845Σ
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 43060/1
Audubon Birds of America - Carolina Parrot
A well-preserved, exquisite and attractive limited edition yellow gold wristwatch with cloisonne enamel dial signed by Anita Porchet, one of a limited edition of 10 pieces, made as tribute to Jean-Jacques Audubon’s “Birds of America: Carolina Parrot”
- Estimate
- HK$200,000 - 400,000€22,100 - 44,200$25,600 - 51,300
HK$762,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Vacheron Constantin
- Year
- Circa 1997
- Reference No
- 43060/1
- Movement No
- 798’805
- Case No
- 682’203
- Model Name
- Audubon Birds of America - Carolina Parrot
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1120/2, 36 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Crocodile
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Vacheron Constantin pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 38mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by purchase invoice dated 7 February 1998.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
A portal into the natural world, the present ref. 43060 depicts a portion of Audubon’s “Carolina Parrot”, reimagined by the renowned master enamellist Anita Porchet, signed A. Porchet ’97 on the dial, featuring a dynamic group of four Carolina parakeet. Declared extinct in 1939, this species of small green neotropical parrot have popularised thanks to its vibrant coat of feathers with a bright yellow head, reddish-orange face and pale beak.
Since the retirement of the legendary Suzanne Rohr from Patek Philippe, Porchet is acknowledged as the greatest enameller in the Swiss watch industry. What sets her apart is her mastery of the branches of enamelling: transluscent plique-à-jour; paillonné, with its hundreds of tiny pieces of gold suspended in layer upon layer of transparent enamel; the subtle black, white and grey of grisaille; champlevé, in which the enamel is placed in declivities engraved in the surface; cloisonné, whereby a filament of gold is shaped into a series of cells, or cloisons, into which enamel is placed with the point of a brush; and miniature enamel painting, which is regarded as the most complex.
Completed in 1997, the dial is not the only work of art in this watch as the hinged case back opens to reveal its beautifully finished movement bearing the desirable Geneva seal. The rotor of the extra slim cal. 1120/2 has furthermore been elegantly skeletonised and engraved.
Offered in well-preserved overall condition and accompanied by its original purchasing invoice, the present timepiece is physical proof that haute horlogerie and art can be one.
Since the retirement of the legendary Suzanne Rohr from Patek Philippe, Porchet is acknowledged as the greatest enameller in the Swiss watch industry. What sets her apart is her mastery of the branches of enamelling: transluscent plique-à-jour; paillonné, with its hundreds of tiny pieces of gold suspended in layer upon layer of transparent enamel; the subtle black, white and grey of grisaille; champlevé, in which the enamel is placed in declivities engraved in the surface; cloisonné, whereby a filament of gold is shaped into a series of cells, or cloisons, into which enamel is placed with the point of a brush; and miniature enamel painting, which is regarded as the most complex.
Completed in 1997, the dial is not the only work of art in this watch as the hinged case back opens to reveal its beautifully finished movement bearing the desirable Geneva seal. The rotor of the extra slim cal. 1120/2 has furthermore been elegantly skeletonised and engraved.
Offered in well-preserved overall condition and accompanied by its original purchasing invoice, the present timepiece is physical proof that haute horlogerie and art can be one.
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.
Browse MakerKey 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.