Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Geneva, Nov 08, 2020
LOT 403
VACHERON CONSTANTIN, REF. 43050, MERCATOR PROTOTYPES, YELLOW GOLD
CHF 80,000 - 140,000
HKD 640,000 - 1,120,000 / USD 80,000 - 140,000
A very fine, extremely rare, unique, prototype, set of self-winding, 18k yellow gold wristwatches with enamel dials (old world and new world).
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 2-8 |
Very good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Brand Vacheron Constantin
Model Mercator
Reference 43050/000J
Year circa August, 1995
Movement No. 798185/798189
Case No. 656820/656825
Bracelet Leather with an 18k yellow gold Vacheron Constantin double deployant clasp
Caliber 1120/2
Dimensions 36 mm
Signature Dial, case and movement
Accessories Unique fitted wooden box written prototype P04/P05 with 2 loupes, certificates of origin, extra 18k yellow gold case (new old stock)
Notes
Property of Mr Genbrugge, creator of the Mercator Model and painter of the enamel dials
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 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 Constatin also produced Mercator watches featuring a single region or continent, as well as the Chinese zodiac.
This exceptional and truly unique set of 2 prototypes is consigned directly by Mr Genbrugge, the creator and enameler of every single Mercator produced.
This set of 2 watches was part of the initial series of 7 prototype produced each with a different enamel motif. These 2 pieces signed on the dial as numbers P04 and P05 feature numerous unique features that were not available on regular production pieces due to fabrication costs.
Never available for purchase, this set of unique Mercator consigned by the creator himself is an unique opportunity to buy the pre-production prototypes with unique dials never seen before.
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 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 Constatin also produced Mercator watches featuring a single region or continent, as well as the Chinese zodiac.
This exceptional and truly unique set of 2 prototypes is consigned directly by Mr Genbrugge, the creator and enameler of every single Mercator produced.
This set of 2 watches was part of the initial series of 7 prototype produced each with a different enamel motif. These 2 pieces signed on the dial as numbers P04 and P05 feature numerous unique features that were not available on regular production pieces due to fabrication costs.
Never available for purchase, this set of unique Mercator consigned by the creator himself is an unique opportunity to buy the pre-production prototypes with unique dials never seen before.
Biography
Jean Genbrugge (Atelier J&L Genbrugge)
From his youngest age, Jean Genbrugge was always fascinated by mechanical objects. After having completed his training as a technical engineer, he studied at the watch making school in Louvain.
A the beginning of his career, he focused on antique watch restorations, that brought him to restore enamel dials. Having acquired knowledge in chemistry, he started creating his own
enamel dials.
He invented and created various watch mechanisms (dancing dolls, a crescent shape watch, the Atlas that served as a basis for the series of explorers and Copernicus dials).
In 1993, during festivities celebrating the passing of the great map maker, Copernicus, he came up with the idea of creating a watch using a sextant as time indicators. The first prototype was entirely designed and created in his workshop.
This marked the beginning of a long collaboration with Swiss watchmakers such as Vacheron Constantin, Bovet, Piaget among others) for which he created non-conventional time display mechanisms.
On the side, with the collaboration of his wife, he continued to create and design many polychrome enamel dials, entirely handpainted, using technics and colors that he developed, to obtain very thin enamel dials, which thickness was around 0.5 mm.
From his youngest age, Jean Genbrugge was always fascinated by mechanical objects. After having completed his training as a technical engineer, he studied at the watch making school in Louvain.
A the beginning of his career, he focused on antique watch restorations, that brought him to restore enamel dials. Having acquired knowledge in chemistry, he started creating his own
enamel dials.
He invented and created various watch mechanisms (dancing dolls, a crescent shape watch, the Atlas that served as a basis for the series of explorers and Copernicus dials).
In 1993, during festivities celebrating the passing of the great map maker, Copernicus, he came up with the idea of creating a watch using a sextant as time indicators. The first prototype was entirely designed and created in his workshop.
This marked the beginning of a long collaboration with Swiss watchmakers such as Vacheron Constantin, Bovet, Piaget among others) for which he created non-conventional time display mechanisms.
On the side, with the collaboration of his wife, he continued to create and design many polychrome enamel dials, entirely handpainted, using technics and colors that he developed, to obtain very thin enamel dials, which thickness was around 0.5 mm.