Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin: 1 Watch, 2 x Gold, 3 Straps

I must confess, I am biased: mechanical watch aficionados, in my view, generally have a good relationship with the passage of time. This often goes hand in hand with a certain worldliness and a desire to fill one’s time with a wealth of experiences – preferably while travelling. Those who confirm my preconception will find themselves well served by Vacheron Constantin‘s Overseas collection. It masters the art of casual elegance while offering a variety of sizes, materials, and functions without ever compromising its design DNA.

Add to that the effortless interchangeability of the straps, allowing for a quick change of styles. Practical versatility when travelling – who doesn’t appreciate that? Yet this has nothing to do with simple watchmaking; quite the opposite. The new Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin, available in two editions, is the latest proof.

The Case of the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin: A Sleek Design in Rose Gold and White Gold

The protective case is remarkably slim: unusual in the watchmaking world at large, yet quintessentially Vacheron Constantin. Another highlight is the cuff-friendly glass rim introduced with the collection’s reinterpretation in 2016. An Overseas thus adapts seamlessly to any travel wardrobe.

Of course, this also applies to this new duo. The case of both models measures 41.5 millimetres in diameter, is just 8.1 millimetres slim and water-resistant to 5 bar. And whether one prefers the warmth of rose gold or the cool allure of white gold, the new Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin duo offers a case crafted in 18-carat precious metal for either preference.

The Dial: Matching in Gold or Sporty-Elegant in Burgundy

Vacheron Constantin pairs the 18-carat rose gold case (reference 4300V/220R-H144) with a matching dial, finished in translucent lacquer and a sunburst satin-brushed pattern.

This harmonised aesthetic continues seamlessly on the moon-phase display, as well as on the hour markers and the hour and minute hands, all filled with Super-LumiNova. Subtle accents in blue and black highlight the minute track, the subdial inscriptions, and the logo.

The second version, housed in white gold (reference 4300V/220G-H151) with a burgundy lacquered sunburst dial, exudes a markedly sportier character. The moon-phase disc and moons are also crafted in 18-carat white gold, as are the hour and minute hands, which additionally feature Super-LumiNova.

Ultra-Thin: The Calibre 1120 QP/1 by Vacheron Constantin

The in-house calibre 1120 QP/1 measures just 4.05 millimetres in height, features automatic winding and offers a 40-hour power reserve. It beats at a leisurely 2.75 Hertz or 19,800 vibrations per hour. Protection against disruptive magnetic fields is provided by a soft iron casing ring.

In total, 276 components deliver a wealth of functions, including, alongside the essential display of time, the much-admired moon-phase indicator at six o’clock.

Then there is the perpetual calendar. The challenge with this sophisticated complication lies in the fact that months and years are not of uniform length, unlike days. Yet with the new Overseas models, no manual correction of the perpetual calendar is required until the year 2100. Until then, one can enjoy the enduring precision of the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin without interruption. For the calibre 1120 QP/1 has all the ‘anomalies’ of our Gregorian calendar firmly under control, just like a miniature computer.

It achieves this with far greater beauty, as a glance through the sapphire crystal caseback reveals. There, the 22-carat gold oscillating weight can be admired. It is decorated with a compass rose, a detail that will delight globetrotters. The movement is further enhanced with hallmarks of haute horlogerie, including Geneva stripes, vertical satin-brushing, circular graining, bevelling, and perlage.

Three Straps, Three Styles

As befits cases in rose gold and white gold, they are paired with bracelets of equal refinement. Their polished and vertically satin-brushed links evoke the shape of the Maltese cross, the emblem of Vacheron Constantin, which the manufacture registered in four variants at the Federal Institute in Bern as early as 1880.

The triple-folding clasp in 18-carat gold ensures both security and, thanks to fine adjustment, a high level of wearing comfort. When one may wish to take only a single watch on their travels yet adapt it to different styles, the interchangeable system proves itself to be particularly handy. Thanks to it, the three included straps can be swapped in seconds and without tools: rose gold for white or blue rubber, and white gold for white or burgundy rubber.

Price & Availability

The new Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin models are available now, each priced at 133,000 euros.

vacheron-constantin.com

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