Vacheron Constantin has unveiled a brand new version of its Overseas 3, and it’s exclusive to the Middle East. The two new timepiece take inspiration from the colours of the desert and features a brown dial with a gold strap (there’s also a ladies version with diamond-crown).
Speaking at the launch event, at the Vacheron Constantin event in Dubai Mall, brand Director Alexander Shchmiedt said, “Only those who understand the past can understand the present and the future because it is from the past that we learn”. That sums up not only the spirit of the region but also that of Vacheron Constantin.
Here’s a look at the both timepieces, as well as some history of the overseas.
The Overseas over time
When you think of Vacheron Constantin, many people don’t immediately think of sports. However, history is full of examples of how Vacheron was influential in shaping the sports watch we know today. In 1885, for instance, there was no such thing as a sports watch. But there was a desire to create reliable and viable watches. Vacheron was the first to do that, making the first anti-magnetic protections for pocket watches.
At the turn of the century, Vacheron produced one of the first water-resistant watches of all time – which is now an essential element of the sports watch. After that, watches moved on to the wrist. While silver and gold became the most common metal for these watches, they are soft metals; easily scratch able. Today, most sports watches are made of steel, but in 1933 Vacheron Constantin created the first sport, casual pieces ever to be made out of the metal.
The first Overseas was released in 1977, a few years after the Royal Oak in 1972 and the Nautilus in 1976. – and was called the 222 (because it was released on the 222nd anniversary of Vacheron). The Overseas 1 was released in the 1990s, the Overseas 2 in mid-2000’s and then in 2016, we presented the Overseas 3.
In detail: The Overseas 3 Chronograph Middle East Exclusive
Vacheron Constantin has created a few special editions around the world, but this is the first special edition of the Overseas 3 that will be available solely in the Middle East. The inspiration of the piece is colour. Specifically, the colour of the Middle East. Think of the different browns of the desert, the colour of dates and coffee, the old buildings, and the like.
The dial of this particular Overseas – which is usually blue – has been coated with a brown lacquer, that intensifies in particular light. The dials alternate between sunburst snails and velvety finishes, while the gold luminescent facetted hands and hour-markers echo that gold case.
Speaking of the case, the screwed-down caseback is fitted with a sapphire crystal and reveals a 22-karat gold oscillating weight adorned with a wind rose – the universal symbol of travellers. The case has also been sandblasted, polished and features a grained finish.
The movement
Sadly (depending on how you look at it) the exclusivity of this watch lies only skin deep. Underneath the gold hood lies Vacheron Constantin’s Calibre 5200, a self-winding chronograph movement developed in-house. Made of 263-components, it’s fitted with a column wheel that coordinates the chrono start, stop and reset functions, as well as a vertical coupling clutch that prevents any jerking of the hand when the chronograph starts.
The movement has a second barrel that provides a 50-hour power reserve. All functions are displayed on that brown dial, including hours, minutes, seconds, and chronograph and date indications.
The Overseas Chronograph comes in an 18-karat pink gold, 42.5mm case and has a guaranteed water-resistance to 150-metres. It’s available right now from the Dubai Mall boutique and costs AED185,400 (US$50,475)
The smaller model
The Middle East also gets another, smaller model of the Overseas 3. This one has the same dial and case material, however, comes with 84 round-cut diamonds (totalling over one carat) that are set on its six-sided bezel.
At its heart beats Vacheron’s calibre 5300. This 128-part self-winding movement powers the hours, minutes and small seconds at the 9 o’clock. It comes with a two day power reserve. It’s available in either 18k pink gold or stainless steel, and measures in at 37mm. It costs AED194,300 (US$52,900)
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