THE JET SET

VACHERON CONSTANTIN

The introduction of the Overseas collection to Vacheron Constantin’s line-up in 1996 was not based on an arbitrary decision to simply bring a sporty element to the watchmaker’s portfolio of dressy timepieces. It was truly the next step in consolidating the brand’s technical achievements since the 1800s, from watches that were built to repel magnetic fields, to a 1977 anniversary edition that featured a 10-sided case and was water resistant up to 120m.

Hence, the six-sided Overseas has the honour of being the emblematic brawny watch of the brand family, without renouncing its innate elegance and sophistication. For 2016, the collection has undergone a mini facelift in terms of aesthetics and mechanics. Three new movements have specifically been developed, the first being the Calibre 5200, which is found within the Overseas Chronograph. The result of five years of research and development, the chronograph function features a column wheel and vertical clutch, ensuring that the hands move in a smoother motion. It is a self-winding movement, and offers 50 hours of autonomy and water resistance up to 150m. Apart from a new movement, the Overseas Chronograph differs from its 2012 predecessor in the placement of the date aperture; it is now seen at 430. The luminous indices are now in a slimmer, baton shape.

Then, we have the Calibre 5100, which beats at 4Hz, promising more precision than the previous 3Hz movement. It is self-winding, offering 60 hours of power reserve, and proffers the date at 3 o’clock. The handsome piece measures a wearable 41mm.

Equipping the Overseas Small Model for women is the Calibre 5300, a diminutive, 128-part movement. It is a significant step in the development for movements for the fairer sex, as it acknowledges their growing significance in the watch world. The Small Model comes with a diamond-studded bezel and, like its counterparts, is stamped with the Geneva Seal.

All the models mentioned are available in stainless steel and rose gold, and are furnished with Vacheron Constantin’s new easy to change strap system. You no longer need an in-house kit to alter the look of your watch, as a simple click allows you to replace the rubber, leather and metallic straps, to adapt to the occasion.

The six-sided Overseas has the honour of being the emblematic brawny watch of the brand family, without renouncing its innate elegance and sophistication