Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

Geneva, May 10, 2009

LOT 73

Les Metiers d?Art, ?Zheng He? Vacheron Constantin, Genève, ?Patrimony, Metiers d?Art, Zheng He?, movement No. 949702, case No. 798577, Ref. 47070. Made in a limited series of 60 examples, circa 2005. Extremely fine and very rare, water resistant, self-winding 18K yellow gold wristwatch with enamel dial, with patented mechanism for the mobile hour figure and an 18K yellow gold Vacheron Constantin deployant clasp. Accompanied by the fitted wooden box, the Certificate of Origin and guarantee certificate, a gilt loop, booklets and a CD-Rom.

CHF 35,000 - 45,000

USD 30,000 - 40,000 / EUR 23,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 60,000

C. Two-body, solid, polished and brushed, fluted lugs, concave bezel, case back with 6 screws and engraved with compass point. D. Hand painted enamel on 22K gold plates, depicting the China Sea, open section between 4 and 8 with Arabical numerals and five minute dot indexes, mobile Arabic numerals for the hour indication. M. Cal 1126AT, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes and oeil de perdrix decoration, 36 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, patented auxiliary mechanism for the display of mobile hour figures over 120°, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam 39 mm. Thickness 12 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

The Patrimony line was created in tribute to great explorers; the ingenious manner in which the hour numerals traverse the dial is indeed reminiscent of a ship crossing the high seas. This watch was made in a limited edition of 240 examples, available in four versions. Production began in 2004. Each version was produced in an edition of 60 pieces.
Zheng He or Cheng Ho (1371-1434) Considered the greatest mariner and explorer of the 15th century, he was the Admiral of the Ming dynasty fleet. Captured and castrated when still a youth, he was placed in the service of a ranking member of the Imperial family and given the name San Bao, meaning ?Three Jewels?. During his career he explored the east part of the African coast, the Arabian Peninsula and the remaining part of Asia, establishing the first contacts between the Chinese dynasty and other countries of the Indian Sea.