by Ian Skellern

“Ottoman Architecture” from the Vacheron Constantin “Metiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements” collection

In honor of Mother’s Day tomorrow − hurry, guys, hopefully you still have time to buy some flowers and chocolates − I’d like to revisit these fantastic openwork watches that Vacheron Constantin presented earlier this year at the SIHH in Geneva.

“French Lace” from the Vacheron Constantin “Metiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements” collection

Done well, and Vacheron Constantin is a master of the art, openworking requires a lot of skill and experience as the idea is to remove as much of the material as possible to reveal the mechanisms beneath the dial, while ensuring it remains looking elegant and is still structurally rigid enough for its purpose.

“Indian Manuscript” from the Vacheron Constantin “Metiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements” collection

First, a watchmaker analyzes what can be removed. Plates and bridges are then drilled and cut out before being beveled, engraved and polished.

“Chinese Embroidery” from the Vacheron Constantin “Metiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements” collection

The stunning pieces shown here are from the Metiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements collection, and each of the 37 mm gold watches is strictly limited to just 20 pieces.

Learn more about Vacheron Constantin’s openwork timepieces in this video by TheWatchesTV.

For more information, please visit  www.vacheron-constantin.com/en/sihh-2014-skeleton-watches  and www.vacheron-constantin.com/en/watches/metiers-d-art/Fabuleux-Ornements.