Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin Year: 2008 Reference No: 43060 Movement No: 862'097 Case No: 701'873 Model Name: Audubon - Birds of America Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal 1120/2, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Vacheron Constantin pin buckle Dimensions: 38.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin fitted box, outer packaging, Certificate of Origin, product literature, leather holder and polishing cloth
Catalogue Essay
The Vacheron Constantin Audubon “Birds of America” is a perfectly idiosyncratic and delightful watch. In a fast pace world where sports watches are king, the present watch is an invitation to step back, take a deep breath and appreciate crafts that require time and patience.
The cloisonné enamel dial by renowed enamel artist Muriel Sechaud, is inspired by the works of American naturalist and painter John J. Audubon and his book Birds of America. The Audubon –Birds of America was a series of ten watches depicting ten different birds and made in 10 examples each.
Cloisonné enameling is an ancient technique used throughout history to decorate jewelry, religious objects, and vessels. The intricate work begins with the enameller painstakingly laying out the design with fine gold wire, then adding successive layers of enamel to each region within the wire design to achieve the desired color, then fired in a kiln.
The dial is not the only work of art in this watch, the movement, hidden behind a hinged back, opens to reveal a beautifully finished movement bearing the prestigious Geneva seal. The rotor of the extra slim caliber 1120 has furthermore been elegantly skeletonized and engraved.
Preserved in superb condition the present watch is a physical proof that haute horlogerie and art can be one.
The world's oldest watch brand in continuous operation since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin was the first watch company to manufacture movements with interchangeable parts beginning in 1839. Vacheron's watches are admired for their Latin-influenced case designs, well-balanced proportions and exquisitely finished movements of the highest quality. The Geneva-based manufacturer is known for their highly complicated masterpieces, including the King Farouk Grand Complication made in 1935, the Tour de l'Ile that was the most complicated serially produced wristwatch when introduced in 2005 and the 57260 — the world’s most complicated watch — made in 2015.
Key vintage models include minute repeating wristwatches such as the references 4261, chronographs such as the references 4178 and 6087 and the oversized Cioccolotone models such as ref. 4737. Collectors also appreciate Vacheron's Chronometer Royal pocket and wristwatches, as well as the '222,' the brand's first luxury sports watch produced from 1977 through 1984.