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81 - 81. Vacheron Constantin. A very fine and rare platinum autom…

Estimate €80,000 - €120,000

Description

81. Vacheron Constantin. A very fine and rare platinum automatic wristwatch with retrograde marine divider hands and enamel dial depicting map of America Model: Mercator Limited Edition Reference: 43050/000P-9031 Date: Purchased August 7th, 2003 Movement: 36-jewel Cal.1120/2 automatic, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, 21K gold rotor edge engraved with '1954 - Gérard Mercator - 1994', Seal of Geneva, No.862122 Dial: Cloisonne enamel dial representing a map of America illustrated by J. & L. Genbrugge, made of polychrom 'Grand Feu' enamel, black retrograde alternating Arabic numeral and dot hour and minute markers at 5 and 7, polished retrograde hands in the shape of a marine compass Case: Brushed and polished round, exhibition back, stepped bezel and lugs, No.756196 Strap/Bracelet: Faux dark blue alligator leather Buckle/Clasp: Signed 18K white gold double folding clasp Signed: Case, dial & movement Size: 36mm Weight: 80,40g Accompaniments: Vacheron Constantin box, outer card, Vacheron Constantin service pouch, Certificates of Origin and Guarantee, Intervention letter from 2011 (replaced hands and crown), cloth Inspired by the celebrated "Bras en l'Air" pocket watches of the 1930s, the Mercator remains one of the most distinctive retrograde display wristwatches ever produced by Vacheron Constantin. Introduced in 1994 as a tribute to the Flemish cartographer Gérard Mercator, the model combines a sophisticated bi-retrograde display for the hours and minutes with richly decorated cartographic dials executed in cloisonné enamel, engraving, or acid etching. The earliest examples were produced in highly limited numbers, with enamel dials crafted by Belgian artisans Jean and Lucie Genbrugge, whose work required exceptional skill and several days of execution for each dial. Over the following decade, the Mercator evolved through numerous special editions and regional variations, with total production remaining limited to only 638 examples between 1994 and 2004. All Mercator models were powered by the ultra-thin self-winding calibre 1120, based on the legendary Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 920 and modified to incorporate the bi-retrograde mechanism. Combining technical sophistication, artistic craftsmanship, and unmistakable originality, the Mercator has become one of the great neo-vintage icons of modern watchmaking.

About the sale Paris Fine Watches

Auction location

Auction time 06/17/2026 at 2:00 PM

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