In 2019, the watch world saw a one-of-a-kind Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time in a highly unusual configuration. Hewn from titanium with matching bracelet, cotton strap and a tantalum bezel, the watch captured the hearts of enthusiasts everywhere – for its rarity and its appearance, but also that it was a watch that accompanied alpinist Cory Richards on his attempt to conquer Mt Everest (Chomolungma in Tibetan, or Sagarmatha in Nepalese).
His team’s run would be from the less-known North-East Ridge approach of the mountain, seeking to establish a new route up the mountain. Although unsuccessful due to adverse weather conditions, the model that accompanied Richards and his team set this watch firmly in the minds of collectors as a watch that was ready for anything.
For 2021, this model makes a triumphant return for the lucky few in its Dual Time guise, as well as an all new Chronograph version.
In addition, the Chronograph version was photographed by Cory Richards himself, shooting it in Colorado USA, an area famous for its mountains. Richards is undoubtedly a champion for these models, stating that “To share such an enormous piece of me condensed into something so refined and beautiful is a humbling honor beyond the words I have”. It is a piece that means a lot to Richards, but also giving many watch enthusiasts an opportunity to own a dream watch that was out of reach since its unveiling.
Overseas Dual Time “Everest”
Arguably the most appropriate complication for a watch named “Overseas”, the Overseas Dual Time “Everest” is the most faithful reproduction of the unique watch seen on Cory Richards’ wrist on his ascent of the mountain. The usual 41mm stainless steel case of the Overseas Dual Time has been reworked to add crown and pusher guards for added protection, as well as a titanium bezel, with six points that echo the Vacheron Constantin Maltese Cross.
The dial features wider hour markers at 12, 3 and 9 that are lume filled for low-light visibility (with blue light emission), and the hands also feature slightly more lume compared to the regular production. The dial also sports a grained finish in a grey-blue colour – a very attractive, and utilitarian look that contrasts with the orange home time hand and day-night indicator – speaking of home and local time, this can be adjusted through the titanium crown, forwards and backwards in 1 hour increments. At 6 o’clock, we find the date subdial, that is synchronised with the local time hand, but can be independently adjusted through a titanium pusher at 4 o’clock – this pusher requires a quarter turn to unlock and secure, ensuring that the date is only adjusted deliberately.
The watch is delivered on a Cordura strap (grey with orange contrast stitching), with a second strap in grey rubber – easily interchanged through the Overseas’ quick change system.
Housed within the Overseas Dual Time “Everest” is the in-house 5110 DT/2, a variant of the original movement found in the regular production Overseas Dual Time, but with NAC coated bridges that give the movement a darkened appearance with an anthracite grey colouring (most of the time, this movement is rhodium plated and has a lighter silvery colour). Specific to this line of watches in the Vacheron Constantin collection, they feature slightly thicker bridges for greater strength in their construction. The movement also features a 22K gold rotor with a relief engraving of the mountain inspired by a photograph taken by Cory Richards. Befitting a manufacturer of Haute Horlogerie, the movement is Poincon de Geneve certified, a mark of its fine finishing, as well as its reliability and functionality.
Overseas Chronograph “Everest”
Taking the sporty nature of the chronograph, and using design cues from the original model, the Overseas Chronograph “Everest” edition brings a harder edge to the Overseas Chronograph. With a slight redesign, the case now incorporates crown and pusher guards, protecting the titanium pushers and crown, whilst remaining at a 42.5mm diameter. Also featuring a bezel in the Maltese Cross motif, the case features the same bi-metal, stainless steel and titanium construction as the Dual Time model.
The dial features enlarged hour markers compared with the original Overseas Chronograph, most notably at 12, 3, 6 and 9. This aids with night visibility with its blue light emission. The dial also features the same grained finishing in a grey-blue colouring, with orange chronograph hands for the central seconds as well as the hour and minute chronograph counter hands.
The date can be found tucked away at 4:30 with a colour matched date wheel to blend in with the grey-blue dial. The watch is delivered on a Cordura strap, and a second strap in grey rubber – both are easily interchanged through the quick change system seen on many current generation Overseas models.
Housed within the stainless steel and titanium case is the in-house calibre 5200/2, differing from the original model with a NAC treatment that gives the baseplate a more contemporary look with an anthracite grey colouring, compared to the traditional rhodium plating seen in other movements. The watch, like the Dual Time in this collection, features a 22K gold rotor with a relief engraving of the mountain inspired by Richards’ photograph, and the movement bears the Geneva Seal, a mark of its point of origin, as well as its finishing and functionality.
These new additions to the Overseas line are a boutique limited edition of 150 pieces for each of the Dual Time and the Chronograph. Whilst this may disappoint some watch fans, it is great to see that a well-received prototype is being produced by Vacheron Constantin. In a way, listening to its fans has produced what will arguably be one of the most coveted models by the brand, and will prove to be hot property for years to come.
Tech Specs
Overseas Dual Time “Everest”
Reference: 7910V/000T-B922
Caliber: 5110 DT/2, Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin Mechanical, self-winding, NAC treatment, 22K pink gold Overseas oscillating weight with Everest engraving 30.6 mm (131⁄4’’’) diameter, 6 mm thick, approximately 60 hours of power reserve, 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour), 234 components, 37 jewels, Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Indications: Hours and minutes, central seconds, second timezone, set by the crown, day/night (AM/PM) indication at 9 o’clock, synchronised with home time, date at 6 o’clock – synchronised with local time, set by pusher
Case: Titanium and stainless steel, 41 mm diameter, 12.8 mm thick, bezel, crown, pusher guards and pushers in titanium, bezel-ring in stainless steel, screwed-down crown and quarter-turn screw-lock pushers, transparent sapphire crystal caseback water-resistant tested at a pressure of 15 bar (approx. 150 meters)
Dial: Grey-blue grained dial, 18K gold applied hour-markers, 18K gold hours, minutes, seconds and counters hands, orange dual time hands, hours-markers and hours & minutes hands highlighted with blue Super-LumiNova®
Straps: Grey Cordura® fabric with Orange stitching, featuring a black nubuck leather lining, delivered with a second strap in grey rubber
Clasp: Titanium/Stainless steel folding clasp
Overseas Chronograph “Everest”
Reference: 5510V/000T-B923
Caliber: 5200/2, Developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin, mechanical, self-winding, 22K pink gold, Overseas oscillating weight, 30.6 mm (131⁄4’’’) diameter, 6.6 mm thick, approximately 52 hours of power reserve, 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour), 263 components, 54 jewels, Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Indications: Hours and minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, date, column-wheel chronograph (30-minute and 12-hour counters)
Case: Titanium and stainless steel, 42.5 mm diameter, 13.7 mm thick, bezel, crown, pusher guards and pushers in titanium, bezel-ring in stainless steel, screwed-down crown and quarter-turn screw-lock pushers, transparent sapphire crystal caseback, water-resistant tested at a pressure of 15 bar (approx. 150 metres)
Dial: Grey-blue grained dial, 18K gold applied hour-markers, 18K gold hours, minutes, seconds and counters hands, orange chronograph hands, hour-markers and hours & minutes hands highlighted with blue Super-LumiNova®
Straps: Grey Cordura® fabric with Orange stitching, featuring a black nubuck leather lining, delivered with a second strap in grey rubber
Clasp: Titanium/Stainless steel folding clasp