Vacheron Constantin Mercator “Email Japon” Ref. 43050/000P-8831 — Platinum, Nº 13/30, Full Set, 2001

A rare and highly poetic expression of Vacheron Constantin’s artistic watchmaking, this Mercator “Email Japon” reference 43050/000P-8831 is housed in platinum and features a beautifully executed cloisonné enamel dial depicting Japan. Manufactured in 2001, this example is further distinguished by its limited-series engraving Nº 13/30, its calibre 1120, and an especially complete presentation including box, certificate and warranty booklet, world service booklet, Geneva movement certificate, and Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives dated 15 November 2022.

Among the most original wristwatches of the neo-vintage era, the Vacheron Constantin Mercator remains one of the maison’s most imaginative interpretations of time. Introduced in 1994 to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of Gérard Mercator, the pioneering Flemish cartographer, the model reimagined the earlier “Bras en l’Air” display through a bi-retrograde system whose hands are shaped like the dividers used to measure distance on a map. Over a 10-year production run, Vacheron Constantin is understood to have made only 638 examples of the Mercator in total, across all variations, making it one of the most distinctive and comparatively elusive artistic references of the period.

This particular watch is the Mercator “Email Japon”, reference 43050/000P-8831, cased in platinum and manufactured in 2001. The dial is the defining feature: a finely executed enamel rendering of Japan, animated by Vacheron Constantin’s signature co-axial retrograde display, with the left-hand scale indicating the hours and the right-hand scale the minutes. The hands themselves recall the drafting instruments of a cartographer, reinforcing the conceptual integrity of the model. The enamel artwork is signed J.&L. Genbrugge, referring to Jean and Lucie Genbrugge, the Belgian enamellers closely associated with the Mercator project and its most refined dials.

Powering the watch is the ultra-thin automatic calibre 1120, here noted on the archive extract as 12’’’ – 1120, and visible through the sapphire caseback. The movement is one of the most respected self-winding calibres of the era, while the rotor bears a commemorative Gerard Mercator 1594–1994 engraving and the movement is marked 36 jewels. The caseback and documents further confirm case number 744539, movement number 862056, and the limited-series engraving Nº 13/30 on the case flank, underscoring the rarity of this “Email Japon” configuration.

Presented with an unusually complete set of accompanying materials, this watch is offered with its original box, Certificate and Warranty booklet, World Service booklet, Geneva movement certificate, and Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives dated 15 November 2022. Combining historical significance, decorative artistry and one of the most charming alternative time displays of modern high watchmaking, the Mercator “Email Japon” stands as a deeply collectible Vacheron Constantin — rare, thoughtful and immediately recognisable.

Brand: Vacheron Constantin

Model: Mercator “Email Japon”

Reference: 43050/000P-8831

Year: 2001

Case Material: Platinum

Case Diameter: 36 mm

Dial: Cloisonné enamel dial depicting Japan, signed J.&L. Genbrugge

Display: Bi-retrograde hours and minutes with compass-divider hands

Movement: Automatic calibre 1120

Jewels: 36 jewels

Case Number: 744539

Movement Number: 862056

Limited Series: Nº 13/30

Condition: Very well preserved

Delivered With: Original box, Certificate and Warranty booklet, World Service booklet, Geneva movement certificate, Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives dated 15 November 2022