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The double retrograde complication - Part 2: Vacheron Constantin's 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
credit: Hannah Luo aka @crazykirbyh
4/ CHINESE ZODIAC
credit: sotheby’s
5/ EUROPA (another gorgeous photo by amanico can be found here)
credit: time & tide
6/ EUROPA - AFRICA - ASIA - TERRA AUSTRALIS (other gorgeous photos by amanico can be found here)
credit: s.song
credit: phillips
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
10/ ITALY (other gorgeous photos by patrickh can be found here and also here by foversta)
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
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The double retrograde complication - Part 2: Vacheron Constantin's 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 a...
Incredible post. Thanks quattro .
I’ve always admired the Mercator. To my eye the most beautiful model is Japan, though if I could have just one my patriotic side would opt for America. Thanks again for a most pleasant morning read. M4
Thank you, Dan.
Japan is my favorite too (reason why I chose it as main photo). And, for sentimental reasons and because of fado (a music I adore), I love Portugal too! Best, Emmanuel
Thank you, E.
Yes, I'm sure the owners must have great pleasure wearing these. Best, Emmanuel
I didn’t know all these variants!
This model first attracted me to VC, I remember reading about them here and the hour lounge. 1/ for me!!
Truly amazing and innovative design the Vacheron Constantin's Mercator.
Thanks again for a wonderful reference article. ...
Terrific post. I long-wanted a Mercator, but could never find the right one at the right time.
The Mercator has got to be in the top 10 or 20 watches from VC. So unique and interesting. Cheers, John
Thank you, John.
I agree with you that the Mercator is really VC (and watchmaking) at its best! Cheers, Emmanuel
These are some of the few watches that I find very difficult to read...
...and I just don't care : ) Beautiful dials and I love these lugs...
Getting used to reading the time
might not be as challenging as one could think. And, as you say, such is the beauty that it would be well worth the effort ! Best, Emmanuel
The only thing....
that could prevent me from eventually getting one is death 😁. Mon chapeau 🎩😙🤌 Filip
I wish you to eventually get one, Filip!
Which one would you pick if you could choose ? Cheers, Emmanuel
For personal life experience reasons....
either the 'bird's eye' view of the Americas, or Europe, both of which hold an equally significant place in my heart and mind 🙂🙏....
Truly
exceptional writing and research. Always look forward to your in depth postings. You research abilities and depth of knowledge benefits us all.
Absolutely amazing post!
I am a big fan of the Mercator and I thought I know well about this model and the numerous versions with many dial iterations but OMG I was far to imagine there are so many! So many thanks Emmanuel for the research work behind this great reference post! I...
Thank you so much, Mike, for these gorgeous photos
of the watch which has been yours! It's a wonderful addition, as I had found only enamel variants of the Europa map. This monochrome engraved dial with pt case looks awesome and your shots are terrific. Have a great weekend. Best, Emmanuel
Brilliant and informative thread, thank you.
Thank you for researching and compiling these images, it's the most exhaustive list I've seen online. It's particularly hard to find information on the Mercators as so many variants were created, and probably many more unique commissions that we will neve...
Thank you so much for these great additions and warm welcome to WatchProSite!
Thanks to you, I've been able to update my thread withs these two maps that I had missed. After having done some research, I think the second one depicts not the Mekong River delta, but the Pearl (or Zhūjiāng , even if Christie's calls it "Chu Kong") Rive...
That makes a lot of sense.
In fact upon closer inspection, the reference image appears to be this excerpt detailing the Pearl Delta taken from the posthumously published 1619 map of China by the eponym himself The full image of G Mercator's map can be seen below. Looks familiar... ...
This is great: thank you so much once again!
To be able to see the reference image is a true pleasure.
Absolutely!
My preference for Japan and Portugal is mostly sentimental, as I love these two countries and cultures. For the map of Japan, there's also an aesthetic reason: I find it very beautiful! But other personal preferences are just as good of course!
