ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Vacheron Constantin and Louvre Launch Four Watches Inspired by Ancient Civilizations

other · 2026-04-16

Vacheron Constantin has unveiled a new Métiers d'Art collection in partnership with the Musée du Louvre, showcasing four limited-edition timepieces inspired by the museum's Department of Antiquities. Each watch reflects a distinct civilization: Pharaonic Egypt, Neo-Assyrian Empire, Ancient Greece, and Imperial Rome. The Egyptian model, 'Buste d'Akhénaton,' features a portrait of Akhenaten crafted from Sinai limestone sandstone. The Neo-Assyrian piece recreates 'Lamassu de Sargon II' using hand-carved stone and red enamel. The Greek watch, 'Athéna de Velletri,' is made from Paros marble, while the Roman 'Tibre de l'Iseum Campense' showcases a marble figure of Tiber. Each dial demands between 120 and 220 hours of meticulous handwork, with only 15 pieces available, continuing a collaboration that began in 2019.

Key facts

  • Vacheron Constantin and Musée du Louvre launched a new Métiers d'Art collection of four limited-edition watches.
  • Each watch is inspired by a masterpiece from the Louvre's Department of Antiquities.
  • The four civilizations represented are Pharaonic Egypt, Neo-Assyrian Empire, Ancient Greece, and Imperial Rome.
  • The Egyptian watch 'Buste d'Akhénaton' uses Sinai limestone sandstone and features Akhenaten's portrait.
  • The Neo-Assyrian watch recreates the 'Lamassu de Sargon II' using hand-carved stone and enamel.
  • The Greek watch 'Athéna de Velletri' uses Paros marble for a miniature relief of Athena.
  • The Roman watch 'Tibre de l'Iseum Campense' includes a micro-mosaic of jasper, chrysocolla, and opaline.
  • Each dial requires 120 to 220 hours of handwork, showcasing nine decorative crafts.
  • The watches are powered by the Manufacture Calibre 2460 G4/2 with peripheral disc time display.
  • Limited to 15 pieces each, the collaboration began in 2019 and includes previous projects like restoring 'La Création du Monde' and unveiling 'La Quête du Temps'.
  • Christian Selmoni is Vacheron Constantin's Director of Style and Heritage.

Entities

Artists

  • Akhenaten
  • Christian Selmoni
  • Sandrine Donguy
  • Sargon II
  • Akhenaton
  • Olivier Gabet
  • Hannah Silver

Institutions

  • Vacheron Constantin
  • Musée du Louvre
  • Louvre's Department of Antiquities
  • Connaissance des Arts
  • Louvre Museum
  • Département des Objets d'Art
  • Wallpaper*
  • Louvre

Locations

  • Paris
  • France
  • Sinai
  • Egypt
  • Iraq
  • Thassos
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Tunisia
  • Paros
  • Utique

Sources