Vacheron & Constantin. A fine 18K gold limited edition self-winding 'Mercator' wristwatch with enamel dial

SIGNED VACHERON & CONSTANTIN, GENÈVE, NO. 20, CIRCA 1995

Details

Vacheron & Constantin. A fine 18K gold limited edition self-winding 'Mercator' wristwatch with enamel dial
Signed Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 20, circa 1995
With skeletonised nickel-finished lever movement, 36 jewels, the 21K gold rim to the rotor engraved with the inscription 1594 - Gérard Mercator - 1994, the dial with a polychrome cloisonné enamel map depicting the continents Europe, Africa and Asia on a 22K gold plate, the gold hands placed on 12 and depicting compass legs to resemble the early hand-held compasses as used by Gerardus Mercator, both moving in an arc over the two curved sectors graduated for hours and minutes with painted Arabic numerals, returning to zero after each course respectively after twelve hours and sixty minutes, the circular case with stepped bezel and lugs, glazed back, together with an 18K pink gold Vacheron & Constantin clasp, Vacheron & Constantin Certificate of Authenticity dated July 21st, 1995, Certificate of Origin and Warranty, brass magnifying glass, original fitted mahogany presentation box with elm-bur veneer and gilt brass clasp and fittings, outer cardboard packaging, case, dial and movement signed
36 mm. diam.

Lot Essay

This watch is part of a limited edition of 50 examples only, made in November 1994 to honour the memory of the famous cartographer and humanist Gerardus Mercator on the 400th anniversary of his death. The enamel dials represent the American Continent, or Europe, Africa and Asia, drawn by Gerardus Mercator in 1587 and reproduced by Lucie and Jean Genbrugge, enamellers of Broechem Belgium.

The watch is also accompagnied by a brochure containing the interesting biography of Gerardus Mercator as well as a detailed description of the 'Mercator' model.

A similar watch is illustrated in Armbanduhren, fifth edition, by Kahlert, Mhe, Brunner, p. 464.

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