Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac 86073/000R-9751

Métiers d'Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac : 86073/000R-9751

The Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake, reference 86073/000R-9751, is a timepiece introduced in 2012 as part of a series dedicated to the Chinese New Year. This model features a 40.0 mm case crafted from rose gold, offering a luxurious and warm appearance. Its dial showcases an intricate design inspired by classic Chinese iconography, with a leaf motif etched directly into the metal base, creating various reliefs that add visual depth. The centrepiece of the dial is a meticulously engraved snake, a process requiring over 30 hours of artisan craftsmanship to highlight its delicate scales. Enhancing the artistic presentation is the Grand Feu enamelling technique, which uses successive layers of enamel to amplify the vibrancy and complexity of the blue or bronze-toned dial. The final stage involves vitrifying the dial through high-temperature firing, yielding a shiny glazed finish that accentuates the floating floral motifs. This model is part of a limited edition, with only 12 pieces produced in rose gold, making it not only an artistic statement but also a rare collector's item.