Description:
The Mercator was introduced in 1994 as one of the most imaginative creations of Vacheron Constantin’s modern era, conceived to celebrate the legacy of the great 16th-century cartographer Gerardus Mercator and to showcase the Maison’s mastery of alternative time displays and decorative arts. Produced in limited numbers over approximately a decade, the model is distinguished by its bi-retrograde indication and elaborate map dials, making it one of the most artistic and unconventional wristwatches of the 1990s.
The present yellow gold Mercator features a dial depicting a finely detailed cartographic representation of Asia, Africa, and Europe, inspired by Mercator’s historic world maps. The continents are rendered with remarkable depth and precision, creating a miniature work of art on the wrist. The time is displayed through two compass-shaped retrograde hands: the upper arc indicates the hours, while the lower arc marks the minutes, each hand gracefully returning to zero at the end of its cycle.
The watch is powered by the ultra-thin self-winding Caliber 1120, adapted to drive the complex bi-retrograde mechanism — a technically demanding system that requires absolute precision to ensure smooth travel and instantaneous return of the hands.
Overall, the watch is preserved in excellent condition, and it is accompanied by its original box, papers and signed loupe.