Vacheron Constantin and The Metropolitan Museum of Art: A Timeless Alliance of Art and Horology

Known territories

The Swiss watchmaker's alliance with The Met is not its first venture into the world of fine arts. The company previously collaborated with the Louvre in Paris, a partnership initiated in 2019. This alliance aimed to bridge the realms of haute horology and the world of fine arts and history. Their joint endeavors began as early as 2016 with the restoration of the "La Creation du Monde" clock, an 18th-century masterpiece that once adorned the chambers of King Louis XV of France. This collaboration went further when they auctioned a unique watch at Christie’s, allowing the winning bidder to select a Louvre masterpiece to be intricately recreated on the dial of a Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers timepiece. The profits from this auction directly benefited the Louvre. This partnership culminated in a limited-edition series of watches by Vacheron, drawing inspiration from artifacts representing history's most illustrious civilizations, from Egypt and Persia to the Roman and Greek Empires.

Louis Ferla, Vacheron´s CEO & Max Hollein, Met's Director & CEO

 

Met X Vacheron Constantin

With The Met's vast collection of ancient treasures and art, Vacheron Constantin is poised to explore a new realm of horological possibilities. Louis Ferla, the CEO of Vacheron Constantin, expressed the significance of this partnership in a press statement. He emphasized the shared mission of both institutions in "transmitting knowledge and preserving the arts." Ferla further highlighted Vacheron Constantin's deep-rooted commitment to art and culture, which has consistently fueled their creative endeavors. He reminisced about the maison's longstanding ties with the United States and New York, noting that many of their iconic creations, like the American 1921, were crafted for American aficionados. This alliance with The Met not only highlights their cultural and artistic bond with the U.S. but also their dedication to safeguarding its expertise.

This recently announced partnership seems aimed to support The Met’s mission-driven activities in the form of an an artist-in-residency program and other educational initiatives. Special events and Vacheron Constantin timepieces inspired by The Met's collection are also on the horizon. Heidi Holder, the Museum’s Frederick P. and Sandra P. Rose Chair of Education, emphasized the excitement surrounding the collaboration, particularly the artists’ residency and other educational programs. All combined initiatives will help to nurture artistic expression and make art and culture more accessible in innovative ways. This is something that, in our view, the watch industry would benefit from too.

The Metropolitan Museum in New York

Key takeaways

In conclusion, the partnership between Vacheron Constantin and The Met is a harmonious blend of two worlds, celebrating art, history, and the timeless act of storytelling. The collaboration will allow to safeguard and pass on both knowledge and expertise between these institutions. As the horological world eagerly anticipates the fruits of this collaboration, one thing remains certain: the fusion of Vacheron Constantin's craftsmanship, which all aficionados appreciate and love, with The Met's iconic artworks promises to be a breathtaking journey for us all through time and art.