Vacheron Constantin: Opening up new aesthetic horizons with the Overseas chronograph “Everest” and Overseas dual time “Everest”
At the pinnacle of Haute Horlogerie and understated elegance, Vacheron Constantin has always created timepieces with unique technical and aesthetic signatures, and an extremely high level of finishing touches. Amongst their many aesthetic signatures is the Overseas collection. The Vacheron Constantin for sports enthusiasts and adventurers, the Overseas is reaching new heights and exploring new aesthetic territories, with these two new 150-piece limited editions: Overseas chronograph “Everest” and Overseas dual time “Everest”.
Inspired by the world’s highest peak, the Overseas chronograph “Everest” and Overseas dual time “Everest” watches celebrate adventure and self-surpassing, a mindset that is personified by the American explorer and photographer Cory Richards.
"Wearing an Overseas “Everest”, I’m reminded of everything from my childhood and everything that brought me to this moment in time...the trials, the seemingly endless learning through trial and error. The failures balanced against the successes. I’m actually emotional when I stop and contemplate what this watch actually says...about my life and what it can mean to others who wear it. To share such an enormous piece of me condensed into something so refined and beautiful is a humbling honor beyond the words I have. I guess what I feel most is gratitude. Gratitude for the time spent in the company of countless mentors and friends. Gratitude for the places seen and the effort given. And gratitude for everyone who has worked so hard to express all of that in a timepiece that encapsulates it all with such articulation, beauty, and thoughtfulness. I’ve always loved watches, but this is much more than that."
Cory Richards
Overseas chronograph “Everest”
The 42.5 mm light and versatile, yet equally suited to adventure and everyday challenges, this Overseas chronograph “Everest” is built from a contrasting combination of titanium and steel. Since it is a watch to accompany you on your adventures, the harmonious dial composition ensures optimal legibility of the chronograph indications, particularly with that bright orange colour of its central chronograph hand.
Steadily beating time behind the scenes is the self-winding Calibre 5200/2. This twin-barrel in-house movement is fitted with a column wheel orchestrating the chronograph function’s start, stop and reset operations featuring a vertical clutch to prevent any potential hand stuttering when the chronograph is started. Technical performance is complemented by a particularly contemporary aesthetic. The NAC treatment on the baseplate echoes the anthracite grey shades of this model, while the 22K pink gold oscillating weight bears an engraving of Mount “Everest” based on a photograph taken by Cory Richards during one of his expeditions to the Himalayan summit.
Overseas dual time “Everest”
This one is a feast for globetrotters and experienced explorers alike. Carved from a combination of titanium and stainless steel yet again, the 41mm Overseas dual time “Everest” houses the self-winding 5110 DT/2 movement which enables simultaneous reading of two time zones. In addition to the classic local-time indications, an arrow-tipped fourth orange hand displays your home time, coupled with a matching-coloured day/night indicator. The pointer-type date display at 6 o’clock is synchronised with local time, which can be adjusted by a dedicated pusher. The two time zones at 12 o’clock can be corrected by turning the crown in either direction. Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, the anthracite grey NAC treatment on the baseplate gives the movement a decidedly contemporary character. Just like the Overseas chronograph “Everest”, the 22K pink gold oscillating weight is adorned with an engraving of Mount Everest inspired by a photograph taken by Cory Richards.
They say that the "Luxury Sports Watch" category is the toughest and most complex one to be in. Well, clearly these new Overseas additions have knocked it out of the park, yet again.