製造商: Vacheron Constantin 年份: Circa 2003 型號: 43050 機芯編號: 862’031 錶殼號碼: 674’042 型號名稱: Mercator 材料: 18K yellow gold 機芯: Automatic, cal. 1120/2, 36 jewels 錶帶/ 錶鏈: Crocodile 錶扣: 18K yellow gold deployant clasp 尺寸: 36mm diameter 簽名: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed 配件: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin warranty stamped Takashimaya Tachikawa Store, Tokyo dated 4th April 2003, Geneva seal certificate, envelope, leather pouch and outer packaging.
圖錄文章
The present timepiece was launched in 1994 as a tribute to the 400th anniversary of the death of Gerardus Mercator, pioneer geographer and cartographer known for inventing map projection. With the great efforts of Jean Genbrugge, enamellist and watchmaker, who conceptualise the project alongside his wife Lucie, the Mercato in production for 10 years only 638 pieces were produced with an average of fewer than 64 pieces reach the market per year.
Unmistakable with its unique appearance and inventive time display, the combination of a retrograde hour and minute hands shaped like a compass tells time with style. Featuring beloved stepped lugs with the Patek Philippe ref. 2499 alike, the gold canvas displays an old map of Europe, Africa, and Asia filled with black enamel details defining the mountains, valleys, and even sea creatures of folk tales. Furthermore, the dial pays a subtle homage to the creator “J&L Genbrugge” at 4 o’clock. With a lean profile and down turn lugs that sit with extreme comfort on the wrist, the Mercator is fitted with the cailber 1120 derived from the celebrated JLC 920. In exceptionally well-preserved condition, this example is offered with original warranty and Geneva seal certificate. Beyond ordinary, the present Mercator is definitely a unique design that must go into the collection of any collector.
The 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.