The New Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Titanium

Incarnating Vacheron Constantin’s sophisticated vision of a luxury sports watch, the Overseas has its roots in the 222, a 1977 model designed to celebrate the brand’s 222^nd anniversary. Following a major overhaul in 2016, the brand released the third generation Overseas with a host of complications and a versatile interchangeable strap and bracelet system. The tourbillon complication was incorporated in 2019. Following editions in steel, white gold and rose gold, Vacheron announces a new version clad in titanium from head to toe. Identical to former editions, including the signature Overseas blue dial colour, the novelty for 2024 is the choice of a material.

Titanium – which is 30% more resistant than steel and only half its weight – is not new to the Overseas family and has been used in limited editions in the past. Two special Overseas Everest editions for mountaineer Cory Richards were produced with titanium elements combined with other materials. In 2002, the brand offered the first all-titanium Overseas Tourbillon skeletonised model, a first in the collection and the precursor of this year’s model with its closed dial and aperture for the tourbillon.

The entire habillage of the 2024 Overseas Tourbillon is made of titanium, from the case to the integrated bracelet and from the crown to the bezel. Although titanium is not the easiest metal to work with, it gives the watch a sportier, more technical edge. To achieve the superior finishings practised at Vacheron, special care has been given to reproducing the contrasting finishings that exalt the geometric shapes of the case. Sharing identical specs to earlier editions, the 50m water-resistant case has a 42.5mm diameter and a thickness of 10.39mm.

Blue is the flagship colour of the Overseas family, and the dial features a translucent blue lacquer that changes from dark to light blue depending on the light. In keeping with its sporty spirit, the applied white gold indices and hands are treated with blue Super-LumiNova, and the flange has a double minutes track. The large aperture at 6 o’clock hosts the tourbillon regulator. Given the emphasis on the material chosen for this year’s Overseas Tourbillon, perhaps a new dial colour would have given it more visibility.

Powered by the ultra-thin calibre 2160 with a thickness of just 5.65mm, the 22k gold peripheral rotor arms the barrel with an 80-hour power reserve. Finished according to VC’s high standards, the movement is decorated with circular graining, Côtes de Genève on the bridges, chamfered and polished screws and a hand-polished tourbillon bar.

Versatility is the name of the game, and the Overseas Tourbillon comes with an integrated titanium bracelet fitted with a triple-blade folding clasp and a comfort adjustment system. This can be swapped without tools for the blue calfskin leather or the blue rubber straps provided in the box. The Overseas Tourbillon in titanium will be available exclusively from Vacheron Constantin Boutiques. The price is to be confirmed.

For more information, please visit vacheron-constantin.com.