maurits Cornelis Escher, paying tribute to the geometric artistry of tessellation. These three limited-edition timepieces (each limited to 20 pieces) blend multiple Vacheron Constantin artisanal crafts — engraving, grand feu enameling, gem-setting, guilloché engraving, and innovative gold and mother-of-pearl marquetry — representing a masterful symphony of traditional craftsmanship.
“Angels” Watch – Hand Engraving, Guilloché, and Grand Feu Enamel
On this mesmerizing dial, angels and demons intertwine in perfect contrast, symbolizing the eternal balance of light and darkness. Inspired by Escher’s studies on “circular limits,” the design radiates outward with infinite repetition. Each motif merges engraving, enamel painting, and guilloché to create a dazzling play of depth and reflection. The engraver first carves the outlines into the white gold base, then hollows the interiors to allow for champlevé enamel. Fine copperplate engraving captures the demonic details before the enameller fills each recess with precision enamel. Multiple firings bring out subtle grey and blue hues, and a final layer of transparent enamel glaze enhances depth. The guilloché artisan then engraves the angels’ robes and wings—a process so delicate that a single mistake could ruin weeks of work.
“Lizards” Watch – Hand Engraving, Grand Feu Enamel, Gem Setting, and Guilloché
The red and brown lizards glimmer vividly, brought to life through a blend of enamel, diamond setting, and engraved texture. Inspired by Escher’s print “Reptiles,” the design uses four ancient crafts to achieve a lifelike scene. The engraver outlines each lizard on a gold base, after which the enameller applies gray-brown enamel to the southern lizards and deep red enamel to the western ones. Gem setters adorn certain lizards with round-cut diamonds, while the guilloché master meticulously carves scales so fine they measure mere fractions of a millimeter, infusing the dial with motion and vitality.
“Knights” Watch – Hand Engraving and Gold & Mother-of-Pearl Marquetry
The heroic Turkish knights, crafted in shimmering gold and mother-of-pearl, gallop across the dial in radiant symmetry. This ancient marquetry technique dates back to Egyptian, Byzantine, and Venetian artistry, where precious materials were inlaid into wood or ivory to form intricate patterns. Each knight is carved separately and then assembled like a miniature mosaic puzzle with no visible seams. Mother-of-pearl, being fragile and iridescent, requires exceptional finesse to ensure perfect tonal harmony and curvature alignment with gold. Finally, the engraver adds exquisite details to the knights and their steeds, bringing them to life.
Métiers d’Art Les Univers Infinis Timepieces
Each watch features an 18K white gold case (40mm diameter, 8.90mm thick), sapphire crystal front and back, and houses the Caliber 2460 SC automatic movement with 27 jewels, 22K gold rotor, 40-hour power reserve, and the Poinçon de Genève hallmark. Completed with a hand-stitched black Mississippi alligator strap and a polished half-Maltese cross white gold buckle, the watch is water-resistant to 30 meters.
