From its very beginnings, Vacheron Constantin has been marked by a spirit of travel, setting off on journeys to meet customers all over the world. As a tribute to this globetrotting culture and to its fans on all continents, Vacheron Constantin captures this vocation in an artistic manner with the Overseas Tour.
How can you talk about world time without mentioning a few figures? Twenty years after the launch of the Overseas sports watch, Vacheron Constantin presented a new model in six different versions at the SIHH 2016 (chronograph, date, ladies’, ultra-thin and perpetual calendar) and now adds an Overseas World Time model, available with three dial colours (silvered, blue or brown). Why settle for just 24 time zones when you can indicate 37, taking into account those whose difference from UTC includes a 15 or 30 minute offset? A sun-brushed, satin-finished decoration for the continents and a velvety texture for the oceans create a captivating look at the centre of the dial, around which the names of the 37 cities are listed on a translucent lacquered disc. A sapphire disc with a graduated smoked effect is superimposed on the map of the world to indicate day and night and is synchronised with the outer 24-hour disc, which is itself surrounded by the minute scale on the edge of the dial. The spectacle continues on the case back, in steel, where the dance of time is punctuated by the movements of the sand-blasted and grained finish of the gold oscillating mass, which is decorated with a compass, the symbol of travel. Comprising 255 components, the calibre 2460WT was, of course, designed and produced entirely in-house by Vacheron Constantin, offers a guaranteed power reserve of 40 hours and bears the exclusive Geneva Hallmark.
The new Overseas models come with three interchangeable bracelets
The interchangeable bracelets were presented on all new Overseas models at the SIHH 2016 and are also available on the new Overseas World Time. They are a highly appreciated practical bonus with an easy-to-use mechanism for changing them. Every new Overseas model comes with the three bracelets that can be changed to adapt to your mood or a particular activity, without the need for a tool and just by pressing a button: one in steel, with brushed and polished links in the form of a half Maltese Cross, and two straps in a choice of colours (blue, brown, black) in rubber and hand-stitched alligator leather with large square scales and a black nubuck lining with a micro-perforated effect. For the ultimate touch of comfort, the ensemble is completed by a second folding clasp with three blades, with pushbuttons and a patented interchangeable system that is compatible with all bracelets.
Vacheron Constantin through the eyes of Steve McCurry
Vacheron Constantin teamed up with photographer Steve McCurry to create the Overseas Tour and add to the 20th anniversary of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas an artistic touch full of emotion and history. As a privileged witness to our modern-day world, the Overseas Tour will stop at 12 locations where space and time come together. The first six stops have been unveiled to a few select media and evoke places with a powerful significance: the Padre Tembleque aqueduct (Mexico) to represent the hour of transmission, Grand Central station in New York (USA) for the hour of movement, the Chand Baori step well (India) for the hour of marvel, the Giant Buddha in Leshan (China) for the hour of serenity, the hot springs of Tsurunoyu (Japan) represent the hour of ritual, while the Vacheron Constantin headquarters stand for the hour of inspiration.
Click on the image at the top of the article to view a slideshow of pictures taken by Steve McCurry and the Overseas Tour.
