Vacheron Constantin unveils an exceptional astronomical clock at Le Louvre

Le Louvre is shining a spotlight on the often unknowable world of the mechanical arts, with a new exhibition exploring humanity’s awesome attempts to measure time.

Amongst a collection of extraordinary historical artefacts – including an Egyptian water clock from the Ptolemaic period, a spherical watch dating from the sixteenth century and an astronomical clock presented to King Louis XV in 1754 – there is a contemporary work from Vacheron Constantin.

The La Quête du Temps, created to mark the maison’s 270th anniversary is an exceptional astronomical clock, the result of seven years of work. ‘What is quite outstanding is that it is perfectly in perspective with the ancient artworks around, like another chapter added to an immemorial story, the search of beauty and the mastery of time,’ says Le Louvre curator Oliver Gabet.

‘Moreover, it is a contemporary expression of the idea of automaton, which has been so important since the Renaissance, and later in the 18th century. At the core, it is a celebration of craft and art, ideally embodied by the collections of the Louvre, and the talents of human teams, from the museum and from Vacheron Constantin, whose artisans and watchmakers have cultivated a unique expertise over centuries, blending time-honoured techniques with a relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence.’

Standing more than a metre high, La Quête du Temps encompasses over 6,000 mechanical components, and integrates the automaton into the timepiece itself to ensure a sharp functionality throughout. Pushing at the horological envelope, the timekeeping machine has resulted in the filing of seven watchmaking patents, and 8 for the automaton. As well as massive technical innovation, the focus is also very much on beauty, with an intricate aesthetic delicately bringing the cosmos to life.