Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre: A Harmonious Marriage of Time, Art, and Culture

Vacheron Constantin, one of the oldest continuously operating watch manufacturers in the world, has maintained an enduring commitment to art and culture since its establishment. This passion found a fitting partner in the Louvre Museum in Paris. It’s one of the world’s most renowned art institutions. Their unique collaboration began in 2019. Aiming to offer clients more than just a personalized watch; instead, it promises an immersive artistic experience reaching far beyond the wrist.

The partnership’s first notable fruit was Les Cabinotiers – Homage to Pierre Paul Rubens, La lutte pour l’étendard de la Bataille d’Anghiari. This single-piece edition watch was designed for the “Bid for the Louvre” auction in 2020. A new endeavor from this illustrious partnership, “A Masterpiece on the Wrist,” is now being proposed by Vacheron Constantin. This exciting experiential offer expands the boundaries of watchmaking, intertwining it with the grandeur of art and history encapsulated by the Louvre.

“A Masterpiece on Your Wrist” is a unique offering, enabling the creation of a bespoke single-piece edition watch. The dial of this exclusive timepiece will boast an enamel reproduction of an artwork tucked away in the Louvre Museum’s vast collection, chosen personally by the purchaser. Many of these works are not on regular display, making each watch a secret window into the depths of the Louvre. The museum will provide a certificate of authenticity to vouch for the artwork’s reproduction.

The experience does not end with the creation of this exceptional timepiece. It also encompasses a private tour of the Louvre, guided by its experts, and a visit to the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin. Here, clients can meet the master watchmakers and master artisans responsible for bringing their timepiece to life.

A Tradition Reimagined: The Cabinotiers and the Continuation of a Long-term Partnership

Vacheron Constantin’s newest initiative is a brilliant reimagining of a traditional practice from the Age of Enlightenment. On 17 September 1755, Jean-Marc Vacheron, the brand’s founder, signed his first apprenticeship contract with a young watchmaker in Geneva. The artisans of that time worked in attic spaces, dubbed ‘dome’ due to the natural daylight they let in. These artisans were known as cabinotiers, a name and a tradition Vacheron Constantin continues to honor today with its commitment to exceptional craftsmanship.

This collaboration between Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre is more than a marriage of art and horology. It’s a commitment to preserving history, culture, and heritage. The partnership commenced in 2016 when Vacheron Constantin supported the restoration of the clock named The Creation of the World. It’s a major work of 18th-century precision horology. The clock was presented to King Louis XV in 1754 and entrusted to the Louvre by the Musée National des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon.

“We are writing an extremely promising joint history by combining our fields of competence and our wildest dreams,” expressed Louis Ferla, CEO of Vacheron Constantin. She lauded the collaboration as a fruitful exchange filled with a shared desire to serve Beauty.

Embodying the Past, Present, and Future: A Testament to Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre Museum

The partnership is a testament to the two institutions. Institutions shared reverence for history, culture, heritage, and the passion for art and craftsmanship. In the words of Laurence des Cars, “Born in the Age of Enlightenment. Our two institutions share the mission of passing on a passion for art, heritage and the excellence of ancestral craftsmanship. While firmly rooted in history, they are resolutely open to the contemporary world.”

The collaboration also features the donation of a unique Les Cabinotiers for the “Bid for the Louvre” online auction. This exclusive watches, with its dial bearing a remade of a work of art preserved in the museum.

The selected artwork was Pierre Paul Rubens’ “La lutte pour l’étendard de la Bataille d’Anghiari.” The Flemish painter had purchased and retouched this sheet depicting the Battle of Anghiari during his stay in Italy in the early 17th century.

The collaboration between Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre Museum represents a confluence of timeless values and future aspirations. It is a testament to their shared commitment to art, culture, and history. Through “A Masterpiece on the Wrist,” they are crafting an exceptional experience. An experience that combines the personal touch of a bespoke watch and the private exploration of world-class art. The legacy of Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre continues to evolve, promising further enthralling endeavors to come.

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