968Σ︎
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 43050/000J
Mercator
A very fine and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with retrograde hours and minutes, warranty and presentation box, made to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Gerardus Mercator's passing
Full-Cataloguing
- Full set example
- Only a total of 638 Mercator pieces produced between 1994 and 2004
- Dial represents the map of Europe, Asia, and Africa
Conceived in 1994 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Gerardus Mercator's death, the Mercator collection from Vacheron Constantin transformed watchmaking with its dual retrograde display—an ambitious technical innovation that continues to impress even decades later. The Mercator was produced for exactly a decade, with Vacheron confirming the creation of a total of 638 pieces between 1994 and 2004.
Initially launched as a limited edition featuring cloisonné enamel dials illustrating the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, the brand later introduced examples with engraved dials featuring similar artwork. Utilizing the same extra-flat caliber 1120, modified for bi-retrograde time indication, the hands move divergently across two arc-shaped indicator zones: one graduating from 1 to 12 hours and the other from 0 to 60 minutes. Each hand returns instantaneously to zero upon completing half a day or an hour, respectively. The hands are styled to resemble compass legs, echoing the early hand-held compasses that Gerard Mercator used throughout his lifetime.
The present Mercator, featuring an engraved dial that evokes an ancient parchment, represents the map of Europe, Asia, and Africa as drawn by Mercator. In very well-preserved condition, the watch is accompanied by its warranty and presentation box.
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.