Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 27, 2011

LOT 472

Vacheron Constantin Mercator Vacheron Constantin, Genève, "Mercator?, No. 798379, case No. 673866, Ref. 43050. Sold on May 2, 1996. Very fine and unusual, self-winding, water-resistant to 30 meters, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with 22K yellow gold dial representing the continents of Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia, and double sector graduated for 12 hours and 60 minutes with retrograde hands. Accompanied by a Vacheron Constantin fitted box, certificate and loup.

CHF 18,000 - 28,000

USD 18,000 - 28,000 / EUR 14,000 - 22,000

Sold: CHF 30,000

C. Two-body, solid, polished, transparent case back, rounded band, stepped bezel, overhanging fluted lugs, sapphire crystals. D. 22K yellow gold dial plate engraved with the continents as well as 2 sectors graduated from1 to 12 for the hours and from 0 to 60 for the minutes, with painted Arabic numerals and indexes. Yellow gold hands in the shape of a marine compass reminiscent of the one used by cartographer Gerardus Mercator. M. Cal. 1120/2, extra-flat (2,45 mm.), rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 36 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, self-compensating flat balance spring, 21K gold rotor bearing the engraving "1594 Gérard Mercator - 1994.? Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 8.5 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
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 in the late 1940s. The 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 enamelers 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.