quattro's meticulous research into the Vacheron Constantin Mercator ref. 43050 offers an unparalleled look at this iconic double retrograde complication. This article, building on his initial exploration, delves into the diverse and often elusive dial variations, providing a crucial resource for collectors and enthusiasts seeking to understand the breadth of this horological tribute to Gerardus Mercator.
Part 1 can be found here:
The double retrograde complication - Part 1
Vacheron Constantin's Mercator ref. 43050, powered by cal. 1120/2, was conceived in collaboration with Belgian enamelers Lucie & Jean Genbrugge. The inspiration stemmed from their admiration for the flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator (1512-1594), who revolutionised map-making by creating the first flat projections of the globe.
Released in 1994 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Gerardus Mercator’s passing, the ref. 43050, with cases in yellow gold or platinum, displays time with a two compass-shaped retrograde hands with the hours display on the left and the minutes display on the right.
Each dial displays a specific map, which is either engraved on solid gold or 'painted' with champlevé enamel. Two dials, nonetheless, do not display a map, but the symbols of the Chinese Zodiac or, more surprisingly, a... Ferrari!
I tried to gather all existing variants, but might have missed some: they are presented in alphabetical order. Information online concerning these models is both prolific and, unfortunately, vague (in particular concerning the ref. numbers).
Best to you all.
1/ AMERICA (with frontispiece) ref. 43050/000P-9071
credit: phillips
2/ AMERICAS (much broader view than the above America)
credit: European Watch Company
credit: Sjx
3/ CHINA - "GREAT CHINA" MAP
4/ CHINESE ZODIAC
credit: sotheby’s
credit: time & tide
6/ EUROPA - AFRICA - ASIA - TERRA AUSTRALIS (other gorgeous photos by
amanico can
be found here)
credit: s.song
credit: phillips
7/ FERRARI (unique cloisonné enamel red Ferrari Enzo and facsimile signature “Enzo Ferrari” commissioned by Jean Todt chief executive officer of Ferrari from 2004 to 2008)
credit: christie's & @italianwatchspotter
8/ GERMANY ref. 43050/00J-8806 (another gorgeous photo by
amanico can
be found here)
credit: phillips @ a collected man
9/ HONG-KONG - CHINA (made to celebrate the handover of Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997)
credit: phillips (1 & 6) & Sjx
credit: antiquorum
11/ JAPAN
credit: @singaporewatchclub & sotheby’s
12/ PEARL (Zhūjiāng) RIVER DELTA
Case Nos. 701462 (platinum) and 684301 (yellow gold). This set is No. 8 in a very limited edition of 8 sets only, produced to commemorate the handover of Macau to the People's Republic of China on 20th December 1999.
13/ PORTUGAL, ref. 43050-000J-9070
credit: phillips
14/ RUSSIA, ref. 43050/000J-8355 (other gorgeous photos by
amanico can
be found here)
credit: lombard-manufacture.ru
15/ SOUTH-EAST ASIA
credit: s.song
16/ SWITZERLAND ("Suisse romande")
credit: phillips
17/ TAÏWAN - SOUTH CHINA SEA
credit: daily watch on FB & antiquorum
18/ PROTOTYPES
credit: antiquorum
The "Americas" Mercator in action
