Happy Birthday Overseas!

Vacheron Constantin celebrates 10 years of the legendary Overseas collection

The Watch Quote™ - October 14th, 2006

In 1996, the sporty Vacheron Constantin Overseas Collection was launched and a legend was born. Ten years on, the legend continues to evolve and impress with its dynamic look, harmonious lines, and technical and aesthetic purity. To mark the ten years of this exceptional Collection, Vacheron Constantin is launching four new Haute Horlogerie Overseas watches – a yellow gold chronograph to compliment the already much sought after chronographs in the Overseas Collection, and three totally new dual time watches – a mouth-watering anniversary celebration limited edition 18K rose gold dual time with a unique chocolate-colored dial, plus a yellow gold dual time with a traditional Overseas silver guillochéed dial and, the dual time core of the Collection, a dual time in stainless steel, offered in a choice of silver or black guillochéed dials – perfect partners for the contemporary travelers overseas.

Travel across continents

Travel across continents is a concept that has been close to the heart of Vacheron Constantin since its inception. In 1810, Jacques Vacheron started the trend, traveling throughout Europe selling his handcrafted watches to kings, emperors and the rich and powerful. As the company grew so did the extent of its travels. In 1819, François Constantin expanded the concept – crossing oceans to promote the company’s masterpiece watches in both North and South America. By the 1930s many of Vacheron Constantin’s clientele were those who regularly traveled overseas for both business and pleasure, so it was natural that when in 1932, Vacheron Constantin created its first stainless steel watch it was with this group of sporty, energetic travelers in mind.

Changes Over Time

Since 1973, Vacheron Constantin has pioneered the use of stainless steel for dynamic, functional modern watches, so much so that now the modern Overseas is confirmed as one of the most accomplished timepieces in this class. It was therefore not surprising when, in 1977, Vacheron Constantin celebrated its 222nd anniversary launching an unusual stainless steel watch on the market. Code-named "222" its case was a sophisticated one-piece construction opened by a screwed-in, porthole-type bezel and designed for intensive use under trying conditions. Along with an integrated bracelet, the 222 featured a luminous dial and hour markers providing perfect legibility through a glare-proofed sapphire crystal, plus a crown with twin protective gaskets. Crafted in gold, stainless steel or a combination of the two, the 222 was water-resistant to 120 meters (nearly 400 feet) and the case, unusually for the period, featured a protective antimagnetic screen. A contemporary, functional and exclusive watch it carried the ultra-thin and shock-resistant automatic movement 1121 driven by a 21K gold rotor. Today, the 222 is a watch that is a “must” in any 1970s watch collection – the forerunner of the Overseas Collection it marked the coming of age of the world of adventure, travel, sport and recreation and its inherent need for accurate timekeeping.



In 1996, the Overseas Collection was launched, introduced in three versions – Large, medium and ladies’ sizes. It instantly distinguished itself, winning recognition as one of the most accomplished timepieces in its class, its crisp, stylish lines and functional efficiency complimenting its powerful personality. In 2004, the Overseas benefited from further technical developments perpetuating its predecessors’ unique character and confirming the design’s enduring relevance with discreetly increased dimensions and even more smoothly flowing lines, an extra supple bracelet, and luminous coated dials and hands for optimum legibility in all conditions – all emphasizing its sought-after contemporary look. A major feature of the 2004 Collection was the incorporation of Vacheron Constantin’s state-of-the-art totally antimagnetic screen in soft-iron to protect the Overseas’ precious movement and prevent the innumerable magnetic fields, which threaten modern precision instruments, from affecting the movement’s rate and accuracy.

Given such a powerful history, what could be more perfect in 2006, than to celebrate the Overseas Collection’s 10th anniversary and mark its continuation at the top of Haute Hologerie world than with four new, much-awaited complication pieces: three totally new Overseas Dual Time watches – a complication most useful to travelers “overseas” – and the long awaited yellow gold Overseas Chronograph.

The Long Awaited Yellow Gold Overseas Chronograph

Redesigned in 2004, the Overseas Chronograph was, until now, only available in stainless steel, but to mark the 10th anniversary of the Overseas Collection, Vacheron Constantin designers have created the long awaited Overseas Collection 18K yellow gold self-winding chronograph. The case’s 42 mm diameter reveals a broad, easy-to-read dial. With a power reserve of 40 hours, its caliber 1137 selfwinding mechanical movement – beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour – comprises the meticulously hand-finished components that are the hallmark of all Vacheron Constantin movements. Vacheron Constantin’s renowned soft-iron antimagnetic screen certified to 25,000 A/m shields the movement from modern magnetic perturbations that threaten the precision of such highly technical complications.

Carrying all the much-loved Overseas Chronograph classic features: discreetly increased dimensions, smoothly flowing lines, extra supple demi-Maltese Cross bracelet, luminous coated dials and hands and the Maltese Cross and Overseas emblems, the yellow gold Overseas Chronograph epitomizes the tradition and complication of the Collection. The case’s screw-locked crown and pushpieces, the latter fitted with a knurled locking nut, offers complete protection against external hazards. Built to withstand pressures equivalent to 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) under water, the Overseas Chronograph remains perfectly legible even in dim light thanks to the highly luminous white compound coating on its gold index hour markers and baton hands. Along with its chronograph functions, hours, minutes, and seconds, the yellow gold Overseas Chronograph dial features two totalizers, to 30 minutes and 12 hours respectively, each with oxidized 18K gold hands, and an oversized date calendar in twin apertures at 12 o’clock. The whole is set against a typically exquisite Vacheron Constantin silver guillochéed dial.

The strength of its design is exemplified and endorsed by the exclusive Vacheron Constantin Maltese Cross configuration of its bracelet links, which symbol is also to be found on its bezel. Classic and luxurious, expressing the sleekly functional elegance and sporty image of its predecessors in alternately gloss- and satin-polished finish, the Overseas Chronograph in yellow gold is superbly wearable for both men and women.

The New Overseas Dual Time Watches

Totally new to the Overseas Collection are the three special Overseas Dual Time pieces to be launched during the Collection’s 10th anniversary celebrations, complementing and reinforcing Vacheron Constantin’s position at the top of Haute Hologerie. Not content with producing two superbly seductive Overseas Dual Time pieces: a yellow gold Overseas Dual Time (with silver guillochéed dial), and, following the tradition of the Overseas Collection in stainless steel (this last with a choice of either a black or silver guillochéed dial), the designers at Vacheron Constantin have also decided to go that one step further and have created for us a unique watch, an absolute visual and technical delight, an exquisite Overseas Dual Time in 18K rose gold with a mouth-watering, celebratory chocolate-colored dial available in a limited edition of just 250 pieces.

Traveling between continents and being continuously on the move are an accepted part of everyday life for today’s average professional, as is the ability to juggle time zones and to keep track of contacts wherever they are in the world. This is why the distinctive look, technical functions and attributes of the Overseas’ Dual Time compliment both its sporty heritage and the needs of the modern traveler. Driven by Vacheron Constantin’s self-winding caliber 1222 – beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour – it offers, in addition to hour, minute and center seconds - the possibility of easily reading off a second time zone from a 12-hour subdial situated at 6 o’clock, with a smaller complementary 24-hour indicator, positioned alongside it, easily distinguished by its hand sweeping over the day and night zones. The second time zone is adjusted very simply by means of the winding and time-setting crown, the whole is complimented by a date subdial and a sweeping 40-hour power reserve indicator. The typical Overseas indexes and baton hands are coated with a luminescent substance for optimum legibility at all times.

Faithful to its sporting heritage, the Overseas Dual Time case weds dependable sturdiness to understated elegance and its discreetly large 42mm diameter makes for perfect readability of all its functions. Its bezel, featuring a Maltese cross pattern – Vacheron Constantin’s long-standing symbol – and case back are screwed tightly to the frame, compressing numerous water-resisting gaskets so as to provide the most effective protection against moisture and minute particles of foreign matter. This constructional approach provides full water resistance to 150 meters (approx. 500 feet). Screw-locked setting crowns and chronograph pushpieces complete the watches’ external protection systems. Following the long observed tradition, the case’s screw-secured back bears the collection emblem – a sailing ship carved directly into the metal.

Inside the case, its caliber 1222 movement benefits from equally efficient protection. Every Overseas movement is totally shielded by a soft-iron antimagnetic screen, to protect the precious movement and prevent the innumerable magnetic fields, which threaten modern precision instruments, from affecting the movement’s rate and accuracy.

Totally designed for ergonomic excellence, the Overseas Dual Time bracelet provides unprecedented suppleness and comfort on the wrist. Easy to adjust, it benefits from a three-ply invisible clasp with twin safety catch. The exclusive Vacheron Constantin demi-Maltese Cross configuration of its links and its meticulous alternately gloss- and satin-polished finish give the bracelet its arresting good looks.