Vacheron Constantin

Gerardus Mercator (1512-1594) was a Flemish geographer, cartographer, and cosmographer most renown for creating the 1569 World Map based on a new projection that represented sailing courses of constant bearing as straight lines, an innovation that is still employed today in nautical charts. Mercator was also an accomplished engraver and calligrapher who crafted beautiful globes and scientific instruments, and he often included his knowledge and love for the cosmos in his illustrations of the world.

Introduced in 1994, the Vacheron Constantin Mercator Reference 43050 commemorates the 400th anniversary of the death of Gerardus Mercator. As part of the limited series, the dials depict a miniscule enamelled interpretation of the hand drawn maps from the Atlas of Mercator from 1587. The dials were crafted either in polychrome champlevé enamel or in chased and enameled 22k gold to replicate the maps illustrating Americas, Europe, Africa or Asia. The enameled dials are faithfully reproduced from the original maps by Belgian enamellers Lucie and Jean Genbrugge in Broechem, and some feature mystical sea creatures, Latin inscriptions, and ships, with each dial requiring up to 12 days of enamel work.

The time keeping system of the Reference 43050 was partly inspired by the original Bras en l'Air pocket watches from the 1930s, and features a double retrograde system with jumping hours and sweeping minute hands designed to resemble the appearance of a compass, continuing the cartography theme.

The present Reference 43050/000J-17 features a beautiful 22k gold chased and enameled dial depicting the Western Hemisphere. Richly illustrated with mountain ranges and waterways, the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts are further punctuated by ships and the Circles of Latitude, the present lot is a wonderful work of art that captures the spirit of exploration and innovation.