Vacheron Constantin Hommage Aux Grands Explorateurs 47070

Vacheron Constantin Ref. 47070 An original yellow gold wristwatch with wandering hours and cloisonné enamel dial depicting the travels of Zheng He, guarantee and presentation box, part of a limited edition of 60 pieces

Manufacturer : Vacheron Constantin Year : Circa 2010 Reference No : 47070 Movement No : 950'523 Case No : 1'131'030 Model Name : Hommage Aux Grands Explorateurs "Zheng He Material : 18K yellow gold Calibre : Automatic, cal. 1126. 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap : Leather Clasp/Buckle : 18K yellow gold Vacheron Constantin deployant clasp Dimensions : 40mm Diameter Signed : Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories : Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin fitted box, Certificate of Origin, product literature, loupe, DVD and outer packagingThroughout close to 270 years Vacheron Constantin has always experimented with alternative time displays in pocket or wristwatch format. In 1994, the famed Geneva brand took the horological world by storm when it launched the Mercator, a surprising collection of timepieces featuring a dial depicting old maps of Eurasia or the Americas, and two retrograde hands in the form of a compass acting as the hour and minutes indicators. Following the Mercator’s critical and commercial success, Vacheron Constantin launched the Hommage Aux Grands Explorateurs (Tribute to the Great Explorers) in 2004. A series of four watches, limited to 60 pieces each, the watches were made with a two level dial construction representing the travels of a famous explorer. The present example is dedicated to Zheng He, a Chinese admiral, explorer, diplomat, and bureaucrat during the early Ming dynasty (1368–1644). He is often regarded as the greatest admiral in Chinese history. Creating a cloisonné enamel dial requires extreme skills, dexterity and talent. The artist first marks out the outline of the motifs using a fine gold wire to separate the various enamel regions. Multiple enamel layers are applied depending on the desired colors, followed by numerous successive firing operations in a kiln serving to intensify the color and light effects as well as the gradation of the enamel. A dangerous process as at each firing the dial can break while the enamel may react differently to the heat, resulting in high rejection rates. The level of difficulty has been pushed even further for the dial of this watch as it is made on two levels with a small opening allowing the passage of a sapphire disc for the wandering hour indication.