“Les Parisiennes” is the charming nickname that the Christie’s Hong Kong watch team gave to these exquisite pendants. Made by Vacheron Constantin’s workshops in Paris in the 1970's and 1980's, the pendants exude the grace and elegance one associates with the well-dressed ladies of the capital of France, hence “Les Parisiennes”. Precursors to the Métiers d’Art collection which was launched in 2004, “Les Parisiennes” highlight the technical prowess of the master artisans to create a collection of pendants adorned with semi-precious stones, mother-of-pearl and diamonds. The plethora of colours and intricate geometric designs are reminiscent of pietre dure – the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished coloured stones or semi-precious to create images or designs. This technique reached its full maturity during the Italian Renaissance in Florence, was wide-spread throughout Europe and reached as far East to the court of the Mughals in India where the form was adapted to a local style; its most extravagant manifestation being the Taj Mahal in Agra.For examples of “Les Parisiennes” pendant watch, please see Lots 2494 - 2497 and 2502 - 2505 in this sale.
VACHERON CONSTANTIN. A VERY FINE AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE 18K GOLD, DIAMOND AND TIGER’S EYE-SET OPENFACE KEYLESS LEVER OVAL PENDANT WATCH WITH VARI-HARDSTONE-SET MOSAIC DIAL
SIGNED VACHERON & CONSTANTIN, GENEVE, REF. 59703, MOVEMENT NO. 699’327, CASE NO. 505’376, MANUFACTURED IN 1979
Details
VACHERON CONSTANTIN. A VERY FINE AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE 18K GOLD, DIAMOND AND TIGER’S EYE-SET OPENFACE KEYLESS LEVER OVAL PENDANT WATCH WITH VARI-HARDSTONE-SET MOSAIC DIAL
SIGNED VACHERON & CONSTANTIN, GENEVE, REF. 59703, MOVEMENT NO. 699’327, CASE NO. 505’376, MANUFACTURED IN 1979
Cal. 1015 mechanical movement, 20 jewels, diamond, mother-of-pearl, tiger’s eye and onyx inlaid mosaic dial, oval case, diamond and tiger’s eye inlaid bezel, diamond-set crown and pendant hoop, back secured by four screws, case, dial and movement signed
39 mm. wide