Earlier this spring Vacheron Constantin went all out on the haute horological complications with the launch of an entire Traditionnelle Openface collection and the release of the world record breaking Solaria Ultra Grand Complication La Première. However, their appetite for high end complications has not been sated in any capacity. Their latest creation being the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Grand Complication Openface, the first ever Overseas watch to feature a minute repeater.
An Overseas minute repeater is not something that immediately sticks out as a natural combination. The Overseas is an integrated bracelet sports watch originally developed to tackle the trials of everyday adventures whereas a minute repeater is a very delicate chiming complication that needs to be handled with care. That’s not to say the Overseas has never leaned in a luxurious direction before, just look at the golden tourbillon edition. But a minute repeater takes things to a new level.
Though in terms of design and structure, they’ve deliberately tried to keep things as sporty as possible. That means the case is made from titanium with a 30m water resistance rating despite the addition of the minute repeater slide control 8 o’clock. The use of titanium also helps reduce the overall weight as it’s quite a sizeable watch at 44.5mm x 13.1mm, which is understandable as the movement consists of over 600 components in order to accommodate the minute repeater, perpetual calendar and tourbillon functions. It’s the combination of all three of those that make this a Grand Complication.
Powering the watch and visible due to the openface design is the Calibre 2755QP. It’s manual winding with a 58-hour power reserve, which is actually very impressive given the number of power intensive functions present in the design. There’s the constantly rotating tourbillon that serves as the seconds indicator, hours, minutes, day, month, date, leap year and power reserve indicator, as well as the minute repeater.
Like the existing haute horology Overseas models, the Grand Complication Openface is firmly price on request with extremely limited production. But if you’ve ever wanted your Overseas to chime, well, now it can.
Price and Specs:
More details at Vacheron Constantin.
Similarly to the last recent release from VC, another overly complicated watch that is difficult to read without sending yourself boss eyed in the process.
No doubt ludicrously expensive into the bargain (but no bargain to be seen in terms of price).