Having released Chinese Zodiac editions annually for the past 12 years, Vacheron Constantin presents the Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac “Year of the Snake”. The serpent is the sixth Chinese zodiac sign for the upcoming year that begins with the Chinese New Year on January 29, 2025.

Available in pink gold or platinum, the new zodiac edition illustrates the brand’s metiers d’art expertise with hand-engraving and enamelling on a dial that depicts a cobra.

Initial thoughts

Vacheron Constantin has developed a niche with its Métiers d’Art offerings, some of which, like the Wind God and Thunder God pair of repeaters, are exceptional.

The Zodiac series is more accessible than the repeaters, but still relies on Vacheron Constantin’s in-house calibre with a unique display that indicates the time and calendar in windows, leaving the dial free for artisanal decoration.

The quality of work on the dial is high, although the snake is not a universally loved creature, unlike say the dragon, which will limit the appeal of this particular edition.

The king of snakes

The snake edition employs the same case as last zodiac models, which measures 40 mm in diameter and 12.72 mm in thickness. The movement also remains the same cal. 2460 G4 with a window-based display.

Instead of traditional hands, the watch displays the time, date, and day of the week through four windows on the dial. The apertures at 11 and one o’clock indicate the hours and minutes, whereas those at seven and five o’clock indicate the day and date respectively.

The window-based display frees up most of the dial for decoration. Here it is centred on a hand-engraved cobra sitting on rocks, both of which are solid gold appliqués. The cobra and rock are first engraved and then painted to enhance the texture and relief, a process that requires three days.

The discs for the time and calendar are colour matched to the dial

The cobra sits on a fired enamel dial that’s decorated with enamelling depicting the sky and foliage. The light blue sky that darkens towards the periphery is painted with grand feu enamel, while the foliage is executed in flux-coated miniature enamel. Each colour of the enamelling is fired individually, with the enamelling done section by section in a painstaking process.

The in-house cal. 2460 G4 is visible through the sapphire case back. Bearing the Poincon de Geneva hallmark, the movement features an open-worked 22k gold rotor with a Maltese cross logo of Vacheron Constantin. The movement offers 40 hours of power reserve and beats at 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz).

Key facts and price

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake
Ref. 86073/000R-H034 (pink gold)
Ref. 86073/000P-H033 (platinum)

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: 12.72 mm
Material: Pink gold or platinum
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. 2460 G4
Functions: Hours, minutes, day of week, and date
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 40 hours

Strap: Brown or blue alligator with folding clasp

Limited edition: 25 pieces per reference
Availability: Now at Vacheron Constantin boutiques and retailers
Price: Price upon request

For more, visit Vacheron-constantin.com.