Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon 6000V
The visually striking complication makes its debut in the Overseas collection.
This year Vacheron Constantin looks to elevate its luxury sports watch to a new level with the introduction of a popular complication. For the first time, the iconic Overseas collection will include a self-winding tourbillon movement. You won’t find it wrapped up in precious metal though. Keeping with the sports watch ethos, VC will offer this beauty in a stainless steel, ultra-thin case. Read on for all the details.
The Overseas collection needs little introduction. Popular with collectors and enthusiasts alike, it is VC’s answer to the AP Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus. Over the years these steel luxury sports watches have evolved to become complicated masterpieces in their own right. For example, last year saw the debut of the Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740G and the Royal Oak RD#2, the world’s thinnest self-winding perpetual calendar.
VC of course already has an ultra-thin perpetual calendar chronograph in the Overseas line-up, as well as a World Time. As such, the introduction of a tourbillon this year makes quite a bit of sense. And we have to say, at first look, it seems quite striking.
As I mentioned earlier, this inaugural tourbillon model will be offered in stainless steel – I imagine a precious metal version will follow at some point too. At a glance, the watch looks similar to the time-only version, however, the case is a bit larger at 42.5mm in diameter. It’s also thinner at just 10.1mm thick. The characteristic six-side bezel is polished and contrasts nicely against the brushed finish of the case.
Moving inwards, a translucent blue-lacquered dial with sunburst satin finish provides a strong backdrop for the eye-catching tourbillon at 6 o’clock. Around the periphery is a velvet-finished flange. Time is indicated centrally by hour markers and hands crafted from 18k white gold and faceted for extra volume. A white luminescent coating ensures easy reading in low light conditions.
Inside, the self-winding tourbillon movement is the now-familiar, ultra-thin 188-part Calibre 2160. Introduced in 2018, it has already featured in the Traditionelle collection and also the FIFTYSIX Tourbillon. A manufacture movement, it measures just 5.65mm thick, thanks in part to the use of a 22k gold peripheral rotor. Beating at a frequency of 2.5 Hz, it provides a healthy 80-hour power reserve. A sapphire caseback offers a nice view of movement’s traditional finishing. On the dial side meanwhile, the openworked carriage is shaped like a Maltese Cross. Again, finishing is to a high-level. For example, the bar of the tourbillon carriage is entirely hand-bevelled, the result of around 12 hours of work.
As with other Overseas models, the new Overseas Tourbillon (Ref 6000V/110A-B544), features VC’s strap interchangeability concept. This means you have the choice of wearing it on a steel bracelet, a blue leather strap or a rubber strap, all easily interchangeable without the need for tools.
The price of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Ref 6000V will be EUR 112,000. More details at www.vacheron-constantin.com.