Vacheron Constantin unveils a new variation of the Overseas Tourbillon in titanium, this time with a red dial.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon in Titanium with Red Dial
The new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon is a part of the brand’s permanent collection and is available in boutiques only. Price upon request.
Press release details with commentary in italics
Commentary
It’s not hard to see why the Overseas Tourbillon gets a lot of love from the watch community.
What’s there not to like? It’s a meticulously crafted and finished sports watch that prominently displays modern horology’s most beautiful tourbillon.
The increased interest in the timepiece has resulted in the introduction of no fewer than six unique references relating to the model. Most of these references share a common theme: tourbillon at 6 o’clock set within a blue lacquered dial. The only exception is the Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton which obviously doesn’t have a dial proper but instead showcases an expertly openworked movement.
Now, for the first time, there is a red dial variation for the Overseas Tourbillon – just in time for Chinese new year. Amongst the crowd of blue, black, and silver dials – the most common dial colours for the Overseas – the red dial stands out the most by far, but not in an obnoxious way at all. The tone used by Vacheron Constantin is almost burgundy which is very easy on the eyes.
You can never not enjoy a Vacheron Constantin tourbillon watch, but a part of me does wishes there was something novel introduced instead of ‘just’ a new dial colour. I suppose it is testament to the commercial success of the Overseas Tourbillon, and to be fair, there aren’t yet too many dial options to choose from. The fact that the new Overseas Tourbillon is rendered in titanium rather than precious metal all but ascertains customer demand.
Release Details
Vacheron Constantin enriches its Overseas collection with a titanium tourbillon model featuring a deep red dial. A material perfectly in keeping with the sporty and elegant spirit of the collection, titanium is a marvel of robustness and lightness. Certified with the Hallmark of Geneva and equipped with the ultra-thin calibre 2160, only 5.65 mm thick, the watch features a tourbillon regulator and fits comfortably on the wrist.
A Technical and Sporty Model
Titanium is a material that proves particularly well-suited to watchmaking requirements, notably for its robustness, lightness, and the sporty spirit it conveys. This metal is indeed 30% stronger than steel and weighs half as much. Vacheron Constantin introduced titanium in 2009 for certain components of the Overseas collection, and then, from 2019, for the Everest models developed in collaboration with photographer and explorer Cory Richards. In 2022, a new milestone was reached with an Overseas tourbillon skeleton watch made entirely of titanium. Two years later, another titanium tourbillon model features a blue dial.
The finishes of the deep red dial, characterized by a sunburst satin-brushed and a lacquered flange, highlight the model’s highly horological character, particularly its tourbillon. This same attention to aesthetics is evident in the finishing touches of the grade 5 titanium case. The bracelet features polished link angles and a vertical satin-brushed finish, a detail also found on the case face. In contrast, the bezel, whose profile evokes the Maltese cross, has a circular satin-brushed finish on a sandblasted ring. This combination accentuates the slim profile of this ultra-thin model, measuring just 10.39 mm thick.
One watch, three styles
Suitable for all types of activities thanks to its lightness case and slim profile, the model comes with an integrated titanium bracelet featuring a triple-blade folding clasp equipped with a comfort-adjustment system. This system allows for a 4 mm increase in wrist circumference. To further adapt the watch’s style, two additional straps in deep red and white rubber are available. They are equipped with interchangeable grade 5 titanium folding clasp that can be changed without tools.
An ultra-thin movement
Thanks to its automatic tourbillon calibre 2160, with a profile of just 5.65 mm and a diameter of 31 mm, this Oveseas watch is distinguished by its remarkably thin case, guaranteeing optimal comfort on the wrist. This ultra-thin movement, incorporating a tourbillon cage, features bidirectional winding, ensured by a peripheral oscillating weight with a guilloché 916/1000 gold segment, giving it optimal performance and an 80-hour power reserve. This type of construction offers a dual advantage: it provides an unobstructed view of the movement and integrates the oscillating weight at the bridges, resulting in a significant reduction in thickness.
With this same focus on slimness and efficiency, the openworked tourbillon cage incorporates a peripheral drive, eliminating the need for a central pinion. This configuration ensures optimal energy transmission from the mainspring barrel to the balance wheel.
Designed to highlight the complexity of the timepiece, the movement’s finishes offer subtle plays of light on its 188 components, elegantly underscoring its sophistication. The calibre features a circular-grained mainplate, the bridges are decorated with Côtes de Genève and hand-beveled, the tourbillon shank is delicately cradled, the wheels are grained, and the screws are chamfered and polished: all details that testify to meticulous craftsmanship.
Technical Specifications
| Reference | 6000V/210T-H179 |
| Calibre | 2160 Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin Mechanical, self-winding, peripheral rotor 31 mm (13½’’’) diameter, 5.65 mm thick Approximately 80 hours of power reserve 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations/hour) 188 components 30 jewels Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece |
| Indications | Hours, minutes, small seconds on tourbillon cage (blued screws) Tourbillon |
| Case | Titanium Grade 5 42.5 mm in diameter, 10.39 mm thick Soft iron casing ring ensuring anti-magnetic protection Transparent sapphire crystal caseback Water-resistant tested at a pressure of 5 bar (approx. 50 metres) |
| Dial | Deep red dial, sunburst satin-finished base with velvet-finished flange 18K white gold hour-markers and hours & minutes hands highlighted with blue Super-LumiNova® |
| Bracelet | Titanium Grade 5 (half Maltese cross-shaped polished and satin-brushed links) Secured by a titanium Grade 5 triple-blade folding clasp with push-pieces and comfort adjustment system |
| Additional Straps/Clasp | Deep red and white rubber Self-interchangeable titanium Grade 5 folding clasp |
