With the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton, the brand is presenting a skeletonised version of the Overseas with tourbillon. In addition to a variant with a pink gold case, the house is also launching a model made entirely of titanium – a first for the brand. The calibre 2160 powering the watch was skeletonised and reworked and presents itself through the dial and caseback. As is customary in the Overseas range, the watches come with swappable bands.
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton is presented in an 18-carat 5N pink gold case. However, it also comes in a version made of full titanium – a first for the manufacture. In fact, Vacheron Constantin has never before produced a watch made entirely of the light metal. In either case, the diameter is 42.5 mm with a height of 10.39 mm. Both housings have a vertical satin finish and polished sides. The bezel ring has a circular satin finish on the pink gold version and a sandblasted finish on the titanium version. On the back, the transparent sapphire crystal case back allows a view inside.
The dial consists of a ring and applied indices on a sapphire crystal disc. The ring appears in blue or black, depending on the model, and bears the minute track. The indices are made of either pink gold or white gold and, like the hands, are luminescent. At 12 o’clock, there is also an applied Maltese cross. The tourbillon at 6 o’clock serves as a small seconds and has a subdial with a seconds graduation.
For these timepieces, the watchmakers have skeletonised the calibre 2160, thereby reducing its weight by 20%. The construction of the movement has also been revised, so that it measures only 5.65 mm in height. Nevertheless, there is room for the tourbillon cage in the form of a Maltese cross. The latter attaches to a polished bridge and rotates once a minute. Thus, the tourbillon also functions as a small seconds. A coloured screw points to the corresponding position on the surrounding scale. The regulator itself also undergoes an improvement: inside, an in-house Breguet spiral is oscillates, optimising the rate through concentric expansion.
Elsewhere, a peripheral golden oscillating weight powers the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton. It moves along the edge of the movement, revealing the mechanics. The barrel, in turn, supplies 80 hours of autonomy and has an openworked dial side, creating the shape of a wind rose. The structure of the movement appears anthracite grey thanks to an electrolytic surface treatment. Elsewhere, classic finishes such as chamfers with polished edges are seen. Last but not least, the movement bears the strict Hallmark of Geneva, which guarantees the highest quality of all components.
The two versions of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton also offer a interchangeable strap system. This allows the wearer to switch easily and quickly between the three straps supplied. The metal bracelet picks up the brand logo with the shape of the links. There is also a leather and a rubber strap. While the interchangeable straps are black on the gold version, they are blue on the titanium version. The black straps also have a pink gold pin buckle. The blue straps, on the other hand, have a titanium folding clasp.
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton in pink gold or titanium is available now. The titanium version, however, can only be purchased at Vacheron Constantin boutiques.
