VACHERON CONSTANTIN’S OVERSEAS COLLECTION: BACK TO BLACK SHARE

Dedicated to the spirit of travel, Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas collection treats itself to a total black look. Two new Overseas timepieces are available in a steel case that highlights Vacheron’s black dial. Launched in 2018, the Overseas dual time model equipped with the 5110 DT self-winding Manufacture movement enables simultaneous reading of two time zones, complete with date and day/night indication. The Overseas Lady quartz watch introduces a new 33mm diameter case to the collection and adds 78 diamonds to its bezel to light up the path of its hands and the date displayed at 3 o’clock. Like the entire Overseas collection, these new models will evolve their style in step with their interchangeable bracelet/straps.

Overseas dual time

While travel is often associated with escapades and getting away from it all, it nonetheless requires careful scheduling. It is in this spirit that Vacheron Constantin designed the Overseas dual time watch as part of a collection specifically dedicated to the spirit of travel. Everything in this timepiece has been designed to take account of the variable factors punctuating globetrotters’ daily lives, interpreted in a practical, useful and resolutely stylish manner. The readability of the new black dial, the smooth adjustment of the functions, along with the wearer comfort ensured in all circumstances thanks to its three interchangeable bracelet/straps, make this Overseas dual time the ideal companion around the world.

Throbbing at the heart of the watch is the self-winding Manufacture 5110 DT calibre, derived from the 5100. Its distinctive feature lies in the simultaneous reading of two time zones. In addition to the traditional central hand-type time indications for local time, a fourth hand tipped with a red arrow displays the ‘home’ time, coupled with a day/night indicator. The date hand appearing on a sector at 6 o’clock is synchronised with local time, corrected by means of a push-piece. The two 12-hour zones are adjustable via the crown in both directions. Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), this 234-component 5110 DT calibre has a comfortable 60-hour power reserve thanks to its two barrels wound by a 22-carat gold oscillating weight adorned with a wind rose and visible through the transparent sapphire crystal caseback.

The primary concern to offer a timepiece that is practical on any occasion is met by legibility. Set against the new translucent black-lacquered dial, the contrasting displays involving luminescent 18-carat gold facetted hour-markers and hands are all the more striking. And since this is a high-precision “instrument”, a double minutes and seconds scale has been placed around the rim. On the 41 mm steel case, emblematic of the collection with its hexagonal bezel, the crown and the date pushpiece are secured so as to ensure that the watch is water-resistant to 150 metres. This Overseas dual time watch thus offers all the qualities of a watch of character, while losing none of its charm, enhanced on all occasions by the choice between its three interchangeable

bracelet/straps. Without any need for tools, the watch is may thus be fitted with a steel bracelet featuring polished/satin-brushed links inspired by the Maltese cross, or else with a choice of rubber or alligator leather straps.

Overseas Lady quartz

Quartz models for ladies in elegant watches with a sporty character are rooted in the tradition of the Maison. The legendary collection 222, launched in 1977, already incorporated a ladies version in gold or two-tone gold and steel, introducing a quartz movement. 19 years later, Vacheron Constantin presented the Overseas collection, featuring three models, the ladies model with – as in the 222 model – a quartz movement, particularly appreciated by women for its precision and its practical aspect.

The new Overseas Lady quartz embraces a 33 mm diameter case to combine feminity and charm with its sporty look. Rimmed with a diamond-set bezel, its black sunburst lacquered dial makes a pleasing contrast with the facetted and luminescent 18K white gold hour-markers and hands. This practical and eminently legible Overseas model enhances its sporty look with the taut lines of its case water-resistant to 50 meters, flowing into a steel bracelet that can be changed according to its wearer’s wishes.

Suitable for all wrists with its 33 mm diameter, this model features a style capable of evolving as the day goes by, thanks to its interchangeable bracelet/straps concept endowing it with a variety of styles. Designed to ensure the Overseas a collection is fully in touch with its time, the bracelets/straps interchangeability concept launched in 2016 is picked up on this model. The watch thus opts for modularity and a personalised touch by affording the possibility of being worn on a metal bracelet composed of links forming half Maltese crosses (for a more casual look), or a strap in either leather (as a chic variation) or rubber (for a sporty touch) – and all without any need for tools to effect the changes.

The hexagonal bezel, whose shape is reminiscent of Vacheron Constantin’s emblematic Maltese cross, is adorned with 78 bead-set roundcut diamonds. In order to focus on functionality, a quartz hours and minutes movement was chosen, also driving a central seconds hand and an aperture-type date indication at 3 o’clock.

Available in three versions – two steel models with a black or blue “denim” dial and a pink gold model with a silver dial –, this new watch offers all the qualities one would expect from a watch of character, while preserving its innate charm.