Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

New York, Dec 05, 2007

LOT 204

Limited Edition Enamel Platinum Mercator Vacheron Constantin, Genève, "Gérard Mercator 1594-1994", North America, No. 862122, case No. 756196, Ref. 43050. Made in a limited edition of 10 pieces in 1993. Very fine and unusual, self-winding, water-resistant, platinum wristwatch with retrograde hands, dial with champlevé enamel map of the North and Central American Continent, with an 18K white gold Vacheron Constantin double deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original box and certificate.

USD 25,000 - 30,000

EUR 17,000 - 20,000

Sold: USD 49,560

C. Two-body, solid, polished and brushed, transparent case back with serrated edge, rounded band, stepped bezel, overhanging curved and fluted lugs, sapphire crystals. D. 22K white gold, signed J. and L. Genbrugge, representing a map in multi-colored champlevé enamel of the North and Central American Continent, double sectors graduated from 1 to 12 for the hours and from 0 to 60 for the minutes with painted Arabic numerals and dot indexes. The white gold hands are in the shape of a marine compass, reminiscent of the one used by famous cartographer Gerardus Mercator. M. Cal. 1120/2 extra-thin, rhodium-plated, fausses côtes decoration, 36 jewels, stamped with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, straight-line lever escapement, beryllium balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, 21K yellow gold rotor segment bearing the words "1594-Gérard Mercator-1994."Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 9 mm. Property of Various Owners


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

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
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 producing the dials for the ?Mercator? line of watches. The "Gérard Mercator? model was launched by Antiquorum at the sale ?The Art of Vacheron & Constantin?, held in Geneva on November 13, 1994./