Signals

France – Luxury Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin has unveiled La Quête du Temps at the Louvre, a monumental automaton clock designed to celebrate the brand’s 270th anniversary. Created over seven years, the one-metre-tall kinetic sculpture blends centuries-old horology with modern craftsmanship. It includes a golden figure that shows the time, a crystal case by L’Epée 1839 and music by artist Woodkid. 

The clock is displayed alongside historical timepieces, including a 2,300-year-old Egyptian water clock and a 10th-century Islamic peacock automaton, creating an installation and timeline that showcases innovation across cultures. Louvre curator Olivier Gabet highlights timekeeping’s universal narrative: ‘It’s not only European, it’s very much Chinese, it’s very much the Islamic world.’ 

The exhibit comes as the mechanical watch market faces a slowdown following pandemic-era growth and new tariffs. Yet, as technology advances, the clock’s presence at the Louvre argues for the enduring relevance of analogue timekeeping as a form of cultural memory and personal ritual. 

This exhibition aligns with the findings in our Luxury States: New Codes of Luxury 2024–2025 macrotrend report, which illustrates how brands such as Vacheron Constantin are using storytelling, heritage and experiences to forge emotional connections with consumers.