The Overseas has a lot to crow about; Vacheron Constantin’s ode to sports luxe was a standout when it launched for its’ unique notched bezel and flawless modern design. It was even a highlight last year, when it got a blue-faced new look. This though might just be the biggest leap since launching into making the Overseas the contemporary icon it longs (and in our opinion, deserve) to be: the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton.
That’s a mouthful for sure, but the base watch is pretty much the key player of last year’s Overseas collection, an incredibly svelte yet well laid-out perpetual calendar. At 8.1mm thin it seriously lived up to the ‘ultra’ in the name. Now, Vacheron are more than happy to show us just how they achieved that, right through the dial.
Not only has the dial been all but removed, but the 1120 QPSQ calibre itself has been skeletonised to within an inch of its (for want of a better word) life. The result is an unobstructed view of Vacheron’s superlative movement architecture and the finishing therein.
The only real downside is one that nearly all openworked watches fall prey too. With so much going on and the various wheels open to the elements (under sapphire, of course) everything’s a bit harder to read. Even the hands can get a little lost in the mix, not ideal when you have so many indicators.
Still, it’s easier to read than you might think given that, on the wrist, you can clearly see the different layers to the watch. Even if that weren’t the case, there’s definitely a subsection of collectors out there that would salivate over a watch this cool, whether they could actually tell the time on it or not.
As a counterpart to the wider Overseas collection, it’s perfect. It’s the finishing flourish to a collection that already holds an impressive cross section of haute horology complications, one that thrives off the more modern side of the worlds oldest (continually operating) manufacture.
Price & Specs:
Brand: Vacheron Constantin
Model Name: Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton
Ref: 4300V/120R-B547
Case/Dial: 41.5mm diameter x 8.1mm thickness, pink gold
Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: Calibre 1120 QPSQ/1, in-house, automatic, Hallmark of Geneva certified
Functions: Hours, minutes, perpetual calendar (date, day of the week, month, leap year), moon phases
Frequency: 19,800 vph (2.75 Hz)
Power reserve: 40h
Strap: Pink gold bracelet with additional strap in alligator leather with blue nubuck lining and a third in blue rubber
Price/availability: $115,000, Vacheron Constantin boutique exclusive
More details at Vacheron Constantin’s website.
