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Vacheron Constantin & The Met: A Commitment to Preserve Craftsmanship

From the Artisan Residency Programme to the Masterpiece on Your Wrist initiative, the Vacheron Constantin & The Met partnership is grounded in education, excellence, and creative legacy.

Por: Rubén Carrillo
Vacheron Constantin & The Met birthed the Artisan Residency Programme, a project rooted in mutual values — dedication to cultural heritage, artistic excellence, and the transmission of savoir-faire / Photo The Met
Vacheron Constantin & The Met birthed the Artisan Residency Programme, a project rooted in mutual values — dedication to cultural heritage, artistic excellence, and the transmission of savoir-faire / Photo The Met

In 2023, Vacheron Constantin & The Met joined forces to champion a cause beyond fine art and luxury: preserving craftsmanship. 

 

Vacheron Constantin & The Met birthed the Artisan Residency Programme, a project rooted in mutual values — dedication to cultural heritage, artistic excellence, and the transmission of savoir-faire.

 

The initiative isn’t simply a residency. It’s a global platform for craft revival, cultural exchange, and intergenerational learning.

 

Designed as an 18-month journey, it allows artisans to explore, innovate, and evolve traditional techniques within the contexts of The Met and the Vacheron Constantin ateliers.

 

Launching the Artisan Residency Programme

To mark its 270th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin celebrated the launch of this programme at The Met Cloisters in New York. 

 

This wasn’t just a symbolic setting. It signified the convergence of history, innovation, and cross-cultural artistic dialogue — themes that define both The Met and the Maison.

 

Three artisans were selected from hundreds of global applications, each chosen for their commitment to craft and vision for the future. 

Their mission: to explore traditional methods, reimagine them through contemporary expression, and produce a work that honors the past while speaking to the present.

To mark its 270th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin celebrated the launch of this programme at The Met Cloisters in New York / Photo The Met
To mark its 270th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin celebrated the launch of this programme at The Met Cloisters in New York / Photo The Met

Meet the Artisans of Innovation

Aspen Golann (USA) is a furniture maker who fuses classic American woodworking with bold, modern narratives. 

 

She reinterprets historical design to explore power structures within the craft world. Her initiative, The Chairmaker’s Toolbox, promotes equity in the field.

 

Ibrahim Said (Egypt) brings ceramic art to life through forms inspired by ancient Egyptian pottery. His work is both delicate and strong, steeped in heritage yet always pushing boundaries. 

 

Said’s unique approach bridges the ancestral and the avant-garde, creating dialogue between the past and future.

 

Joy Harvey (Italy) transitioned from chemistry to fine jewelry, blending Florentine goldsmithing with Armenian techniques. 

 

Her work explores imperfection, ageing, and philosophical depth. For Harvey, beauty is never static — it evolves with experience, identity, and emotion.

Aspen Golann (USA), Ibrahim Said (Egypt), Joy Harvey (Italy) / Photo The Met
Aspen Golann (USA), Ibrahim Said (Egypt), Joy Harvey (Italy) / Photo The Met

A Programme in Three Distinct Phases

The residency is divided into research, creation, and presentation.

 

In phase one, artisans travel between New York and Geneva. They study The Met’s archives and collections while immersing in Vacheron Constantin’s métiers d’art, including engraving, guilloché, enameling, and gem-setting.

 

Phase two focuses on production. Each artisan submits a detailed proposal and begins crafting their piece. 

 

The Met provides essential materials and logistical support while artisans work independently in their studios.

 

The final phase culminates in October 2026, when the artisans return to The Met. 

 

They’ll lead workshops, join community events, and unveil their completed projects — now transformed by 18 months of mentorship, exploration, and skill refinement.

The Met provides essential materials and logistical support while artisans work independently in their studios / Photo The MET
The Met provides essential materials and logistical support while artisans work independently in their studios / Photo The MET

Vacheron Constantin & The Met: A Shared Vision for Art’s Future

Vacheron Constantin & The Met is more than a collaboration. It’s a shared mission. 

 

From the Artisan Residency Programme to the Masterpiece on Your Wrist initiative, the partnership is grounded in education, excellence, and creative legacy.

 

Since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has seen mentorship not as tradition but vocation.

 

It started with Jean-Marc Vacheron and his first apprentice and continues today through programs like this one.

 

Meanwhile, The Met — established in 1870 — has remained more than a museum.

 

It’s a living institution, bringing art to life through exhibitions, learning programs, and global digital outreach.

Questions & Answers

  • What is the main goal of the Artisan Residency Programme of Vacheron Constantin & The Met? To preserve traditional crafts while encouraging contemporary innovation.
  • How long does the Vacheron Constantin & The Met residency last? The programme spans 18 months in three phases: research, creation, and public engagement.
  • Who are the three selected artisans for the Vacheron Constantin & The Met programme? Aspen Golann (furniture), Ibrahim Said (ceramics), and Joy Harvey (jewelry).
  • How does the programme reflect the values of Vacheron Constantin & The Met? It combines mentorship, artistic excellence, and cultural preservation, embodying both institutions’ shared commitments.

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