Vacheron Constantin is transforming its best-selling traveller’s piece into a titanium tourbillon. Unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2024, the latest Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon arrives in an entirely titanium case for the the very first, complete with the iconic and emblematic blue dial. It’s a bold and unashamedly innovative push for the heritage brand and it couldn’t come soon enough. With interest in the material steadily growing and the Overseas lineup among Vacheron Constantin‘s most important models, an all-titanium example isn’t so much a novelty as it is a necessity.
In recent years, we’ve seen a number of watchmakers move further into the realm of titanium, predominantly due to its weight reduction and durability principles. From TAG Heuer to MIDO, producers have shifted their perspective on the material, but few have gone as far as Vacheron Constantin. The watchmaker’s latest release doesn’t merely utilise titanium for the case, the entire piece is constructed from the material, from case to bracelet, crown to bezel.
“Born in 1996 and revisited eight years later, Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas collection embodies the same taste for discovery and pioneering spirit that has driven the brand to conquer new markets since the early 19th century,” Vacheron Constantin said in a statement. “By incorporating titanium watches, the collection adopts a character entirely in tune with the sporty, technical and adventurous watch codes that have distinguished it since its launch.”
Admittedly, this isn’t the first titanium Overseas Tourbillon we’ve seen. In 2022, the brand released an all-titanium exterior Overseas Tourbillon skeleton model, however, the model featured a different dial. This time around, Vacheron Constantin has crafted a translucent titanium blue-lacquered dial that features a sunburst satin-brushed flange highlighting the double-minute track, but there is one major standout to acknowledge.
It would be remiss to cover the new Overseas Tourbillon and not mention the shining star that sits at 6 o’clock. The tourbillon movement, which is designed to compensate for the effects of the earth’s gravity on the movement’s isochronism, is arguably one of watchmaking’s most important innovations, but it generally comes at the expense of thickness.
To combat this, Vacheron Constantin powered this complication 188-parat ultra-thin self-winding Calibre 2160, a movement that measures just 5.65mm thick. Operating at a frequency of 2.5 Hz, this addition displays the hours and minutes as well as the small seconds on the Maltese cross-shaped tourbillon carriages via a blued fastening screw.
“With its 22K gold peripheral oscillating weight arming the barrel for a comfortable 80-hour power reserve, the movement testifies to Vacheron Constantin’s technical mastery in the construction of ultra-thin complication movements,” the brand wrote.
On the surface, the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon is everything that a watch-lover could want. Exquisite design married with remarkable horological innovation and delivered in an ultra-modern case material; what’s not to love? According to Christian Selmoni, style & heritage director at Vacheron Constantin, nothing.
“This year’s model is an extension of its predecessor, picking up its codes yet with a different aesthetic featuring the collection’s emblematic blue dial and with titanium as the common denominator,” he said. “The result is a watch that is robust and very light thanks to the titanium, highly architectural thanks to its skeleton movement, yet extremely technical thanks to the presence of a tourbillon regulator, a guarantee of precision. In short, all the ingredients of a chic Overseas sports watch.”
The new 42.5mm Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon comes with an integrated titanium bracelet featuring a triple-blade folding clasp equipped with a comfort adjustment system. Available at Vacheron Constantin boutiques, no official pricing has been confirmed for the latest release, but if you ask me, it’s worth every penny.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon
- Brand: Vacheron Constantin
- Model: Overseas Tourbillon
- Reference Number: Ref. 6000V/210T-H032
- Diameter: 42.5mm
- Water Resistance: 50m
- Movement: Calibre 2160
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
