LES CABINOTIERS
Le Temps Divin
The one-of-one timepiece series Le Temps Divin (Divine Time) is a philosophical and cultural quest exploring notions of time across cultural perspectives. Showcasing the conceptual implications of highly complex mechanics, Vacheron Constantin offers a horological odyssey whose compelling narrative reaches deep into artistic crafts.
Métiers d'Art
Deus ex machina
Le Temps Divin explores cyclical, physical and metaphysical time via world mythology. Sumptuous decoration is paired with high-precision watchmaking that includes the ultra-thin Calibre 2160, whose 5.65 mm in height delivers an 80-hour power reserve, and the Calibre 1990, a manual-winding movement protected by four patents.
Les Cabinotiers Le Temps Divin
Asian culture, seasons
and wood marquetry
Among the most striking pieces from Le Temps Divin are those crafted of wood marquetry. This antique craft is miniaturised to hundreds of slivers of precious essences, pieced together into richly detailed pictures on the dial.
Wheels of Time
A movement worthy of Chronos,
father of the gods.
The Calibre 1990 that drives the Le Temps Divin Armillary Tourbillon – Ode to Chronos sports either a striking black or a blue colour, depending on the version. This movement, born of research for the Berkley Grand complication, is protected by four patents. It features an instantaneous bi-retrograde display of time indications and a bi-axial armillary tourbillon with spherical balance-spring.
Focus
A horological odyssey of art and mechanics
The alternation of day and night, of seasons and lunar cycles, was a very early incentive for humankind to seek regularity. Watchmaking was born of these observations, gradually infusing time with a scientific identity that has never ceased to progress. From cyclical time came physical time, to be sequenced and measured; followed by metaphysical time, which fuels deeper reflection on a concept inherent in the foundations of our universe. The theme of Le Temps Divin explores these different meanings of the term, expressing cyclical time through the seasons as generally expressed in Asian cultures and notably in Chinese culture.
Le Temps Divin (divine time), a theme devoted to the myths and cultural perceptions of time, takes a documented approach brought to life by Vacheron Constantin's watchmakers and artisans. The physical notion of time – a linear, measurable concept – is represented by the "features" of the Greek god Chronos – Saturn in Roman mythology – father of the Horae (Hours), goddesses who personified the division of time. The Maison is no stranger to such evocations of ancient myths from Greco-Roman tradition. As showcased in numerous heritage pieces dating from the early 20th century, the depiction of figures from the pantheon or scenes from Hellenic daily life have often inspired Vacheron Constantin's artisans, as have the most distinctive monuments and decorative elements of these two civilisations, such as the Colosseum in Rome.
The new series of single-piece edition around the theme of Le Temps Divin is a philosophical and cultural quest. In suggesting a return to the mythological origins of Time, Vacheron Constantin has taken an interest in its metaphysical dimension: high-quality time punctuated by the deeds of divinities; as well as intimate time, eternally experienced at the most intense moments.
LE TEMPS DIVIN
The art of mastering time through exceptional and ingenious mechanisms
