Overseas tourbillon: An all-titanium technical watch
APRIL 12, 2024
Embargo lift on 9 April 2024, 8:30AM CET
- A new version of the Overseas tourbillon model, entirely made of titanium with the collection’s emblematic blue dial.
- A self-winding tourbillon model powered by ultra-thin Manufacture Calibre 2160.
- Three interchangeable bracelet/straps delivered with the watch: titanium, calfskin leather, rubber.
Vacheron Constantin is expanding its range of titanium watches with an Overseas tourbillon model. Entirely made of titanium, from case to bracelet and from crown to bezel, this model graced with the collection’s emblematic blue dial is powered by ultra-thin self-winding Calibre 2160. Equipped with a tourbillon regulator visible at 6 o’clock through a dial opening, the movement features an 22K gold peripheral oscillating weight winding the calibre and ensuring a comfortable over three-day power reserve. With its extremely meticulous finishing of both the titanium case and the movement, this Overseas tourbillon is perfectly aligned with the spirit of this travel-dedicated collection. It comes with an integrated titanium bracelet (equipped with a titanium Grade 5 triple-blade folding clasp) that can be swapped out tool-free for two additional blue calfskin and rubber straps (delivered with a self-interchangeable titanium Grade 5 folding clasp).
Overseas and titanium: a perfect match
Titanium is a light yet robust metal whose hypoallergenic properties make it the ideal material for sports and technical watches. Born in 1996 and revisited eight years later, Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas collection embodies the same taste for discovery and pioneering spirit that has driven the brand to conquer new markets since the early 19th century. By incorporating titanium watches, the collection adopts a character entirely in tune with the sporty, technical and adventurous watch codes that have distinguished it since its launch. Presented by the Maison in 2022, the first timepiece with an all-titanium exterior was an Overseas tourbillon skeleton model which now appears in this new version, but with a solid dial graced with the blue shade emblematic of Overseas watches.
Given the rigidity of titanium, any metal finishing work on these timepieces requires rigorous discipline, care and attention to detail, bearing in mind that only grade 2 and grade 5 titanium are suitable for this type of operation. Special care has been lavished on the Overseas tourbillon to create a delicate vertical satin-brushed finish on the bracelet with its polished link angles as well as on the caseback, while the bezel features a circular satin-brushed finish on a sandblasted ring. Creating a striking contrast with the Maltese cross-like profile of the bezel, the matt effect adds to the model’s visual appeal. With its translucent blue-lacquered dial featuring a sunburst satin-brushed flange highlighting the double minutes track, this Overseas tourbillon is adorned with shimmering titanium and ready to face the contingencies of everyday life.
A finely crafted ultra-thin calibre
This resolutely adventurous watch is equally technical with its tourbillon majestically enthroned at 6 o’clock. Its mechanical ballet punctuated by the steady rotation of the regulator highlights the importance of horological complications in the world of Vacheron Constantin. Designed to compensate for the effects of the earth’s gravity on the movement’s isochronism, the tourbillon is a guarantee of precision and takes on its full meaning in a watch dedicated to travel. With that in mind, it also had to be perfectly ergonomically curved. At just over 10 mm thick, this Overseas tourbillon model fits snugly and lightly on the wrist, without sacrificing the robustness of titanium.
The elegance of this Overseas tourbillon is enhanced by ultra-thin self-winding Calibre 2160 that is a mere 5.65 mm thick. With its 22K gold peripheral oscillating weight arming the barrel for a comfortable 80-hour power reserve, the movement testifies to Vacheron Constantin’s technical mastery in the construction of ultra-thin complication movements.
This architecture without a central rotor also offers the advantage of providing a clear view of the entire movement and its meticulous finishing. With its circular-grained mainplate and hand-bevelled bridges adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif, its carefully hand-polished tourbillon bar, its finely grained wheels, not forgetting its chamfered and polished screws, the 188-parat Calibre 2160 offers a concrete vision of technical and precious High Watchmaking. Operating at a frequency of 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour), it displays the hours and minutes as well as the small seconds on the Maltese cross-shaped tourbillon carriages by means of a blued fastening screw.
A versatile watch with interchangeable bracelet/straps
This model comes with an integrated titanium bracelet featuring a triple-blade folding clasp equipped with a comfort-adjustment system. The links securing the folding clasp can be stretched to provide up to 4 mm more room around the wrist. In order to adapt the style of the watch to its surroundings, the integrated titanium bracelet can be swapped out tool-free for two additional calfskin leather or blue rubber straps. These are equipped with a self-interchangeable titanium Grade 5 folding clasp, also interchangeable without any need for tools.
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From Geometry to Artistry, Vacheron Constantin annual theme
A Vacheron Constantin watch is far more than merely the sum of its parts. Starting from a sketch, a geometrical drawing and its technical extensions, a whole world of shapes, colours and textures is born. The complex structures of mechanical engineering combine with design; meticulous detail gives life to grace; artisanal intelligence sparks emotions. Based on formal, mathematical study, Vacheron Constantin timepieces are thus endowed with a touch of soulfulness and elegance representing the ultimate expression of artistic talent. The classicism of the Traditionnelle collection; the minimalism of the Patrimony watches; the allure of Égérie; and the sporty-chic spirit of Overseas, all vividly illustrate this alchemy within which artistry is inspired by geometrical shapes, expressed through Vacheron Constantin’s 2024 theme.
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Interview with Christian Selmoni, Style & Heritage Director
When did Vacheron Constantin introduce titanium to its collections?
Titanium – which is 30% more resistant than steel and only half its weight – is a metal whose properties are perfectly suited to Vacheron Constantin’s sports watch collection. The first proposal was for the Quai de l’Île collection in 2008, followed by Overseas timepieces in 2009. In those cases, it was used for the bezels of two self-winding models, one of which was equipped with a chronograph. The following year, the same bezel was adopted for a dual time model. The collaboration with photographer and mountaineer Cory Richards, a member of the ‘One of not Many’ talent circle, opened up new horizons. The two Overseas Everest limited series dedicated to him – a dual time and a chronograph – were designed to cope with the hostile environments of Cory Richards’ expeditions and exploration missions. The two 2021 models are distinguished by their titanium case, bezel, pushers and pusher rings. The aim was first and foremost to accentuate the sporty, hard-wearing aspect of these Overseas watches, with very convincing results.
Those were however limited editions and not yet watches in regular production?
These two models with their powerful design and steel case were produced in two 150-piece limited series. A prototype of the dual time version accompanied Cory Richards on one of his Everest expeditions in 2019. Vacheron Constantin’s designers took things a step further in 2022 by offering an all-titanium Overseas in the company’s catalogue. This was a tourbillon skeleton timepiece: a first in the collection that foreshadowed this year’s model, also made in titanium but with a solid dial that is openworked on the tourbillon only. Inside the case beats the same ultra-thin Calibre 2160 in a non-skeleton version. The two watches represent a very interesting alternative to the steel watches in the collection. They offer the properties of sporty timepieces through their lightness and robustness while remaining on a par with the technical timepieces for which Vacheron Constantin is renowned. What’s more, customers can now choose between a skeleton version and one with a blue dial.
Given that titanium is often a material of choice for sports watches, why choose a tourbillon movement rather than a chronograph, for example, for these first all-titanium models?!With the two Overseas Everest limited editions, the Maison has already offered models of this kind, which were very enthusiastically received. It was therefore time to explore other avenues and the choice fell on the ultra-thin self-winding tourbillon Calibre 2160. However, to ensure it stood out from the crowd, it was designed in a skeletonised version, a first in the Overseas collection that required a great deal of ingenuity to remove 20% of the calibre’s material. The result is a watch that is robust and very light thanks to the titanium, highly architectural thanks to its skeleton movement, yet extremely technical thanks to the presence of a tourbillon regulator, a guarantee of precision. In short, all the ingredients of a chic Overseas sports watch. In that respect, this year’s model is an extension of its predecessor, picking up its codes yet with a different aesthetic featuring the collection’s emblematic blue dial and with titanium as the common denominator.
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TECHNICAL DATA
Overseas tourbillon
Reference
6000V/210T-H032
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 carriage (coloured screw)
Tourbillon
Case
Titanium Grade 5
42.5 mm 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
Translucent blue-lacquered, 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
Blue calfskin leather strap with grey stitching
Blue rubber
Self-interchangeable titanium Grade 5 folding clasp
Available only through the Vacheron Constantin Boutiques.