Vacheron Constantin trains the master craftspeople of tomorrow

Decorative techniques have the transformative power of turning functional objects into works of art. For more than 270 years, Vacheron Constantin’s dedication to stylistic sophistication has earned the maison a unique place in the artistic world, elevating Haute Horlogerie timepieces with exceptional finishing touches. Yet beyond its aesthetic signature, the watch manufacture is also renowned for its commitment to transmission. The year of the maison’s foundation, 1755, also saw the signing of its first apprenticeship contract. To this day, Vacheron Constantin continues to support emerging talent, passing on techniques, practices, and skills to safeguard knowledge and expertise for generations to come.

In September, an evening at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art marked the latest expression of this commitment to preserving cultural heritage. Three artists selected for the ‘Artisan Residency’ programme unveiled original creations inspired both by traditional watchmaking techniques of Vacheron Constantin’s workshop and by masterpieces from the Met’s collection, spanning centuries of art history from around the world.

Among the artists, American cabinetmaker and woodcarver Aspen Golann presented ‘Vessel’, a monumental vase combining the traditional crafts of carpentry, sculpture and cabinetmaking. ‘Discovering the heritage collection watches of Vacheron Constantin reminded me just how refined craftsmanship can be and how every detail of a creation, however minute, can be the subject of extreme attention,’ she said. ‘This realisation has encouraged me to invest myself more fully in every facet of my practice.’ Inspired by the savoir-faire of Vacheron Constantin’s métiers d’art workshop, including enamelling and engraving, Golann incorporated foliage, fruit and horse patterns carved in bas-relief into the wood.

Egyptian-American ceramicist Ibrahim Said presented a vertical three-layer structure reimagining motifs of ancient Egyptian and Islamic cultures, while Anglo-Italian goldsmith and jewellery artist Joy Harvey created a bronze coronet combining traditional techniques with contemporary methods such as 3D scanning.

Looking towards the future is an essential part of the programme. Conceived not only to preserve artistic skills but also to encourage new forms of expression, the residency enables artists to reinterpret centuries-old crafts through their own work. While learning about conservation and drawing on the heritage of both institutions, during an 18-month period between New York, Geneva and the city of their studio, they were able to follow their own creative process, guided by their respective interests.

Launched in May 2025 in collaboration with The Met, the ‘Artisan Residency’ programme forms part of a wider partnership initiative by Vacheron Constantin spanning three continents, and follows previous collaborations with the Louvre in Paris and the Educational Institute of the Palace Museum in Beijing. Together, these endeavours reflect the maison’s involvement in perpetuating knowledge and expertise from cultures all over the world. By placing centuries-old skills in the hands of a new generation of artists, Vacheron Constantin ensures that artisanal excellence remains not only a legacy to preserve, but a creative language shaping what comes next.

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