Vacheron Constantin, the oldest watch crafters in the world, founded in Geneva in 1755, reinvent the Overseas collection, dedicating it to the modern-day traveller who prefers a practical, carefree style. Painstaking attention goes into the choice of materials (no polymers are used) – the use of drilled and polished rubies and a soldered but not immobile spring are just some of the quality details that have ensured that the collection bears the Punzone di Ginevra, a guarantee of quality for 130 years. The new Manifattura calibres vary from very simple to the extremely complex. The chronograph shown in the photo, for example, has a 5200 calibre, a new automatic wind movement, developed and created entirely in-house, from the shrewd assembling of 263 components – including a double barrel – which assures a reserve of 50 hours of charging. The whole masterpiece is completed by the seconds placed at the 9 and the date between the 4 and 5.
I tried the chronograph with the chocolate-coloured face and 42.5 mm diameter steel case with a depth of 13.7. Technical considerations aside, I believe this model is best suited to those with a medium-sized or thick wrist, although that’s just my personal opinion, dictated by my preference for more slender watches that go with suits. Indeed, I prefer the Solotempo version, which shaves off a couple of millimetres in terms of thickness.
The watch comes with a stainless steel bracelet and two straps: one in alligator skin and another in rubber, all of which can be interchanged. The photo shows me wearing the brown Mississippiensis alligator strap, sewn by hand and which can be easily removed thanks to a tiny lever under the case – this allows you to do without the usual watchmaker’s tools which you rarely have at hand when travelling. The alternate bracelet in large-mesh stainless steel (see following photo) shows the traditional half Malta Cross, the symbol of the manufacturer, and is characterized by a useful function which allows you to “stretch out” the mesh by a couple of millimeters with a simple hand gesture. As someone who is not particularly fond of metal or rubber watchstraps, I’d certainly opt for the exotic leather version, which also happens to perfectly match the elegant chocolate-coloured dial.
Bespoke hugs,
Fabio
