Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Hong Kong,the Ritz Carlton Hotel,harbour Room, 3rd Floor, Nov 25, 2006

LOT 82

?Chinese Zodiac? Vacheron Constantin, Genève, Mercator, No. 861243, case No. 684407, Ref. 43050. Made in 1996, sold in 1997. Exceptionally fine and rare, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold gentleman?s wristwatch with polychrome cloisonné enamel dial representing the Chinese zodiac, double retrograde sectors graduated for 12 hours and 60 minutes and an 18K gold Vacheron Constantin deployant clasp.

C. Two-body, solid, polished, stepped bezel, overhanging fluted lugs, sapphire glass back.
D. White enamel on gold dial plates with the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac centered by the sun with radiating gold sectors, the lower section with two sectors graduated from 1 to 12 for the hours and from 0 to 60 for the minutes with painted Arabic numerals and dot indexes. The gold hands, in the shape of a marine compass, are placed at 12 rather than at the center of the dial.
M. 121/2???, cal. 1120, extra-flat (2.45 mm. thick), rhodium-plated,?fausses côtes? decoration, 36 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, annular glucydur balance adjusted for heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, selfcompensating flat balance spring, 21K gold rotor bearing the engraving 1594 - Gérard Mercator - 1994. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 8 mm.