As for our 40th Recommended Watch, and as promised that every 10th should be really something significant in the world of watches, we thought it would be best that it had to come from one of the holy trinity of Swiss watchmaking, Vacheron Constantin. Now it would be a disgrace if this is the first time you've hear about the brand but something you must know about VC's history, the true claim that tops every watch brand is that they are the longest running watch company in the world, established in 1755, yup thats not a typo, by Jean-Marc Vacheron. Then fast forward to the future, VC is now part of the Richemont Group, which now we can say a brother of Omega watches and definitely under good hands. And aside from this known fact, VC is has a very interesting history when it comes to luxury sports watches.
During its 222nd anniversary in 1977, Vacheron Constantin launched a sports luxury watch to commemorate the celebration, which was model no. 222 of course.
And as you may have may have read or known, the 70's was a time when popular the horological genius Gerald Genta had designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilius, both iconic watches of today that resemble bold luxury pieces where its unique designs from dials, case to bracelets is unmistakeable even from a far. And VC's 222 was even believed to be also a brainchild of Genta, it was actually Jorge Hysek who conceived also the similarly looking timepiece, all steel with integrated bracelet and edgy case and bezel. What makes the 222 very interesting is I find the design more exclusive and rare compared to the RO, Naut and Ingy considering the VC doesn't have anything that quite looks like this in the present line-up but has certainly is the inspiration or grand father of the ultra special Overseas collection. To which is my 40th WWR here in SOT. The latest Vacheron Constantin Oversease Chronograph Perpetual Calendar in 18K 5N pink gold.
We can see some resemblance but i like it that VC has evolved their design into something more adaptable and different for our generation. The Overseas is one beautiful watch that can virtually match any material, band, or wearer and not too common in the eyes of a noob.
I have chosen the overseas ref no. 49020/000R-9753 since ever since I laid eyes on the character Eric Murphy wearing one in HBO's Entourage way way back, it made a visual stamp of how it looked good and looked extermely luxurious and yet simple, making even the WIS in me look and back and think again if it is really something cool and not too blingy for those at the top.
Though I cannot say that this is not the exact model that Eric Murphy wore on that show, but Im quite sure it was on a Gold case, and brown leather which complements the case like a golden saddle on a fine brown thorough bread, strong yet classy.
If you can see, unlike the naut, RO and Ingy where the case and bezel designs are too similar to its version of todays, the Overseas has a more simplistic and VC logo like bezel, over a perfectly edgy round case.
Though I usually don't usually like integrated band design like those of many Oris and Techno marine's, i believe only an AP RO, PP Naut, IWC Ingy and VC Overseas can exceptionally pull it off. This design makes strap changing a headache and very exclusive, but the case design can never have a regular lug design, it would be a disaster.
The VC Overseas aside from cased in precious metals, under the hood is also something very practical and useful. The chronograph, perpetual calendar and antimagnetic are great complications for real everyday tasks.
Technical details below.
Movement:
Reference: 1136 QP
Energy: automatic
Thickness (mm): 7.90
Diameter (mm): 28.00 (11''' ¼)
Number of parts: 228
Number of jewels: 37
Frequency: 3 Hz (21'600 v.p.h.)
Power-reserve (hours): 40 approx.
Indication: hours, minutes, small second, perpetual calendar (hand-type calendar, day of the week, month, leap year, moon phases), chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hour counters
Case:
Material of the case: 18K 5N pink gold
Size (mm): 42.00
Thickness (mm): 12.80
Back: Solid caseback stamped with the "Overseas" medallion
Water-resistance (bar): 15
Others:
Material of the dial: metal
Strap: alligator Mississippiensis
Clasp: folding clasp
Specificity:
Screwed-down crown
Screwed-down pushpiece
Anti-magnetic protection to 25,000 A/m
Delivered with a second strap
Delivered with a corrector pen
Now the Overseas is definitely a superb watch that doesn't get too much fan fare compared to the RO, Naut and Ingy, and that it isn't a Genta offspring, but I believe being the odd model from the four yet is on the same level when it comes to design, craftsmanship and history from the oldest watch making company around that still to this day amidst the many evolutions in time, sits atop with the rest relying it's own brains to rival the best.
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