The Art Of Vacheron Constantin

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 13, 1994

LOT 286

Vacheron & Constantin, "Mercator", No. 1, Ref. 4350, especially made for "The Art of Vacheron Constantin" auction. Exceptionally fine, self-winding 42 hours power reserve, 18 ct. gold gentleman's wristwatch with champlevé "cloisonné" enamel dial representing Europe, Africa and Asia, with double sector graduated for 12 hours and 60 minutes.

C. inspired by the fine "Géographique" launched at the end of the 1940's, massive, olished, stepped bezel, overhanging fluted rugs, sapphire glass back. D. gold with polychrome " cloisonné" enamel representing the Continents, below, the two sectors graduated from 1 to 12 for the hours and from 0 to 60 for the minutes with painted Arabic numerals and indexes. After each course, the hands, thanks to a special system, return to zero after respectively half a day and one hour. The gold "Dauphine" geometrical hands, in shape of a marine compass, are placed at 12 o'clock rather than at the centre of the dial. This figure is similar to the one that Gérard Mercator, the famous cartographer, used his life long. M. 12 1/2-, cal. 1120, extra-flat (2,45 mm thick) rhodiumed, "fausses-côtes" decoration, 36 jewels, lever escapement, annular glucidur balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, 19'800 vibrations per hour, hanging barrel, self-compensating flat balancespring, 21ct. gold rotor engraved "1594 - Gérard Mercator - 1994". Dial, case and movement signed. In mint condition. Diam. 33 mm.