The iconic Vacheron Constantin Overseas Self-winding gets a modern update with a slimmed down silhouette and a sprinkling of gems.
Much like Audemars Piguet has the Royal Oak, and Patek Philippe has the Nautilus, Vacheron Constantin has the Overseas – basically, an iconic luxury stainless steel sports watch which is designed for a lot of rough-and-tumble adventure time.
While steel sport watches might be ubiquitous now, and basically synonymous with luxury timekeeping, this wasn’t always the case. The modern era of steel sport watches really began with the birth of the Gerald Genta-designed Royal Oak at Audemars Piguet in 1972, at a time when the Swiss brand was still making mostly small, complicated dress watches.
This was quickly followed by the now-famous Vacheron Constantin 222, named in commemoration of the Manufacturer’s 222 years of high-quality watch making. Designed by a young talented watch designer Jörg Hysek, the 222 was a simple and neat luxurious timepiece, featuring a distinct tonneau case with a scalloped bezel, and an integrated link bracelet.
The Birth of the Overseas Collection
Created in limited quantities, the Vacheron Constantin 222 remains highly valued by collectors today, and is a distinct defining timepiece in the subsequent development of the Overseas collection.
“It inspired the creation of the first Overseas models in 1996, driven by the spirit of travel and openness to the world,” says Christian Selmoni, Vacheron Constantin’s Director of Heritage and Style.
This remarkably technical collection quickly became a benchmark for the brand, and its codes evolved over time, particularly with regards to the metal bracelet, which as of 2004 featured a motif evoking the brand’s Maltese cross emblem. In 2016, the certified new-wave Overseas resolutely took its place in the 21st century and marked a new aesthetic signature for timepieces destined to become true travel companions.
Christian Selmoni, Vacheron Constantin’s Director of Heritage and Style
New Silhouettes
True to this spirit of elegance in robustness, Vacheron Constantin is introducing four new slimline Overseas Self-winding models in pink gold and steel, featuring a 35mm diameter of the gem-set versions and 34.5mm for the non-set models.
Equally suited to both men’s and women’s wrists with a more slender silhouette, the new timepieces remain loyal to the collection’s emblematic codes found on the larger-diameter models. The hours and minutes indications are accompanied by central seconds and a date display at 3 o’clock, while the minutes track, placed around the rim in a single row, features a velvety finish with sunburst satin-brushed decoration of the lacquered dial.
The two models in 18K 5N pink gold, as well as the non-set steel timepiece, adopt the collection’s iconic blue dial, while that of the steel watch set with 90 diamonds feature a delicate shade of pink.
For even greater adaptability, the smart tool-free strap interchangeability system comes with three bracelet/straps: an integrated metal bracelet (in 18K 5N pink gold or steel depending on the case), and two straps in rubber and calfskin.
Beating under the hood is the Calibre 1088/1 with a 40-hour power reserve. This 144-component movement with a 4 Hz rhythm is equipped with a stop-seconds mechanism, enabling precise adjustment of the timekeeping functions. Featuring rear bridges bearing the Côtes de Genève motif, it is fitted with the collection’s emblematic rotor in 22K gold, adorned with a compass rose and visible through the sapphire crystal on the caseback.
Images courtesy of Vacheron Constantin, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
Related Links:
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph Sports a New Face
Triple Extension: The Vacheron Constantin Overseas In New Guises
The Technical Side of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Collection 2020: Motion of Time
Vacheron Constantin: Overseas, the Traveller Collection
