990Σ︎
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 43060
Audubon Birds of America, La Perruche de Caroline
An exquisite and divine limited edition yellow gold wristwatch with cloisonné and miniature enamel dial signed by Muriel Sechaud, made in a limited edition of 10 pieces in tribute to Jean-Jacques Audubon’s “Birds of America: La Perruche de Caroline”
Full-Cataloguing
- First Muriel Sechaud Carolina Parrot to appear in the auction market
- Cloisonné and miniature enamel dial
- Limited edition of 10 pieces
- Well-preserved condition
A portal into the natural world, the present ref. 43060 depicts a portion of Audubon’s “Carolina Parrot”, reimagined by the renowned master enamellist Muriel Sechaud, signed ’96 on the dial. Enamellists like Muriel Sechaud are celebrated as there are only very few of them After mass-produced quartz movements decimated Switzerland’s mechanical-watch industry in the 1970s, miniature enamel painting and other related artistic skills nearly became extinct. The few artists still working, including Suzanne Rohr and Muriel Sechaud, labored alone, supported by old-line brands.
Both Anita Porchet and Muriel Sechaud had an attempt of reimagining Audubon’s work. Featuring a vibrant 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. Completed in 1996, 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 has furthermore been elegantly skeletonised and engraved.
Offered in well-preserved condition, this is the first of Sechaud’s Carolina Parrot to appear in the auction 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.