Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong - Kong, Oct 09, 2010

LOT 273

Vacheron Mercator limited Vacheron Constantin, Genève, "Mercator 2000", movement no. 709035, case no. 684297, Ref. 43050/1. Made in a limited edition of 20 pieces and sold on October 22th, 1999. Very fine and rare, self-winding, water resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with polychrome cloisonné enamel dial representing Germany, double sector graduated for 12-hours and 60-minutes and an 18K gold Vacheron Constantin buckle. Accompanied by the original Vacheron box fitted with a magnifying Loup, certificate of guarantee and user manual.

HKD 200,000 - 250,000

USD 26,000 - 33,000 / EUR 20,000 - 25,000

Sold: HKD 325,000

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. K1120, stamped with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 36 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, Gyromax-type balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, engraved "Mercator 2000" rotor with 21K gold segment. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness: 8.5 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2

Very good
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.