Overseas self-winding – Clothed in gold and light : A shining addition to the new Overseas 35mm assortment

Source:  Images and content by Vacheron Constantin

11 September 2023

•  A 35 mm self-winding Overseas unveiled to mark the launch of the “One of not Many” campaign created with Vacheron Constantin’s new talent, artist Zaria Forman.
• A luminous personality for this timepiece entirely draped in pink gold, from case to bracelet, in perfect harmony with a tone-on-tone golden dial.
• Supplied with two additional straps, this versatile timepiece is a constant companion.

Radiant in gold and light, the new self-winding Overseas sees life in pink and broadens the horizons of elegance. Presented in a 35 mm diameter, this model radiating a slim sporty-chic cuff vibe accompanies the launch of the new ‘One of not Many’ campaign, created with artist and explorer Zaria Forman.

In the wake of the four Overseas watches unveiled at Watches and Wonders Genève in 34.5 mm and 35 mm diameters, Vacheron Constantin’s sporty-chic collection welcomes a new 35 mm model entirely draped in pink gold. Refined and precious as well as casually elegant by nature, its luminous personality accompanies artist and explorer Zaria Forman, who is joining Vacheron Constantin’s circle of ‘One of not Many’ talents.

Tone-on-tone elegance

Discovered this spring in a pink gold livery, matched with an emblematic sunburst blue dial. Like a new invitation to travel, the Overseas self-winding watch reveals a new facet of its temperament. Its signature style? A harmonious tone-on-tone approach playing with the warm reflections of pink gold clothing its case and bracelet, matched by the radiant glow of its dial draped in transparent lacquer and adorned with a sunburst satin-brushed finish. Vacheron Constantin’s artisans devoted a great deal of effort to producing the exact dial nuance, in perfect harmony with the caseband and bracelet. This monochrome look, accentuated by the brilliance of the 90 diamonds finely set on the six-sided bezel evoking the Maltese cross, traces a slim cuff-watch design on the wrist. A jewel-like watch featuring a slender, dainty silhouette that is the perfect companion at all times.

One personality, multiple facets

Like the rest of the collection, the new Overseas self-winding model features an interchangeable bracelet and buckle system serving to adapt its style to any situation. In addition to its pink gold bracelet – as supple and soft as a second skin thanks to its slender links reminiscent of the Maltese cross – this glamorous timepiece comes with two additional straps. In a harmonious all-gold combo, it’s perfectly dressed for everyday wear as well as for special evenings out. Paired with a white calf leather strap, it’s ready for urban adventures. Teamed with a white rubber strap, it brings a sportier touch to the wrist. Precious, urban or adventurous, the Overseas self-winding watch is at ease in any situation.

Calibre 1088/1, reliability is its middle name

To mark off the hours, minutes and seconds, the Overseas self-winding model opts for a movement boasting exemplary reliability, Calibre 1088/1. This high-precision beating heart comprises 144 components and operates at a frequency of 4 Hz. For even greater timekeeping precision, this movement is equipped with a stop-second mechanism enabling accurate adjustment of time functions. The movement is also endowed with a 40-hour power reserve. Every detail of the decoration on the open caseback has been meticulously crafted. The rear bridges are adorned with Côtes de Genève, while the collection’s emblematic rotor is sculpted in gold and graced with a compass rose, staging a perpetually changing show evoking travel and exploration.

Interview with Christian Selmoni

What role does pink gold play in the history of Vacheron Constantin?

Pink gold has been used in Vacheron Constantin creations for over a century, its use notably dating back to the 1910s and 20s. Thereafter, the Manufacture mainly used it to create cases for complicated watches. Our archives contain some fine examples of minute repeaters and chronographs. This continued until the 1960s, which saw the almost exclusive return of yellow and white gold watches.

When did pink gold make a comeback?

Our Asian clientele helped bring pink gold back into our designs in the early 1990s. Since then, it has become the preferred choice, to the detriment of yellow and of white gold – which nonetheless remains the benchmark white precious metal along with platinum.

With its golden dial, this new Overseas evokes the watches of the 1950s and 60s. What did you seek to express in terms of design?

We indeed wanted to offer a shade that would be different from the classic silver tone that usually goes with this type of pink gold watch fitted with a bracelet in the same metal. And yes, we were inspired by the pink gold/ combination found in many of the Maison’s creations since the 1940s.

Is the use of a precious metal like pink gold compatible with the sporty-chic spirit of the Overseas collection?

Absolutely! The Overseas meets all the requirements of our Maison, which holds a rightful place in the world of Haute Horlogerie. Within this context, it’s only natural that our sporty-chic watches are available in steel as well as precious metals, sometimes even set with diamonds, as on the new Overseas self-winding model.

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Sum-up

As Vacheron Constantin unveils the visuals for its Overseas campaign created with its new ‘One of not Many’ talent, artist Zaria Forman, its sporty-chic collection welcomes a new Overseas self-winding model attired in pink gold from 35 mm case to bracelet, including the tone-on-tone color of its dial coated with transparent lacquer and featuring a sunburst satin-brushed finish. A refined yet sporty allure for this model with the look of a fine cuff, delivered with two additional straps and beating to the precise cadence of an in-house self-winding Calibre 1088/1.

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TECHNICAL DATA

References
4605V/200R-B968: golden dial

Calibre                                                       
1088/1
Manufacture calibre
Mechanical, self-winding
22K gold Overseas oscillating weight
20.80 mm (9’’’) diameter, 3.83 mm thick
Approximately 40 hours of power reserve
4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
144 components
26 jewels

Indications                                                
Hours, minutes, centre seconds
Date

Case
18K 5N pink gold 
35 mm diameter, 9.33 mm thick
Bezel set with 90 round-cut diamonds
Soft iron casing ring ensuring anti-magnetic protection
Screwed-down crown
Transparent sapphire crystal caseback
Water-resistance tested at a pressure of 15 bar (approx. 150 metres)

Dial 
Golden, transparent lacquered, sunburst satin-finished base and velvet-finished external minutes track
18K 5N pink gold hour-markers and hours & minutes hands highlighted with blue Super-LumiNova®

Straps                                                        
18K 5N pink gold (half Maltese cross-shaped polished and satin-brushed links), secured by a 18K 5N pink gold triple-blade folding clasp with push-pieces and comfort-adjustment system

Additional straps                                    
White calfskin leather with  tone-on-tone stitches, white rubber. Delivered with a 18K 5N pink gold buckle with interchangeable system, compatible with both additional straps

Total diamond-setting                           
90 diamonds, for a total weight of approx. 0.86 carats (guaranteed minimum carats)