Ahead of the official celebration on September 17, Vacheron Constantin continues to mark its 270th jubilee year by welcoming two new references of the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin to its anniversary novelties.

Founded in 1755 in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin is the world’s oldest watch brand, with almost three centuries of mechanical and artistic mastery, multiple world records, and a justly deserved reputation as a curator of artistic crafts. Vacheron’s watchmaking heritage and continuing achievements in watchmaking make it a collector’s favorite and it’s little surprise that a perpetual calendar complication has been chosen as a showpiece to express its legacy.

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin in pink gold and white gold, the latter with a burgundy lacquer dial

It first appeared in the Maison’s pocket watches in the late 19th century, and by the mid-20th century, Vacheron was producing some of the slimmest perpetual calendars ever made. The quest for thinness in watchmaking has produced some record-breaking calibers, and the 1120, one of the defining ultra-thin automatic movements in Swiss watchmaking, is the ultra-slim caliber that has been chosen to drive the perpetual calendar functions of Vacheron’s elegant Overseas masterpiece — a tribute to its heritage as well as its relevance to collectors today. It makes sense that ahead of the anniversary, Vacheron Constantin has chosen to return to the Overseas — a line created for modern travelers, rooted in the Maison’s history of exploration and openness to the world. The Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin is a symbolic release — a bridge between Vacheron Constantin’s past and its present.

Before we get to the technical details, it’s worth noting the symbolic significance of this model, both in respect of the Maison’s history of ultra-thin perpetual calendars, including milestones that marked its bicentenary in 1955, and the fact that it is expressed in one of the brand’s most modern families. The contemporary Overseas line launched in 1996 as a cosmopolitan sports watch for a new global audience, while perpetual calendars have preoccupied Vacheron Constantin’s watchmakers since the earliest records of their work. This juxtaposition encapsulates Vacheron Constantin’s dual identity: guardian of tradition and future-facing innovator. By choosing the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin as its pre-anniversary launch, the Manufacture is reminding collectors that its heritage is relevant, timely, cutting-edge and alive in the watches it continues to create.

That the Maison is presenting an ultra-thin perpetual calendar on the cusp of its 270th year feels almost poetic: a reminder that while history accumulates, the mastery of time is always a living pursuit.

Expanding the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin family

Two versions join the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin lineup: a pink gold with a golden-toned lacquer dial punctuated by a blue minutes track, with matching gold moonphase display, and a white gold version with a burgundy lacquer dial accented by white-gold numerals and a burgundy moonphase disc.

The case measures 8.1mm thick, housing the ultra-thin caliber 1120 QP/1

Both versions have a case measuring 41.5 mm in diameter and 8.1 mm thick, and both come paired with an integrated matching metal bracelet, and easily interchangeable rubber straps in white or burgundy. This versatility — elegant gold, or casual sport — has become a hallmark of the Overseas line.

Inside beats the Calibre 1120 QP/1. At only 4.05 mm thick, this ultra-thin caliber incorporates 276 components, managing hours, minutes, perpetual calendar, and moonphase with assured ease. It will require no manual correction until 2100, a reminder of its status as a mechanical “computer” capable of navigating the irregularities of the Gregorian calendar. As befits Vacheron Constantin’s incredible artistic mastery, the sapphire caseback reveals meticulous hand-finishing — Côtes de Genève, chamfering, circular graining — and a 22K gold rotor engraved with a compass rose, a symbol of the Overseas spirit of travel.

The watch is equipped with an interchangeable strap system, allowing one to switch between its integrated metal bracelet or additional rubber straps in white or burgundy

For collectors, these new references summarise a jubilee year that looks set to be rich with commemorative pieces. Already launched are eight pieces in the Patrimony and Traditonnelle lines. With the easily adaptable straps — from metal bracelet to sporty rubber — the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin also reflects the dynamic lifestyle of the contemporary Vacheron Constantin connoisseur. If anniversaries are moments of reflection, then the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin is a fitting one. It embodies the values that have defined Vacheron Constantin since Jean-Marc Vacheron first signed his apprenticeship contract in 1755: technical ingenuity, aesthetic refinement, and a commitment to creating watches that express modernity and versatility.

Tech Specs: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin 

Reference: 4300V/220R-H144
Movement: Self-winding 1120 QP/1 Caliber; 40-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; perpetual calendar; moon phases
Case: 41.5mm × 8.1mm; 18K pink gold or white gold; 50m water-resistance
Dial: 18K 5N pink gold or burgundy lacquer
Strap: 18K pink or white gold; additional straps in dark blue or white rubber, with interchangeable system