Vacheron Constantin

The best laid plans of mice and WHL...

 

As much as I like getting new watches, with “new box” smell, hang tags attached, blue and clear plastics covering the case, bracelet, and buckle, the knowledge that no one else has owned it before me, along with that manufacture warranty, I adore playing in the preowned market because I am never quite sure what is going to come my way.

Last year I wrote about the vintage Vacheron Constantin XXL that made its way into my collection:

vacheron.watchprosite.com

I wasn’t seeking it out, but when I saw it I jumped at the opportunity to make it mine. I also wrote last year about my intention of getting an Overseas back into my collection. The conclusion was that I was going to seek out the stainless steel Overseas Chronograph with titanium bezel  and chronograph pushers, and gray dial:

That plan was all for the good, but reality threw me a curve ball, and motive, means, and opportunity lead me in a slightly different direction:


This is the new-to-me Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph, US Edition, with reference number 49150/000A-9337, was announced in 2007 and sold in 2008 in a limited, numbered edition of 100 pieces. This watch is probably familiar to a lot of readers due to respo’s sharing of photos of his example over the past two years, and like him, I expect to acquire the iconic Overseas bracelet to have a third option to go with the black crocodile with red stitching and black rubber straps.


That I know a few other PuristS who also have this watch appeals to me, making it feel like I’m part of a special club. That it is a limited edition appeals to me, as well as for the fact the 30-minute subdial is the same size as the 12-hour dial. In most Overseas Chronograph models it is enlarged slightly, which helps with legibility, but at the expense of symmetry.


The movement is still working flawlessly, though I would expect it to need service on the sooner side, at which time I’m sure that VC’s polishers will also have the case and bezel looking like new.



It’s good to have an Overseas back in my collection. It is a great everyday watch, going well with suits as well as casual wear. Partnered with a dress watch, either vintage like the XXL or modern like the Patrimony Contemporaine, it makes for a nice two-watch collection of Vacheron Constantin watches.


Conclusion

With 2014, the 10th anniversary of the current generation of the Overseas looming and and for which I would expect to see and updated design, probably featuring Vacheron Constantin manufacture movements, I might well wish that I had waited before coming back to the Overseas design for my fifth go-around at owning one. But then this watch was here for me now, and should the grass actually turn out to be greener on the other side I have no doubt that I’ll move on from this watch and seek out one with that new box smell, hang tags attached, wrapped carefully in plastic, and with that Vacheron Constantin warranty.

Bill
VC Forum Moderator