Today’s watch comes with the same movement that Vacheron Constantin used for the Traditionnelle World Time. Today’s watch is not equipped with the ultra-thin calibre 1120, which is inside the Overseas Ultra-Thin ref. 2000V and also the base of the Overseas Ultra-Thin QP. During the SIHH in January we had hands-on time with the Overseas Ultra-Thin ref. 2000V and later our managing editor Brice explained why a perpetual calendar complication is relevant in the Overseas Ultra-Thin QP.It’s the automatic calibre 2460WT, a tried and tested movement that has been in the collection for quite some years. The Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time is available with three choices of dials, and comes with a steel bracelet, and complimentary leather and rubber strap.A solid choice, and also the only worldtimer that indicates the time 37 time zones, including those that are off-set by a half-hour or quarter-hour, and not like all others in only 24 time zones.
Three dial colours and three straps
Like all new Overseas models each and everyone of them comes on a steel bracelet (except the Ultra-Thin models that come on an 18K white gold bracelet), and with complimentary rubber and alligator rubber straps. Because of the easy to use interchangeable system, you can easily switch from one strap to the next, and that adds a lot to experiencing this already very versatile watch.The three choices of dials, are, going from left to right, a brown dial with a few city names in yellow, a blue dial and to the right is the silver-tone dial with some cities in red.
The stainless steel case measures 43.5mm in diameter and is 12.6mm thick. Simply judging the numbers would give me the impression that it’s a reasonably large watch, however this watch, and actually the entire new collection, have no real lugs. This means that a 43.5mm case will feel and look smaller than what you would expect based on these numbers. I’ve been wearing it for a full day and found it very comfortable on the wrist.
The stainless steel bracelet features half Maltese cross-shaped links that are polished and satin-brushed. Not an easy strap to manufacture, and the amount of hand-finishing that goes into such a bracelet is impressive. Besides the stainless steel bracelet, all new Overseas models come with a hand-stitched brown, blue or black alligator leather strap (with black nubuck lining with a micro-perforated effect), and a brown, blue or black rubber strap. The leather and rubber strap are closed by a stainless steel triple-blade folding clasp with push-pieces, which is compatible with both straps. So whatever you feel like, swap the strap/bracelet, to match your taste of the day.
Earlier this year the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle World Time was part of a triple review of thee worldtimers, each with a worldmap depicted on the dial. This is not just for show off -although it looks very good- and it actually makes it much easier to see the time in another time zone at a glance. Although there’s a lot going on on the dial, I found it rather easy to get used to this.Two of these worldtimers -the Vacheron was one of them- feature a rotatable worldmap in the centre of the dial.
Surrounding the worldmap is a translucent lacquered disc bearing the 37 city names. Placed over that city-name ring and the worldmap, is a sapphire disk that provides day/night indications by means of subtly graded smoky tints, and this disk is connected to the 24-hour disc. On the perimeter is a translucent lacquered velvet-finished outer ring that serves to indicate the hours and minutes in each time zone.
The worldmap is really an eye-catcher. While the cities and the 24-hour ring might attract more attention on first glance, due to the higher contrast, this superbly executed worldmap is a real feats for the eye. The continents are done in a beautiful sunburst satin-brushed finish, and the oceans are done in a smooth velvet finish.
The hands are baton style hands; a short one for the hours and a long one for the minutes. In the centre the hour and minute hand are filled with luminiscent material for better legibility in the dark.
The movement in the Overseas World Time, calibre 2460WT, now features the same rotor (winding mass) as all other models in the new Overseas collection. The rotor has been designed as a wind-rose, and that’s to underline the versatility of the collection and to put emphasis on the fact that VC says it’s the ideal travel companion.
The entire watch is tested and has received the Geneva Hallmark, seal of approval. Several years ago the Geneva Hallmark standards have been made more stringent and now they also include the exterior of the watch. Before the focus was solely on the movement, while now it’s about an encased movement. We listed all Geneva Hallmark criteria for you here, and explained what has changed.
With a retail price of approx. € 40,000 euro (including VAT) it’s not cheap, but considering everything above -superlative finishing, the worldtimer complication, the triple-layer dial, Geneva Hallmark and the additional straps- it isn’t crazy. Furthermore, this is a very comfortable watch to wear on a daily basis, and to wear at pretty much every occasion, except maybe for black tie events. I’d call this a perfect allrounder that will not easy bore anyone, not even the most seasoned collector.
The Overseas World Time is the only luxury sports watch with a world time function, and that, to me, already puts it on a pedestal. This is the ideal complication for this segment, and truly makes this into an ideal travel companion. It comes with the Geneva Hallmark and that’s a additional proof of its quality, both inside as well as the exterior. Furthermore the Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time is the only worldtimer that indicates time in 37 time zones, and that is also a big plus.
