For 2027, the Year of the Goat in the Chinese calendar, Vacheron Constantin has unveiled two limited editions that join its Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac collection. Brought alive by intricate hand engraving and Grand Feu enamelling, the goat on the dial depicts the beginning of the Lunar New Year in China from February 2027.

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The series, which began in 2012 and is dedicated to the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, honours Vacheron Constantin’s longstanding ties with China. Archival records show that the Maison sent 33 pairs of watches to Canton in 1846, beginning a relationship shaped by an appreciation for elaborate decoration and fine craftsmanship. More recently, its cultural engagement has included a partnership with the Educational Institute of the Palace Museum in Beijing, inaugurated in 2024.

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The second 12-year cycle commenced in 2024 with the Year of the Snake, with two models created for each annual edition. The goat, the eighth sign of the zodiac, carries symbolic associations with gentleness, sensitivity, loyalty, honesty, strength, and resilience, as well as auspiciousness and good fortune.

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Also Read: Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Tribute to The Celestial

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The 40 mm timepieces are 12.72 mm thick and are crafted in 18K 5N pink gold or 950 platinum. The dial centres on a three-dimensional goat standing on a rock, set against a landscape rendered in enamel. The goat and rock are sculpted from 18K 5N pink gold or 18K white gold, depending on the case material, and are hand-engraved to define the animal’s horns, fur, and contours. The details are enhanced by hand patination and miniature enamel painting that add texture and colour. Creating this sculptural motif required approximately three days of work.

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For the background, multicoloured Grand Feu enamel was chosen with miniature-painted foliage. Enamel is applied in layers with a fine brush, with the dial fired at temperatures exceeding 800°C. With repeated applications and firings, the gradient, colour intensity, and details of the landscape emerge with beautiful depth. This whole process for just the background takes approximately two weeks.

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The time-telling mechanism leaves a genuine space for the artwork. Instead of conventional hands, the movement uses four peripheral apertures to display the indications. Trailing hours and minutes appear in the upper part of the dial, while jumping displays for the day of the week and date occupy the lower part. This is driven by Vacheron Constantin’s in-house automatic Calibre 2460 G4 – certified with the Hallmark of Geneva – which operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, with a 40-hour power reserve.

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Also Read: Vacheron Constantin revives the Historiq‍ues American 1921

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A transparent sapphire-crystal caseback reveals the openworked 22K yellow-gold oscillating weight, featuring a polished Maltese Cross. Movement finishing includes perlage, Côtes de Genève, hand-bevelled bridges, and hand-finished jewel sinks. Furthermore, the watches are water-resistant to 30 metres.

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The pink-gold model, Ref. 86073/000R-H105, is paired with a dark brown Mississippiensis alligator-leather strap and a matching pink-gold folding clasp. The platinum model, Ref. 86073/000P-H104, comes with a dark blue alligator-leather strap and a platinum folding clasp. Both are supplied with a corrector pen.

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Each reference is limited to 25 pieces, making the total production 50 watches across the two versions. The price is upon request.

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Images: Vacheron Constantin

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