Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Hong Kong, Jul 10, 2005

LOT 389

?Chinese Zodiac? Vacheron Constantin, Genève, Mercator, No. 861243, case No. 684407, Ref.43050. Made in 1998. Exceptionnally fine and rare, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold gentleman?s wristwatch with polychrome cloisonné enamel dial representing the Chinese zodiac, double retrograde sectors graduated for 12 hours and 60 minutes and an 18K gold Vacheron Constantin deployant clasp.

C. Two-body, solid, polished, stepped bezel, overhanging fluted lugs,sapphire glass back. D. White enamel on gold dial plates with the12 signs of the Chinese zodiac centered by the sun with radiating goldsectors, the lower section with two sectors graduated from 1 to12 for the hours and from 0 to 60 for the minutes with painted Arabicnumerals and dot indexes. The gold hands, in shape of a marinecompass, are placed at 12 rather than at the center of the dial. M. 121/2???, cal. 1120, extra-flat (2,45 mm. thick), rhodium plated,?fausses côtes? decoration, 36 jewels, straight line lever escapement,annular glucidur balance adjusted for heat, cold, isochronism and5 positions, self-compensating flat balance-spring, 21K gold rotor bearingthe engraving 1594 - Gérard Mercator - 1994.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 35 mm. Thickness 8 mm.