History In The Making

A unique collaboration destined to make the history books, Vacheron Constantin's Métiers d'Art collection in partnership with the Louvre pays tribute to four ancient civilisations.

- Norman Tan

What do you see?” Christian Selmoni’s question to me from the previous day still rings in my mind. We had met at Hôtel de Crillon in Paris for a private viewing of the new Métiers d’Art timepiece collection, which Vacheron Constantin had created in partnership with the Louvre as a tribute to four great ancient civilisations.

He embodies his title as the manufacturer’s style and heritage director. Yesterday, he had worn a dapper broken suit in complementary gemstone hues, and tonight, as we dine under the glass pyramid of the Louvre for the international unveiling of the Métiers d’Art collection, he sits handsomely in a pressed black tuxedo and bow tie.

So, what do I see? The Louvre transformed into a gala venue: rows of tables decorated with vases of wildflowers; white chiffon curtains billowing next to towering walls inscribed with text and symbols from the four chosen ancient civilisations (Greek, Persian, Latin and Egyptian); and above us, beyond the glass and metal of the Louvre Pyramid designed by Chinese-American architect IM Pei, a clear night sky littered with stars.

“We have always been able to maintain a high level of watchmaking together with a high level of decorative crafts,” Selmoni had said, in response to his own question. “And there’s a lot of diversity in Vacheron watches—from men’s and ladies’ timepieces to sports watches— so what is the style of the Maison in this context? If I had to summarise it, it would be elegant, sophisticated and refined.”

Tell us about the genesis of this unique collaboration between Vacheron Constantin and the Louvre.