Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...
New York - The Fuller Building, Dec 07, 2006
LOT 307
?Mercator? Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, "Mercator 2000", No. 709035, case No. 684297, Ref. 43050/1. Made in a limited edition of 20 pieces in 1998. Very fine and rare, self-winding, water resistant to 30 m., 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with enamel dial representing Germany, double sector graduated for 12-hours and 60-minutes and an 18K gold Vacheron & Constantin buckle. Accompanied by a fitted box and certificate.
USD 25,000 - 30,000
EUR 20,000 - 23,000
Sold: USD 29,500
C. Two-body, solid, polished, transparent case back, rounded band, stepped bezel, curved fluted lugs, sapphire crystals. D. 22K yellow gold dial plate with polychrome painting on enamel map of Germany as well as 2 sectors graduated from 1 to 12 for the hours and from 0 to 60 for the minutes, with painted Arabic numerals and indexes. The yellow gold hands, in the shape of a marine compass reminiscent of the one used by the famous cartographer Gerardus Mercator. M. Cal. K 1120, stamped with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, 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 engraved "Mercator 2000." Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness: 9 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 2 |
Very good |
Movement: 1 |
As new |
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Notes
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.