Important Collector's Wristwatches, P...

New York, Dec 01, 2004

LOT 224

Vacheron Constantin, Genève, "Gérard Mercator 1594-1994", No. 798092, case No. 656985, Ref. 43050. Produced in the 1990s. Very fine and unusual, self-winding, water-resistant, platinum gentleman?s wristwatch, the dial with a champlevé black enamel map of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Antarctica, with an 18K white gold Vacheron & Constantin deployant clasp.

USD 25,000 - 30,000

EUR 20,000 - 25,000

Sold: USD 33,350

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 dial plates decorated with a champlevé black enamel map of the continents of Africa, Europe, Asia, part of Australia and Antarctica, 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 geometrical hands, in the shape of a marine compass, are reminiscent of the one used by the famous cartographer Gerardus Mercator, signed J. and L. Genbrugge.M. Cal. 1120/2 extra-thin, 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 yellow gold rotor segment bearing the engraving "1594-Gérard Mercator-1994".Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 36 mm. Height 8 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1 - 01

Notes

Mercator watches The dials of the "Mercator" watches, representing various continents: the Americas, Europe, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and Asia, were inspired by a map drawn in 1587 by Gerardus Mercator, famous cartographer and humanist. The "Mercator" watch was launched in 1994 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the cartographer?s death, with a series inspired by their 1940s "Geographic Line". Watch No. 1 of a series of 50 pieces was sold by Antiquorum in the thematic sale dedicated to "The Art of Vacheron Constantin", lot 286. The dial of the present watch represents Europe, Africa, Asia, and part of Australia and the Antarctic. The dials were executed in the champlevé, cloisonné, and painted on enamel techniques by Belgian artists Lucie and Jean Genbrugge. Vacheron Constantin has produced a small number of strictly monitored "Mercator" series, all with 22K gold and enameled dials. On special request, Vacheron Constantin also produced Mercator watches featuring a single region or continent, as well as the Chinese zodiac.