Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

New York, Mar 15, 2006

LOT 172

"Orient & Occident" Vacheron Constantin, Genève, "Mercator", No. 798390, case No. 673846, Ref 43050. Sold on March 26, 1996. Very fine and rare, self-winding, water resistant, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with enamel dial representing Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia; double sector graduated for the 12-hour and 60-minute indications and an 18K yellow gold Vacheron Constantin deployant clasp. Accompanied by a burr-wallnut fitted box, a brass magnifying glass and a certificate.

USD 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 17,000 - 25,000

Sold: USD 31,860

C. Two-body, solid, polished, rounded band, stepped bezel, overhanging fluted lugs, transparent case back, sapphire crystals. D. 22K yellow gold dial plate with polychrome cloisonné enamel map of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Antartica, double sector graduated for the 12-hour and 60-minute indications with painted Arabic numerals and indexes. Yellow gold ?compass?-style hands. M. Cal. 1120, rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 36 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring, 21K gold rotor segment engraved "1594 - Gérard Mercator - 1994?. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness: 9 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

"Mercator" The case of the "Gérard Mercator? watches was inspired by Vacheron Constantin?s "Géographique" line, launched at the end of the 1940s. The different dials of the "Mercator" watches represent the American Continent, and/or Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia and were inspired by a map drawn in 1587 by Gerardus Mercator, the famous cartographer and humanist. Belgian enamellers Lucie and Jean Genbrugge collaborated in the design of the mechanism to control the hour and minute hands, as well as produced the dials for the ?Mercator? line of watches. The "Gérard Mercator? model was launched by Antiquorum on the occasion of the sale ?The Art of Vacheron & Constantin?, held in Geneva on November 13, 1994.