Vacheron Constantin Feathersnake turns miniature featherwork into a watch dial

Feathersnake gives a tiny, iridescent serpent a three-dimensional presence under sapphire. Feather artist Julien Vermeulen assembles more than 200 minute pieces of Lophophore feather, using a shaped support to build volume. The creature rises only about three millimetres above the dial, leaving little room for error in this miniature craft.

Part of Vacheron Constantin’s Tribute to the Animal Kingdom project, reference 7630A/000G-H206 uses a 42 mm white-gold case and automatic calibre 2460 G4. Four apertures display hours, minutes, day and date, keeping the centre available for the artwork. This is a concept watch: production numbers and commercial availability have not been disclosed. Water resistance is 30 metres.