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拍品专文
The reference 4217 enamel from Vacheron Constantin was manufactured in 1953 and is one of a small series of four made for the American market and sold in New York City. Each of this select group was marked with a different reference number and presented unique case and dial designs to set them apart from each other. It's believed that Beyeler was the creator of the dials, a company that took special dial requests like cloisonné enamel dials from brands including Vacheron Constantin
Fresh to the market from a descendent of the original owner, the present example is particularly beautiful in shades of blue, green and pink with playful roosters that seem to move due to the flowing lines. The vibrant colors pop from the dial as vivid today as the day they were created.
Cloisonné enamel work takes a patient and skilled hand. The artisan outlines the design with slender gold, silver or bronze wire using tweezers while working with a microscope. Once in place, the wires are soldered into cells to hold the enamel. But the hard part hasn't even started yet. These bright colors are difficult to achieve.
There's no specific formula to achieve certain hues because mixing together enamel colors like paint doesn't give the same result. Enamel, which is actually pigmented ground glass, bonds to metal surfaces under intense heat. Each firing in the kiln (up to 7) changes the colors, bringing out different shadings. One false move such as a speck of dust in the enamel can cause bubbling or discoloration. There is no room for error or you have to start all over.
Vacheron Constantin produced few watches with enamel dials, making this a rare treasure for any serious collector.
Fresh to the market from a descendent of the original owner, the present example is particularly beautiful in shades of blue, green and pink with playful roosters that seem to move due to the flowing lines. The vibrant colors pop from the dial as vivid today as the day they were created.
Cloisonné enamel work takes a patient and skilled hand. The artisan outlines the design with slender gold, silver or bronze wire using tweezers while working with a microscope. Once in place, the wires are soldered into cells to hold the enamel. But the hard part hasn't even started yet. These bright colors are difficult to achieve.
There's no specific formula to achieve certain hues because mixing together enamel colors like paint doesn't give the same result. Enamel, which is actually pigmented ground glass, bonds to metal surfaces under intense heat. Each firing in the kiln (up to 7) changes the colors, bringing out different shadings. One false move such as a speck of dust in the enamel can cause bubbling or discoloration. There is no room for error or you have to start all over.
Vacheron Constantin produced few watches with enamel dials, making this a rare treasure for any serious collector.