Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 11, 2014

LOT 121

VACHERON CONSTANTIN PATRIMONY GREAT EXPLORERS "MAGELLAN" YELLOW GOLD WANDERING HOUR WATCH WITH CHAMPLEVE ENAMEL DIAL - LIMITED EDITION Vacheron Constantin, Genève, "Patrimony Tribute to Great Explorers - Limited Edition Magellan", movement No. 949745, case No. 798596, Ref. 47070/000J-9076. Made in a limited edition of 60 pieces as a tribute to Ferdinand de Magellan (1480-1521), starting in 2004. Extremely fine and rare, 18K yellow gold, self-winding, water-resistant wristwatch with wandering hours, hand enameled on gold champlevé enamel dial by Jean & Lucie Genbrugge and an 18K yellow gold Vacheron Constantin double deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original Vacheron Constantin fitted box, Certificate of Origin, setting pin, CD and instructions.

CHF 45,000 - 65,000

HKD 391,000 - 572,000 / USD 51,500 - 74,000

Sold: CHF 77,500

Three-body, polished, inclined bezel, curved band, curved fluted lugs, back with 6 screws and embossed points of the compass, sapphire crystal. Two-part, two-level, 22K gold entirely hand-painted champlevé enamel by Jean and Lucie Genbrugge with a map of Cape Horn, Tierra del Fuego and the Straits of Magellan, inscribed along the lower edge "Magellani Navigatio - MDXIX-MDXXII - Ad Species Fretum Invenit et Primum Periplum Peragit", black Arabic numerals traversing across the lower half of the dial in a 120 degree arc, Arabic minute numerals below. Cal. 1126 AT, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, 36 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronisms and five positions, self-compensating flat balance spring, shock absorbers, micrometer regulator.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 1*

As new

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

Dial, case and movement signed. Dial signed J & L. Genbrugge. DIAM. 40 mm. THICKNESS 13 mm. The Patrimony in tribute to the great explorers was a limited edition of a total of 240 pieces available in four versions of 60 pieces each. Production started in 2004 with two versions: Magellan and Zheng He. The superb hand-painted enamel dials on plates of 22K gold were executed by Jean and Lucie Genbrugge as individual miniature works of art. Each dial requires over 30 separate firings in the enameler's kiln. The hour glides across a 120 degree arc like a ship sailing over the seas.