Watches

How Tribal Art Inspired a Unique Collection of Watches

By Sotheby's

T he Important Watches sale in Geneva on 12 November offers a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire a collection of four watches from Vacheron Constantin’s famed “Les Masques” series.

main material : yellow gold 18K 3N

ONE OF THE MASKS FROM THE BARBIER-MUELLER MUSEUM THAT INSPIRED THE COLLECTION

Part of the Métiers d'Art collection, which launched in 2005, “Les Masques” embodies the brand's intricate creativity and meticulous craftsmanship with the aim of examining the human lineage through time via the theme of primitive arts.

In 2007 the then-CEO, Juan-Carlos Torres, found inspiration for these stunning visual creations by visiting the globally-renowned Barbier-Mueller museum in Geneva, which houses a world-class collection of works of art from tribal and classical antiquity.

Different symbolic themes of the primitive arts were experimented with but eventually, the theme that gave Torres and his team most excitement was the tribal masks, which represented every civilization in every age.

In primitive cultures, masks have a double function as both aesthetic objects and ritual devices; be it a means to communicate with the spirits of ancestors or a manifestation of ancient rituals and spectacles.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN A SET OF FOUR AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCHES WITH DAY, DATE AND ENGRAVED MINIATURE MASK DIALS  MÉTIERS D'ART - "LES MASQUES" MADE IN 2008. ESTIMATE CHF 260,000 – 430,000 / US$ 268,000 – 442,000

Observing each mask in the collection of Metiers d'Art "Les Masques", we are reminded of the numerous admirable traits possessed by humans: sophistication, refinement, elegance and perseverance, all engraved onto ancient masks by our common ancestors on a starry night by the fire.

Just like the art which inspired them, these watches’ dials are adorned with striking three-dimensional masks bringing together aesthetics and functionality in a celebration of Vacheron Constantin’s creativity and craftsmanship.

ONE OF THE MASKS FROM THE BARBIER-MUELLER MUSEUM THAT INSPIRED THE COLLECTION

Launched in April 2007, the Metiers d'Art "Les Masques" is an opus of twelve recreations of tribal masks in a limited edition of 25 pieces each, created over a period of three years, with a total number of merely 300 pieces.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN, A SET OF FOUR AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCHES WITH DAY, DATE AND ENGRAVED MINIATURE MASK DIALS  MÉTIERS D'ART - "LES MASQUES",MADE IN 2008. ESTIMATE CHF 260,000 – 430,000 / US$ 268,000 – 442,000

This exclusive set of works of art embodies primitive aesthetics at its finest. Unprecedented in auction history, this is the first time a complete set is offered on the auction market and the lot offers a unique opportunity for watch and art connoisseurs alike.

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