A New Era Where Tradition Meets the Latest

If 2015 marked the 260th anniversary, then 2016 represents the first step into a new journey. Visitors to the booth of Vacheron Constantin, one of the world's oldest watch brands, might have felt this very sentiment.

Upon visiting the Vacheron Constantin booth, the first thing that catches the eye is the "Reference 57260," the "most complicated watch in history," introduced in 2015 (see details here).Watch details hereThis watch incorporates numerous newly developed technologies, but it can be said to be the culmination of 260 years of tradition cultivated by Geneva's cabinotiers.



And the role of conveying the opening of a new chapter fell to a relatively young collection at Vacheron Constantin: the complete renewal of the luxury sports model "Overseas."

Equipped with New Calibers

The 1970s saw the emergence of many steel luxury sports watches from high-end maisons, and the "222," the origin of Vacheron Constantin's "Overseas," also debuted in 1977. Since then, it has evolved, incorporating motifs like the Maltese cross, to reach the present day. Examining the most basic men's "Overseas" reveals that the新作 of an esteemed veteran brand never neglects the fundamentals.

The newly developed automatic movement, Caliber 5100, is an excellent three-hand movement. It is equipped with two barrels to house the mainspring, ensuring a power reserve of 60 hours. This power reserve is sufficient to keep the watch running even if it's taken off over the weekend, making it highly practical. The automatic winding rotor is made of 22K gold, and its high density contributes to excellent winding energy efficiency.



Furthermore, not only is the rotor beautiful, but the entire movement is adorned with decorations that carry on Geneva's tradition. Naturally, it is certified by the Geneva Seal, the quality standard for watches stipulated by the Canton of Geneva. With the stricter criteria implemented in 2012, which also include accuracy standards, it is truly the mark of the oldest manufacture consistently based in Geneva to meet these new requirements.

The case features a soft iron inner ring, enhancing magnetic resistance and enabling a see-through case back. In addition to the stainless steel bracelet, it comes with rubber and alligator straps in colors matching the dial, and the proprietary interchangeable system allows for easy strap changes. This system also allows the bracelet to be extended by up to 4mm.

The ladies' jewelry version, the "Overseas Small Model" with small seconds at 9 o'clock, has also been renewed with Caliber 5300, featuring similar technical specifications.

These are new models that make one want to spend time with both men and women wearing the new "Overseas" on their wrists.

Page02.A Chronograph Beyond Current Technical Standards

A Chronograph Beyond Current Technical Standards

Page03.Slim Yet Complicated

Slim Yet Complicated

Achieving both complications and slimness is a challenge in watchmaking. A perpetual calendar, essentially a mechanical computer, requires a mechanism that displays numerous indications and eliminates the need for manual adjustments for leap years and end-of-month dates, resulting in a dense arrangement of gears and discs.

However, Vacheron Constantin, a master of complex mechanisms, overcomes this challenge with apparent ease. The Caliber 1120QP housed in this watch has a movement thickness of just 4.05mm, and it's an automatic. This is exceptionally thin for a perpetual calendar movement with a full calendar and moon phase complication. The finishing, which meets the Geneva Seal standards for both external appearance and precision, is impeccable.

Consequently, the case thickness is an astonishing sub-10mm at only 8.1mm, a dimension typically found in simple manual-wind, three-hand models from other manufacturers. This model, combining the dynamism of the "Overseas" with the elegance of an "extra-flat" design and the intricate mechanism of a "perpetual calendar," is truly a marvel.