Following the Mercator’s critical and commercial success, Vacheron Constantin launched the Hommage Aux Grands Explorateurs (The Tribute to the Great Explorers) in 2004. A series of four watches, limited to 60 pieces each, the watches were made with a two level dial construction mapping the travels of famous explorers: Magellan, Zheng He, Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus.

Highly rare and collectible, the present model illustrates the travels of the famous “Silk Road” by Marco Polo. Depicted all corners of the world and signed by J&L Genbrugge (master enamellers Jean & Lucie Genbrugge), from Mediterranean all the way to China, Persia, India and mountains of Mongolia, the wearer can tread on the heels of Marco Polo’s journey.

Entirely hand-painted, the geographical outline on each dial requires over thirty separate firing in the enameller’s kiln and is truly one-of-a-kind. The level of difficulty has been pushed even further for the dial of this watch as it is made on two levels with a small opening allowing the passage of a sapphire disc for the wandering hour indication. Cased in a beautiful yellow gold case with stepped down turn lugs, the reverse is engraved with a compass for this tribute. Complete with its original accessories and certificate, the present example is fresh-to-the-market and to our knowledge the 4th example to appear publicly in the auction market.