WHL's quick-look review of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time (Ref. 47450) provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of this versatile travel watch. This article is essential for collectors seeking to understand the various iterations and technical specifications of a key model within the Overseas collection.
Vacheron Constantin introduced the Overseas Dual Time (reference 47450)
in 2005 along with the redesigned Overseas (reference 47040) and
Overseas Chronograph (reference 47150). Initial production of the
Overseas Dual Time included stainless steel models with silver or black textured dials, a yellow gold model with a silver textured dial, and a
flamboyant limited edition (250 pieces) rose gold model with a chocolate
brown dial.
All photos above by Alberto Schileo The yellow gold and rose gold
models are now available with crocodile and rubber straps, and a design for women incorporates diamonds on the bezel:
In 2009 Vacheron Constantin extended the Overseas line by
introducing a bi-metal Overseas and Overseas Chronograph featuring a
stainless steel case with a titanium bezel and slate grey dial with a
sunray finish. Like the gold Overseas models that come with both a
rubber and crocodile strap, so too do these watches come with two strap
options: grey crocodile and black rubber.
For 2010, the
stainless steel and titanium look has been extended to the Overseas Dual
Time:
Like all Overseas watches, the Dual
Time’s 42 mm diameter case is water resistant to 150 meters and is
shielded against magnetic fields of up to 25,000 A/m. The titanium crown
at 2 o’clock screws down and is used to quickly adjust the pointer
date. The case height is 12.45 mm.
The layout of the dial is
quite complex, and conveys a lot of information. The reference, or home,
time and date is indicated by the central hour and minute hands. The
local time hour, with offset day/night indicator, is located at six
o’clock, and can be independently set forwards or backwards by the crown
in hourly increments. The power reserve indicator, which lasts about
forty hours, is read by the arc running from 11 o’clock (up) to 8
o’clock (down).
The slate grey
metal dial is given a sunray finish with contrasting finish given to
the recessed date, second timezone, and power reserve sub dials. This
gives the effect of the dial having two tones of grey (three tone
including the slate blue of the upper half of the day/night sub dial).
The minute track is painted white. The twelve applied hour markers and
the home time hour and minute hands are fabricated from white gold and
filled with Superluminova. The seconds other hands are black oxidized
18K gold.
The movement is Vacheron Constantin’s caliber 1222,
which is based on a JLC ebauche. This base movement can also be found in
JLC’s Master Geographic and Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Dual Time,
though each brand uses it in its own way (AP eschews the center seconds
and does not have a quickset date; JLC adds World Time; VC eschews the
minute hand for the local time sub dial). The movement has 34 jewels,
automatic winding, and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour.
Despite the declared function of the watch having the home
time on the main dial and the local time on the sub dial, if crossing
time zones I would take the extra step to adjust the watch to have local
time on the main dial and the home time on the sub dial. This makes it
easier to read the time where I am located, especially in dark
conditions where the Superluminova is useful.
Like all Overseas
watches, this new Overseas Dual Time is attractive, comfortable, and
useful. It fits in well with the theme of the Overseas line being
sporty, functional, luxurious, and infused with the spirit of
exploration, travel, and adventure.
Bill
