The Low-Down
In 2019, photographer and mountaineer Cory Richards climbed the world’s tallest peak with a watch on his wrist. In and of itself, this isn’t so strange. But the watch Richards relied on while charting a new line up the mighty mountain was pretty special. A prototype Vacheron Constantin Overseas, with a modern look, cased in titanium and tantalum. When news of this unicorn surfaced, the crowd immediately — and unsurprisingly — went wild, clamouring for a civilian release version. Well, ask and ye shall receive (kind of), as today Vacheron Constantin has announced two new ‘Everest’ limited editions, a dual time and a chronograph that honour the spirit of this sporty pioneering prototype.
IMHO
Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas is already a great watch — one that absolutely nails the sports luxe brief. These two new watches add a modern, utilitarian aesthetic that just works. Top line, these two new models play on the established Overseas tune and add in grey-blue grained dials and some orange highlights (that second time zone hand on the Dual Time!), which look, frankly, hot. This style covers over into the straps, which, as per usual for the Overseas, are quick change. Here you get two in the box, a tough-looking Cordura number with contrast orange stitching and a grey rubber number. On their own, Vacheron Constantin could have gotten away with it, but they took it a step further. The cases are a mix of titanium and steel. In particular, the case, crown, pusher guards, pushers and bezel are titanium, while the bezel ring is steel. In addition, you’re getting a gloriously sophisticated array of finishes that guarantees these watches sing in the light.
Honestly, from a design front, these watches don’t take a step wrong. The chrono is 42.5mm across and 13.7 tall. The dual time is smaller at 41mm by 12.8mm. Water-resistant to 150M and equipped with lume. They’re both powered by the Vacheron Constantin calibres you see in the regular models, visible through the rear and equipped with pink gold rotors. If you’re looking for a watch that screams taste and class while still being suited to the real world (in short, the epitome of luxury sports), then this is it. The only odd omission from the product point of view is that of a titanium bracelet, but they’re famously tricky to tool — so perhaps the cost-to-price ratio didn’t make sense this time around.
There is, however, one issue with this pair of watches. In the introduction, I caveated pretty hard when I said this follow up to the 2019 prototype was made to please the masses. It’s a nearly perfect watch in every metric except availability. Each of these watches is a limited edition (boutique only by the by) of 150 pieces. And, at the time of publishing, the internet suggests that the majority of these pieces were pre-sold or allocated. So, it’s a great watch, but not one you can really buy. I understand the need for luxury to be exclusive, but the fact that this watch, which is oh-so-right, is still so unobtainable leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many Vacheron Constantin fans.
Tech Specs
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time ‘Everest’ (Reference: 7910V/000T-B922)
Movement: Calibre 5110 DT/2, automatic, 60 hours of power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, second timezone, day/night indicator at nine, date
Case and dial: Titanium and stainless steel, 41 mm diameter, 12.8 mm thick, Bezel, crown, pusher guards and pushers in titanium, bezel-ring in stainless steel, water resistant to 150M. Grey-blue grained dial, 18K applied gold hands and hour markers, orange details.
Strap: Grey Cordura® fabric with Orange stitching, featuring a black nubuck leather lining. Delivered with a second strap in grey rubber
Price and availability: Limited edition of 150 pieces, USD 31,300
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph ‘Everest’ (Reference: 5510-000T-B923)
Movement: 5200/2, automatic, 60 hours of power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small-seconds at nine, chronograph, date
Case and dial: Titanium and stainless steel, 42.5 mm diameter, 13.7 mm thick, Bezel, crown, pusher guards and pushers in titanium, bezel-ring in stainless steel, water resistant to 150M. Grey-blue grained dial, 18K applied gold hands and hour markers, orange details.
Strap: Grey Cordura® fabric with Orange stitching, featuring a black nubuck leather lining. Delivered with a second strap in grey rubber
Price and availability: Limited edition of 150 pieces, USD 37,000
