Beautiful Swiss watch with enamel miniature Circa 1948

Gold enamel pocket watch by Vacheron & Constantin
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A unique, highly important, and attractive Swiss yellow gold open faced watch with an enamel miniature, painted by Helen May Mercier, circa 1948. This watch features a cal. V439 mechanical movement with 17 jewels, a lever escapement, and is adjusted for temperature variations. It has a two tone silver brushed dial with applied yellow gold dart indexes, Arabic numerals at 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12, an outer minute track, subsidiary seconds, and gold bâton hands. The case is made of 18k yellow gold and showcases a polychrome enamel painted scene, complemented by a snap on case back. The case, dial, and movement are all signed.
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Diameter: 46 mm
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Signed: Vacheron & Constantin Genève / Mercier 
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The movement is in working condition. The two tone dial is exceptionally well preserved, featuring a hard enamel signature and raised calibrations. The case is crisp and in outstanding condition, with a clear hallmark at the bottom of the bow. There is very light tarnishing on the bezel between the 3 and 4 o’clock positions, but this can be easily cleaned. The enamel miniature, which the artist signs at 7 o’clock, is also in exceptional condition. All colours are vibrant and lifelike. Overall, this is an exquisitely crafted enamel open faced watch from the 1940s.
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This exquisite open face watch is one of Vacheron Constantin’s most significant miniature enamel pieces. First, the brand rarely produced polychrome miniature enamel painted watches due to the highly challenging and costly process of creating such masterpieces. Second, very few works are attributed to the artist Helen May Mercier, who made this particular piece. Another example of her work is illustrated in The Secrets of Vacheron Constantin by Franco Cologni on page 291, and fewer than a handful of her pieces have appeared at auction. Consequently, watches like the one described here are extremely rare and highly sought after today.
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The current watch showcases the breathtaking views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, featuring a beautifully painted polychrome miniature enamel. This artwork, created in the 1940s, captures intricate details, including fishermen on the shore and a couple in a rowing boat in the distance. The enamel has been exceptionally preserved, and every detail has been executed with painstaking care. Mercier has once again perfected the fine details, bringing to life one of the most stunning landscapes in the world.
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Lake Geneva, with its stunning countryside and mountainous views, has inspired incredible creativity for centuries. This area is rich in natural beauty, featuring breathtaking forests and beautiful waters. It has motivated some of the world’s most famous artists, including Joseph Mallord, William Turner, and Paul Signac, and renowned architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, to capture the enchanting scenery surrounding them.