The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Co...

Geneva, Apr 03, 2005

LOT 46

?Planisphère? Vacheron Constantin, Genève, "Gérard Mercator 1594-1994", No. 798176, case No. 656962, Ref. 43050. Made in 1994. 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. Accompanied by Original Certficate.

CHF 20,000 - 25,000

EUR 13,000 - 16,000 / USD 17,000 - 21,000

Sold: CHF 29,900

C. Two-body, solid, polished and brushed, transparent case back with serrated edge, rounded band, steppedbezel, overhanging curved and fluted lugs, sapphire crystals. D. 22K white gold, signed J. and L. Genbrugge,representing a champlevé black enamel map of the continents of Africa, Europe, Asia, part of Australia andAntarctica, double sectors graduated from 1 to 12 for the hours and from 0 to 60 for the minutes with paintedArabic numerals and dot indexes. The white gold geometrical hands are in the shape of a marine compassreminiscent of the one used by famous cartographer Gerardus Mercator. M. Cal. 1120/2 extra-thin, rhodium-plated,"fausses-côtes" decoration, 36 jewels, straight line lever escapement, annular beryllium balance adjustedto heat, cold, isochronism and five positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring, 21K yellowgold rotor segment bearing the engraving "1594-Gérard Mercator-1994".Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 36 mm. Thickness: 8.3 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

Mercator watches The dials of the "Mercator" watches, representing various continents or countries, were inspired by a 16th century map drawn 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 "The Art of Vacheron Constantin", lot 286. The dial of the present watch represents Europe, Africa, Asia, and part of Australia and Antarctica. The dials were executed in the champlevé, cloisonné, and painted on enamel techniques by Belgian artists Lucie and Jean Genbrugge. Vacheron Constantin made a small number of examples strictly monitored "Mercator" series, all with 22K gold and enameled dials. On special request, Vacheron Constantin also made Mercator watches featuring a single region or continent, as well as the Chinese zodiac.