Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph with Deep Blue Dial

Some real die-hard watch aficionados just have to see a small detail of a watch, to recognize its brand and model. However when a recognizable details becomes recognizable for the majority of watch collectors, then perhaps it’s time to acknowledge it has become iconic. 

Vacheron Constantin just released a new version of the stainless steel Overseas Chronograph with a gorgeous deep blue dial. A very nice addition to the black and white dial steel Overseas Chronograph and the gorgeous Overseas Steel and Titanium. A few words to describe the newcomer: elegant, sporty, chic and of course Haute Horlogerie.

The bracelet of the Overseas collection, with its links shaped like a half Maltese Cross, is very supple and comfortable on the wrist. Together with the bezel, that is also heavily inspired by the Maltese Cross, these are the details that are so recognizable that they have become iconic.

From the very first Overseas that was launched in 1996, it has become an elegant and chic sporting line for Vacheron Constantin. Water-resistance to 15 bar (or 150 meters) of the 42 mm stainless steel case, is ensured by its crown and its screw-lock pushers, making the Overseas a perfect all-round watch. Its soft iron cage protects the mechanical movement from magnetic fields of up to 25,000 A/m.

The lacquered blue dial features three counters with rhodium diamond-polished circled surroundings and two apertures for the large date. The 18k white gold hands and hour-markers are equipped with white luminescent material, ensuring the watch has perfect legibility.

Inside ticks the in-house caliber 1137, a mechanical self-winding chronograph movement comprising 183 parts, endowed with a 40-hour power reserve and beating at the frequency of 21,600 vibrations/hour. In addition to the hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock along with the chronograph functions – sweep seconds-hand, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock – the Overseas Chronograph features a large date that is visible through a twin aperture at 12 o’clock.

This new Overseas Chronograph model from Vacheron Constantin once again demonstrates that mechanical complexity can work wonders when it is combined with iconic design.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Reference – 49150/B01A-9745 Overseas Chronograph
• Calibre – 1137 Mechanical self-winding
• Movement thickness – 6.60 mm
• Movement diameter – 26.20 mm (11 1⁄4 lignes)
• Jewelling – 37 jewels
• Number of parts – 183
• Frequency – 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
• Indications – Hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock, Chronograph with column wheel, Large date at 12 o’clock, 12-hour and 30-minute counters
• Power reserve – Approximately 40 hours
• Case – Stainless steel, Screwed-down crown and pushpieces, Solid case-back with stamped “Overseas” medallion Satin-finished table, polished bezel, chamfered edges
• Water resistance – Tested at a pressure of 15 bar (approx. 150 metres)
• Dial – Laquered blue shiny dial, Blue snailed counters with rhodiumized diamond-polished filets, Hands and hour-markers in 18K white gold with white luminescent material
• Strap – Stainless steel, polished and satin-finished half Maltese cross links
• Clasp – Stainless steel triple blade folding clasp, double security with buttons

For more information, please visit the Vacheron Constantin website.

This article is written by Frank Geelen, executive editor for Monochrome Watches.