New Iterations of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Self-Winding 34.5mm, in Burgundy and Gold

Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas collection traces its origins to the 222 of 1977, one of the key icons of the slim, integrated luxury sports watch genre alongside the Royal Oak and Nautilus. Ever evolving, the collection was relaunched as the Overseas in 1996 and entered its third phase in 2016. Now a well-established family of sporty, elegant watches with a wide range of complications, the Overseas introduced smaller 34.5mm and 35mm case sizes in 2023. Today, Vacheron releases two new iterations of its compact unisex 34.5mm Overseas in rose gold or stainless steel cases.

Third-phase Overseas watches can be distinguished by their tonneau-shaped cases with six-sided bezels resembling the truncated arms of the brand’s Maltese Cross logo, and by fluid, integrated bracelets with half-Maltese Cross-shaped links. Another integral part of its identity is Vacheron’s tool-free interchangeable strap/bracelet system, one of the easiest ever devised, which gets a lot of use thanks to the three different options included in the package. Adding three-way versatility, the Overseas’ personality can be changed in an instant, from the comfort and practicality of an integrated bracelet to a more elegant alligator leather strap or a sporty textured rubber strap. The bracelet also has an in-built extension system, and an extra triple-blade folding clasp is provided for the rubber and leather straps.

The smallest representatives of the Overseas family range in size from 34.5mm to 35mm (excluding the 33mm quartz-powered references), depending on whether they are set with diamonds. Unlike the gem-set models, certain signature design elements, such as the Maltese Cross-shaped bezel, really stand out. Designed to broaden the collection’s appeal to people with smaller wrists – men and women alike – the two new references come in 34.5mm rose gold or steel cases.

Like all Overseas models, the 34.5mm models feature the dynamic three-tiered case construction, starting with the tonneau-shaped base surmounted by a circular plinth that supports the signature six-sided bezel. Just 9.3mm thick and water-resistant to 150 metres, the architecture stands out with distinct finishes: the bezel is polished, the plinth has a circular satin brush, and the top surfaces of the case and integrated bracelet are decorated with a vertical satin brush, with brightly polished sides.

The rose gold model goes for a monochrome look and is paired with a lacquered golden dial with a sunburst base and velvety-finished peripheral minutes track, hand-applied pink gold hour markers and hands treated with blue-emission Super-LumiNova. The steel reference opts for a more dramatic contrast with its eye-catching deep-red lacquered dial. Although it features the same finishes, the red dial has a steel ring separating the sunburst centre from the outer minutes track, giving it a more technical, sportier air. The date window at 3 o’clock has a bevelled frame with a polished exterior and a grained interior.

The Overseas is powered by the slim in-house automatic calibre 1088/1. The 144-part movement has a 4Hz frequency, a 40-hour power reserve, and an anti-magnetic soft-iron casing ring. Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback is the 22k gold rotor decorated with a compass rose.

The steel model is paired with a steel bracelet, a shiny red alligator strap and a red rubber strap and retails for EUR 26,800. The pink gold reference comes with a pink gold bracelet, a white alligator strap and a sporty white textured rubber strap and retails for EUR 60,000. More information at vacheron-constantin.com.