1030Σ
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 43050/000J-9038
Mercator, China map
An extremely rare and intricate limited edition yellow gold wristwatch with retrograde hours and minutes, polychrome champlevé enamel dial depicting China and presentation box, one of a limited edition of 6 pieces
Full-Cataloguing
Alongside the platinum variant (previous lot), this configuration in yellow gold makes its auction debut with the exceedingly rare polychrome champlevé enamel dial depicting China and its neighboring regions—one of only 6 pieces ever created. Offered by the original owner, the dial is extremely well-preserved, and the case has seen minimal wrist time since its creation in 2002. Additionally, the Mercator remained in production for exactly a decade, with Vacheron confirming that a total of 638 examples were created between 1994 and 2004, making this a very rare opportunity to acquire such a masterpiece for the Chinese market.
Vacheron Constantin
Swiss | 1755The world's oldest watch brand in continuous operation since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin was the first watch company to manufacture movements with interchangeable parts beginning in 1839. Vacheron's watches are admired for their Latin-influenced case designs, well-balanced proportions and exquisitely finished movements of the highest quality. The Geneva-based manufacturer is known for their highly complicated masterpieces, including the King Farouk Grand Complication made in 1935, the Tour de l'Ile that was the most complicated serially produced wristwatch when introduced in 2005 and the 57260 — the world’s most complicated watch — made in 2015.
Key vintage models include minute repeating wristwatches such as the references 4261, chronographs such as the references 4178 and 6087 and the oversized Cioccolotone models such as ref. 4737. Collectors also appreciate Vacheron's Chronometer Royal pocket and wristwatches, as well as the '222,' the brand's first luxury sports watch produced from 1977 through 1984.