Swiss luxury watchmaker Vacheron Constantin (Richemont Japan Co., Ltd.) will host a special exhibition of "Les Cabinotiers," a one-of-a-kind piece unveiled at the "Homo Faber" exhibition, held in Venice in April this year, for a limited time (November 22 - December 1, 2022) at its Ginza flagship store.

"Homo Faber" is an international arts and crafts exhibition celebrating artistic craftsmanship in a wide range of fields. Vacheron Constantin exhibited alongside skilled artisans in the fields of watchmaking, enamel, engraving, and gem-setting, and created this one-of-a-kind piece inspired by Japanese mythology, for which the brand was the guest of honor. This unique piece celebrates the close relationship and craftsmanship between Japan and Vacheron Constantin that spans more than a century.


This special exhibition will also feature a four-panel folding screen created by the Louvre's artisans. Inspired by the Japanese mythology depicted in this unique Les Cabinotiers piece, the Louvre's frame workshop, which also participated in the Homo Faber exhibition, has carved the same motif as the timepiece and rendered it in gold. The four skillfully carved oak panels are joined together with keyed joints specially crafted for this occasion, creating a truly masterpiece.



Vacheron Constantin established an artistic and cultural partnership with the Louvre Museum in 2019. This partnership is part of an ongoing commitment to celebrating beauty, preserving, maintaining and passing on heritage to the future. The two brands share a passion for the preservation and restoration of historical materials and are committed to preserving the craftsmanship associated with the pieces.

A special movie summarizing the collaboration between Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre is now available.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5lOHEcQrXM
Vacheron Constantin - Homo Faber: Tribute to fine craftsmanship.


Additionally, the exhibition will feature two timepieces from the Métiers d'Art collection, which celebrates decorative techniques employed in the worlds of watchmaking and jewelry, that make full use of the maki-e technique, one of Japan's most representative crafts and the most exquisite of lacquering techniques; two from the Métiers d'Art La Symbolique des Lacs collection, Carp and Waterfall (2011) and Spring (2014); and a pocket watch, Samurai (1924), manufactured in 1924.

Les Cabinotiers Extra-Flat Minute Repeater - Wind God -
Les Cabinotiers Extra-Flat Minute Repeater - Thunder God -


This piece was inspired by the work of Tawaraya Sōtatsu, a 17th-century Japanese artist who is designated a National Treasure. The pair of folding screens, depicting the Wind God and the Thunder God in color against a gold background, were produced in the early Edo period and are currently housed in the Kyoto National Museum. In Japanese mythology, the great god Raijin (Thunder God) is depicted soaring through the air with a drumstick in his hand, while Fujin (Wind God) holds a wind bag in his hand. The dials of the Les Cabinotiers are also adorned with these gods, crafted with the expert handiwork of the Manufacture's master enamelers and engravers. The cases are further enhanced by the masterful techniques of gem-setting. Powering these two ultra-thin minute repeaters is the Caliber 1731, a movement familiar to watch enthusiasts and collectors. The Les Cabinotiers Extra-Thin Minute Repeater - Raijin - is presented on a burgundy alligator leather strap with an engraved white gold folding clasp, while the Les Cabinotiers Extra-Thin Minute Repeater - Fujin - is presented on a green alligator leather strap with an engraved white gold folding clasp.

A special movie showing the production process of the Les Cabinotiers Extra-Flat Minute Repeater is now available.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43dXwY1H0Vk
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute repeater ultra-thin – Wind God & Thunder God