Vacheron Constantin has evolved over the years from their position in the shadows of their fellow "Holy Trinity" members, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, to a watchmaker that is revered throughout the entire watchmaking industry. Crucial to this development was their attractive dress watches and high-end expressions of craftsmanship, of which we have a modrn example here, the Metiers D'Art Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake ref. 86073/000R-H034. Launched in 2024 as a limited edition of just 25 pieces, this 40mm x 12.72mm 18kt rose gold watch boasts a relatively understated construction that serves to highlight the incredible amount of work and craftsmanship that has gone into creating its dial, which depicts a cobra sitting on a rock formation with a blue sky behind it and orange leaves overhead. Powered by the automatic cal. 2460 G4/3, the ref. 86073/000R-H034 boasts four apertures in the corners of its display with its hour, minutes, day, and date functions spread out as much as possible to give the dial’s incredible craftsmanship as much real estate as possible. The result of three days of hand-engraving, the cobra and rocks sit on top of the rest of the dial which was created by a master enameller, with the blue sky made with gradient Grand Feu enamel which darkens as it reaches the periphery. The foliage was then created using an ancestral Geneva technique known as flux-coated miniature opaque enamel to create a dial that is simply exceptional and without equal.

An incredibly well-executed timepiece that expands upon Vacheron's decades of excellence within the arena of truly high-end craftsmanship and watchmaking, this is one to have for those who appreciate the rare and wonderful.