Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest watch manufacture in continuous operation, introduced a new timepiece in its Overseas collection. The titanium watch features a tourbillon and a new deep red dial color.
The Overseas collection was first introduced in 1996, and made quite a splash with its robust, sporty-elegant style. The watch attracted world travelers who wanted a timepiece that could withstand a few bumps along the road (or in the sky). In the ensuing years, Vacheron Constantin has introduced many iterations of the now-iconic Overseas. And the newest Overseas marks the first time that Vacheron has paired a titanium case with a deep red dial.
“The Overseas watches form a collection that lends itself beautifully to new [dial] color explorations,” said Christian Selmoni, the brand’s style and heritage director. “This became clear when the Maison introduced a pink hue on certain women’s models and, more recently, intense green or gold dial colors. From there, it was interesting to continue by introducing new variations that bring a touch of originality. The deep red color, elegant and intense, fits perfectly into this vision.”
A Spirit of Adventure
It’s a strong color for a strong watch. Titanium’s density is about half that of steel and it’s 30% stronger. It is also hypoallergenic, and combined with superior corrosion resistance, titanium is an ideal metal for a sports watch. “In short, it is a material perfectly suited to the Overseas spirit, a watch designed to withstand the rigors of travel,” Selmoni said.
The Overseas is equipped with a highly accurate self-winding movement with a tourbillon. Tourbillons have a history of being somewhat delicate and susceptible to shocks. In recent years, Vacheron has developed systems and advanced technologies to protect the mechanism.
Defying Gravity
“Since the invention of the tourbillon in the early 19th century, watchmaking technology has undergone major advancements,” Selmoni said.“These advancements concern not only materials science but also crucial elements such as shock-absorbing systems that protect the regulating organs. These two elements combined now make it possible to create tourbillon watches suited to an active lifestyle with a sporty elegance unthinkable just a few decades ago. Add to that a case made entirely of titanium, and you have a slim, lightweight, and robust watch with exemplary precision thanks to its tourbillon regulator, which compensates for the effects of gravity.”
The new Overseas Tourbillon is equipped with a titanium bracelet and comes with two additional straps in deep red and white rubber. The straps are easily interchangeable on the fly without the need for tools. The watch is powered by the brand’s caliber 2160, which is self-winding. With 80 hours of power reserve when fully wound and a water resistance of 50 meters, the watch is ready for adventure.