Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton

For Watches & Wonders 2022, Vacheron Constantin is releasing two new timepieces that are entering their Overseas watch collection for the first time. The brand continues the travel spirit by adding a tourbillon skeleton timepiece in two different materials. This is the first time a tourbillon skeleton model has been added to this collection since it first started back in 1996.

The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton covers both bases very well, a stunning aesthetic dial while packing a powerful movement underneath. The watch displays complexity and beauty through the open-worked dial, sophistication through the case, while the tourbillon movement provides reliability through an impressive 3-day power reserve.

Vacheron Constantin has presented the Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton in two variants; an 18K 5N pink gold and the other in Grade 5 titanium.

Design:

Both variants come in a 42.5mm case size and feature a soft iron casing which ensures anti-magnetic protection. The case has been rated to a water resistance of 50m. The craftmanship on this timepiece is done to the finest detail. The 18k 5N pink gold version has a bezel ring that’s circular satin-brushed and on the Grade 5 titanium model, it’s sandblasted. The case and bracelet of both timepieces are vertically satin-brushed with polished angles on the bracelet links. The shape of the angular links has been inspired by the brand’s logo of the Maltese cross emblem.

The sapphire crystal on the dial acts as the gateway to the beauty that lies within. On the dial, the hour markers are done in rhodium-plated white gold for the titanium model and 18K 5N pink gold for the model of the same matching case. The hands have used the same materials to match the hour markers. Both the hour indices and hands have Super-LumiNova which lights up the timepiece brightly at night.

The two variants come with Vacheron Constantin’s interchangeable strap system. The standard strap for each model is black with two 18K 5N pink gold pin buckles for the pink gold timepiece, and a blue with interchangeable titanium folding clasp for the titanium model.

Movement:

Vacheron Constantin has used the calibre 2160 SQ for both these timepieces. Careful work in the construction of these movements has been carried out to make it as efficient and aesthetic as possible. The skeletonisation of the movement has meant that there was a 20% reduction in the movement’s weight. The architecture of the movement needed to be redone, with the final height coming in at only 5.65mm thin, which is impressive considering there’s a tourbillon involved.

The open-worked movement features a total of 186 components that has an array of different finishes to make the dial as beautiful as possible. This includes the main plate and bridges which have been finished with fine horizontal grooves, the barrel where its drum and cover have been skeletonised and features a compass rose shape on the dial side, and a peripheral gold oscillating weight just to name a few. The brand has gone the extra length to make sure that even the smalled component deserves the same attention to detail as the ones that can be seen easily from the dial.

The tourbillon operates by rotating once per minute which gives a frequency of 18,000 VpH (2.5hz). The small seconds’ indicator is also located within the tourbillon carriage and is indicated through a grey screw on the Maltese cross on the pink gold timepiece, and a blue screw on the titanium watch.

One of the most emblematic Haute Horlogerie complications finally joins Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas collection. With great attention to detail and a redesigned movement with technical prowess, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton reflects very highly of the brand’s quest for excellence.

References: 6000V/110R-B934 (Pink Gold), 6000V/110T-B935 (Titanium)

Specification:

Case: 42.5 mm diameter, 10.39 mm thick
Case Material: 18K 5N pink gold / Grade 5 Titanium
Dial: Skeletonised Sapphire dial
Crystal: Sapphire Crystal, anti-reflective coating inside
Water resistance: 50 meters
Movement: 2160 SQ, Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin
Power reserve: Approximately 80 hours of power reserve
Strap: 18K 5N pink gold bracelet / Grade 5 Titanium (half Maltese cross-shaped polished and satin-brushed links), secured by an 18K 5N pink gold / Grade 5 Titanium triple-blade folding clasp with push-pieces and comfort-adjustment system.