Pre-SIHH 2018 – Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time With New In-House Movement

This week, Vacheron Constantin is previewing one of the new additions it will be making to its popular Overseas collection in 2018, aptly named the Overseas Dual Time. Due to be officially launched at SIHH 2018, the Manufacture took the opportunity to get its new model in front of serious collectors from the Middle East (and further abroad) who attend the Dubai Watch Week event each year. Inside is the new Vacheron Constantin Caliber 5110 DT, which allows for the simultaneous reading of two time-zones, hence the name of the watch. A standard complication no doubt, but one that has been noticeably missing from the collection of this luxury sports watch.

Up until now, if you wanted a Vacheron Constantin Overseas with the ability to display a second time-zone, your only option was the Overseas World Time. Nothing wrong with that of course, it is a beautiful watch after all with an excellent complication but perhaps not suited to everyone’s tastes for daily wear. The new Overseas Dual Time, therefore, plugs an obvious yet important gap in the collection and does it with class and style, and of course a new in-house movement.

The 41mm case is similar to that of the Overseas Automatic 4500V, however, it is understandably a bit thicker at 12.8mm (versus 11.0mm) and will be available in your choice of steel or rose gold. The steel version offers a choice of either a translucent blue or silver-toned lacquered dial, both with a sunburst satin-finished base with a velvet-finished flange. The rose gold version meanwhile will only be offered with the silver-toned dial at this stage. All three versions are rated water resistant to 150m and of course feature Vacheron Constantin’s six-sided bezel inspired by the emblematic Maltese cross.

The dial layout is clean and very easy to read. Local time is indicated centrally via the faceted and luminescent gold hands and hour-markers, and there is a double chapter-ring running around the outside of the dial bearing the minutes and seconds scales. The second time-zone (often referred to as ‘home time’) is shown via the smaller hand tipped with a triangular arrow. At 9 o’clock there is a self-explanatory day/night indicator, which is linked to the home time. At 6 o’clock there is a pointer-type date display, adjusted and secured via a screw-lock pusher at 4 o’clock and synchronised with local time.

Adjusting both time-zone displays is done via the central crown. The time can be moved forwards or backwards, but it’s important to make sure the crown is in the right position first. Position 1 allows for an independent jumping adjustment of the local time only, while position 2 enables a dragging adjustment of both time-zones and minutes. This is all possible thanks to the new Caliber 5110 DT, which Vacheron Constantin has designed to be reliable and easy to use.

Visible through a sapphire caseback, the movement is comprised of 234 components and vibrates at a steady rate of 28,800vph (4hz). The automatic movement features a twin-barrel set up complete with a 22K gold Overseas oscillating weight, providing 60-hours of power in reserve. According to Vacheron Constantin, it is the result of several years of research and development and was created specifically with travellers in mind. Each version has been stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva, guaranteeing that the movement finishing meets extremely high standards.

Another attractive feature are the additional straps each model is delivered with. The steel versions come fitted on a stainless-steel bracelet with half Maltese cross-shaped polished and satin-brushed links, complete with Vacheron Constantin’s comfort-adjustment system. They are also accompanied by two additional straps complementing the shade of the dial. For the blue dial version, that means a blue alligator leather and a blue rubber strap, and for the silver dial version, it’s a black alligator leather strap and black rubber strap. The rose gold version meanwhile comes fitted with a brown alligator leather strap, accompanied by a second brown rubber strap. Thanks to Vacheron Constantin’s patented interchangeable system, the folding clasps can be easily changed between the straps for when you want to dress the watch up or down.

When officially launched next year, the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time will retail for EUR 25,600 in steel and EUR 40,900 in rose gold. More details on www.vacheron-constantin.com.

Technical Specifications – Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time 7900V

• Case: 41mm diameter x 12.8mm thick – stainless steel or 18k rose gold – polished and brushed – sapphire crystal on both sides – 150m water resistant
• Movement: Calibre 5110 DT, in-house – Hallmark of Geneva certification – automatic – 4Hz frequency – 60h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time-zone, day/night indicator.
• Bracelet/strap: Steel version: interchangeable steel bracelet – box includes rubber strap and leather strap, with steel folding buckle. Gold version: interchangeable leather strap – box includes additional rubber strap.
• Price: EUR 25,600 (steel) / EUR 40,900 (rose gold)
• Reference: 7900V