The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Self-Winding 35mm Gets A Full Gem-Set Touch

Vacheron Constantin’s luxury sports watch, the Overseas, has come a long way since its 1996 debut as the spiritual heir to the iconic 1977 reference 222. Now in its third generation, the Overseas is a versatile unisex collection with a wide range of case sizes, complications, and the brand’s winning DIY interchangeable strap/bracelet system. Just ahead of the holiday season, VC introduces two 35mm Overseas Self-Winding full-set high jewellery models. Showcasing the brand’s gem-setting prowess, the cases, dials and bracelets sparkle with the radiant light of 1,430 baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds.

Without sacrificing its aesthetic codes and functionality, a smaller 35mm Overseas case size was introduced in 2023. For the new high jewellery 18k pink gold and white gold models, the collection’s signature six-sided bezel, designed to resemble the arms of the brand’s Maltese Cross insignia, is set with 60 baguette-cut diamonds. Using an invisible setting, the stones seem to float above the gold surface, with no sign of the underlying structure. This seamless surface belies the framework of gold rails that hold the gemstones. A tiny V-shaped groove cut into the diamond allows it to be slid into the rails but requires millimetric tolerances, ensuring the stone sits flush with no gaps or visible metal.

Creating a scintillating icy surface, Vacheron’s expert gem-setters have blanketed the dial with 314 brilliant-cut diamonds. Floating above the frozen landscape, the 12 baguette-cut indices mark the hours, and the 18k white gold or pink gold hour and minute hands feature an inlay of blue Super-LumiNova. The baguette-cut diamond at 3 o’clock has been truncated to incorporate the date window. Still featuring the screw-down crown and sapphire crystals front and back, this full-set edition has a slightly lower water-resistance rating of 50 metres.

While most high jewellery watches come with a matching jewellery bracelet, the Overseas comes with three fully interchangeable options. The impressive gold bracelet, set with 884 brilliant-cut diamonds, can be exchanged for white rubber or shiny alligator straps (brilliant blue for the white gold model and fuchsia for the pink gold). In tone with the high jewellery spirit of the watch, the straps are secured by a fully interchangeable matching gold pin buckle set with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Vacheron’s slim 3.83mm-thick automatic calibre 1088/1 powers the hours, minutes, seconds and date of these 35mm models. With 144 components and a 4Hz frequency, the movement delivers a 40h power reserve and has a soft-iron casing ring for anti-magnetic protection. Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback is the signature 22k gold rotor decorated with a compass rose. The price of the iced-out Overseas Self-Winding 35mm in pink or white gold is CHF 264,000. More information at vacheron-constantin.com.