Ever more technical, ever more exclusiveVacheron Constantin: The new Overseas Chronograph Perpetual Calendar
Overseas, Vacheron Constantin’s sporting and technical line, is taking a significant new step in 2011 with the introduction of an original perpetual calendar chronograph. The combination of these two major complications – among the most highly sought-after by devotees of mechanical fine watchmaking – is a first for the Overseas collection, which houses the remarkable Calibre 1136 QP within a steel case enhanced by a titanium bezel.
This impressive blend of ingredients is set to make this new watch a benchmark within the collection. The Overseas Chronograph Perpetual Calendar “Boutiques Exclusive” is issued in an 80-piece limited edition exclusively reserved for the 27 Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world.
Fine Watchmaking with a sporting vocation
With the perpetual calendar chronograph in the Overseas collection, Fine Watchmaking with a sporting vocation has found itself a sophisticated and elegant new ambassador. The only collection from the Geneva-based Manufacture to offer steel models, the Overseas line was enriched in 2009 with entirely grey-clad versions combining steel and titanium and featuring slate grey dials teamed with grey alligator leather or rubber straps. The remarkable success of these distinctive models encouraged Vacheron Constantin to round off this line with an exclusive model associating two major complications: the chronograph and the perpetual calendar. This new reference anchors the Overseas collection more firmly than ever in the domain of technical and sporting elegance.
At the heart of this exceptional model beats the 228-part Calibre 1136 QP, a mechanical self-winding movement – as one would expect from a sports watch – beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour and endowed with an approximately 40-hour power reserve. In addition to the hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock, Calibre 1136 QP powers the chronograph function as well as the perpetual calendar indicating the day of the week, the date, and the month on a 48-year cycle, complete with leap-year display and moon phases.
This newcomer to the Overseas collection comes in a generous 42 mm case that is water-resistant to 15 bar (approximately 150 metres). The collection’s emblematic bezel inspired by the Maltese Cross is made in titanium – as are the pushpiece guards – while the steel case incorporates a soft iron cage protecting the mechanical movement from magnetic fields. Another signature feature of the Overseas collection, the screw-down caseback features a medallion engraved with the famous Amerigo Vespucci three-masted sailing ship. Admirably complementing the chromatic theme of the steel case and titanium bezel, the sunburst satin-brushed slate grey dial is distinguished by 18-carat white gold applied hour-markers highlighted by a white luminescent substance. A first for Vacheron Constantin, the use of yellow to underscore the three hands relating to the chronograph function lends an additional dynamic touch and guarantees excellent readability.
Two straps
The Overseas Chronograph Perpetual Calendar “Boutiques Exclusive” is delivered with two straps: one in black vulcanised rubber and the other in dark grey alligator leather. A triple-blade double-pusher folding clasp guarantees secure and comfortable wear for the owner of this exceptional model.
Issued in an 80-piece limited edition, the Overseas Chronograph Perpetual Calendar “Boutiques Exclusive” heralds a new era in this sporting collection from Vacheron Constantin by taking it to new heights of technical complexity and elegance.