Art would.......

Feb 28, 2008,21:03 PM
 

No  -  not our Art (Dr No) but for the sake of art.

The celebration of the Arts & Crafts could be a driver like people who buy watches with dragon mokugane, lacquered or engraved dials. In this VC range, the decoration is brought forward as a shield/mask to highlight the art but also, and even greater watchmaking art to make the orbiting mechanism behind the mask that tells time.

I must admit that 2 ladies I asked, separately but spookily congruently, commented that they are freaked out by masks in general, and would never have a watch from this range !  smile

Maybe it's a girly thing?

Regards,

MTF

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Vacheron Constantin's Métiers d'Art interactive watchmaking exhibition in Beverly Hills

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 27th, 2008-21:24
Vacheron Constantin opened up its Métiers d'Art "The master craftsmen of time" interactive watchmaking exhibition on Wed February 27, 2008 at Sotheby's in Beverly Hills. I felt very lucky to be invited to this amazing exhibit, and I also had the opportuni...  

were you there, AT?

 
 By: SteveH : February 27th, 2008-21:48
I was there from 630-645ish. Went back over to the hotel but the suite was completely empty.

PART Ia. The Master Watchmaker

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 27th, 2008-21:51
...  

PART Ib. The Master Watchmaker Interactive

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 27th, 2008-22:04
Here's master watchmaker Mikael Conus assembling a tourbillon. At the age of 14, he began watchmaking school and finished at 18 yrs old; and since then, has been in the watchmaker profession for 10 years already. You wouldn't know he's already been doing ...  

added video inside [nt]

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 28th, 2008-09:45

PART IIa: The Enameler

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 27th, 2008-22:32
...  

PART IIb. The Enameler Interactive

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 27th, 2008-22:54
Here's me on the right looking through the microscope watching master enameler Jean Genbrugge apply some blue enamel on a dial. He's been an enameler for 30 years. On the very left is Lucie Misselyn who is still learning enameling for 1.5 years, and both ...  

PART IIIa. The Engraver

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 27th, 2008-23:13
...  

Fantastic report, AT

 
 By: amanico : February 27th, 2008-23:26
Sems that you had a big time, and that you saw some marvellous pieces... Now, I know where to complain if I have an issue with my enamel dial! LOL Best. nicolas

Hhehe LOL yup!

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 28th, 2008-09:59

PART IIIb: The Engraver Interactive

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 27th, 2008-23:38
Here's master engraver Jeanne Ulrich who has been engraving for 7 years, and she says it takes around a week to engrave an entire movement. Here's a monogram engraving. Here's a video clip of Jeanne in action! This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai o...  

added a video inside (nt)

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 28th, 2008-08:49

PART IVa. The Guillocheur

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 27th, 2008-23:39
...  

PART IVb. The Guillocheur Interactive

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 27th, 2008-23:40
Master guillocheur Supachai Wattanakanokthan demonstrates how to use the guilloche turning machine, and he's been guilloche'ing for 16 years! I noticed that his name sewed onto his white lab coat only had part of his last name, and he chuckled that his Th...  

added video inside (nt)

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 28th, 2008-09:19

PART V: Métiers d'Art - Les Masques

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 28th, 2008-00:59
These 4 masks of the Métiers d'Art - Les Masques belong to a private collection at the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva and highlights Vacheron's dedication to the art of engraving in watchmaking. 25 sets of these 4 mask watches will be made, and you must...  

I really don't get the mask collection

 
 By: SteveH : February 28th, 2008-07:31
I can't imagine wearing one or anyone wanting to wear one. Am I missing something? Is there some culture in the world where this makes more sense?

Art would.......

 
 By: MTF : February 28th, 2008-21:03
No - not our Art (Dr No) but for the sake of art. The celebration of the Arts & Crafts could be a driver like people who buy watches with dragon mokugane, lacquered or engraved dials. In this VC range, the decoration is brought forward as a shield/mask to... 

Totally agree MTF

 
 By: Z3 : February 28th, 2008-22:00

Wonderful reporting, Anthony....

 
 By: WHL : February 28th, 2008-11:29
You've given me enough excellent pictures that I can change the masthead weekly for a long time to come! Thanks, Bill

I can't believe it's almost 1:20 AM . . .

 
 By: Dr No : February 29th, 2008-01:23
. . . well past my bedtime, and I'm scrolling up and down this post like a kid who's just discovered a fascinating book . . . thanks, Anthony, for reporting of an event that I would've made time for if I'd known all of what was on display in advance . . .... 

The exhibition is still on display until Saturday

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 29th, 2008-07:58
so you can still go if you want to see the exhibition. See you later today! - Anthony This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2008-02-29 07:58:52

I'm burned ...... [nt]

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : February 28th, 2008-13:57

Thanks Anthony,

 
 By: papillonwatchman : February 28th, 2008-20:29

Wow, great report! I thought I spent a lot of time at the exhibition..

 
 By: Allen : February 29th, 2008-21:38
you must have been there all day to take all these pictures! It's so nice for you to have posted everyone's names because I sure couldn't remember. Thanks, Anthony! I sat with Mikael at dinner and talked extensively about watchmaking. He's really an aweso...