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Claude Daniel Proellochs CEO of Vacheron Constantin talks about the new Overseas
This interview took place on September 28, 2004 a few hours before the official launch of the new Overseas models. Mr. Claude-Daniel Proellochs (CEO of Vacheron Constantin) kindly accepted to sit down and talk about these new models of which everyone at Vacheron Constantin is very excited about.
You can read my write up on the launch of the new Overseas by clicking here
The Purists (TP): Can you present the new Overseas?
Claude-Daniel Proellochs (CDP): Well you know, we launched our first steel watch, well in fact steel and gold in the 1970s: the 222 which is the model the Overseas finds its essence in. The 222 was replaced by the Phidias in the early 90s and the first Overseas were presented in October 1996. We did not want to enter the ?sports? watch segment as for example the Royal Oak, but rather a high performance watch with a sharp design. Our goal was to have an easily identifiable watch and a more incisive marketing and communication campaign. Someone once told me that a good design is one you recognize from 3 bar stools away. (laughs) And I agree! For the Overseas we took our design first used in the 222 with the ?exploded? Maltese Cross on the bezel and reworked the bracelet, the previous Overseas had a very ?tight? bracelet and I believe we made the new watch more supple. The size of the watch has gone from 40mm to 42mm and apart from certain aesthetic modifications we have also added an extra feature with the anti-magnetism.
(the 222 launched for the brand?s 222nd anniversary)
We wanted this new model to be an evolution not a revolution. We don?t want owners of the previous Overseas to feel that their watch is outdated out of style. A Vacheron Constantin is expensive and we didn?t want an owner of the previous model to feel that his watch is less desirable and feel unhappy with what he has.
(Overseas Chronograph)
TP: Why this antimagnetic feature?
CDP: We started experimenting with antimagnetism in 1846. These first watches were not like today?s with an antimagnetic case surrounding the movement but rather movements made with special materials for the balance, hairsprings, plates etc? In 1852 Vacheron Constantin became member of the Antimagnetic Association to reflect on the problems related to magnetism for engineers and others having a profession bringing them in contact with magnetic fields. In 1915 we produced our first antimagnetic pocket watch. We continued our research and in 1954 we produced our first antimagnetic chronograph.
(Vacheron Constantin?s first antimagnetic pocket watch and chronograph)
TP: Why did you feel it was time for a new Overseas?
CDP: Well, the previous model was already 8 years old and we wanted to create a watch with better legibility and greater wearing comfort. The clients for the Overseas usually prefer bigger watches and that?s why we increased the size by 2mm. You know Panerai has changed the perception of size and what was considered a very big watch a few years ago is considered regular today. I don?t believe that this is a fashion thing but a real progress in legibility and comfort.
TP: So you think we?ll never come back to 36-37mm watches?
CDP: We at Vacheron Constantin don?t see it like that. We should and do offer watches of different diameters as to respond to the tastes of our different clients and to propose alternatives.
TP: You mentioned the Royal Oak earlier, what do you reply to those who find the Overseas to look too much like the Royal Oak?
CDP: I don?t think that these watches look alike and it would be suicidal for us to want to copy another brand. Our aim was not to make another Royal Oak because the Royal oak is unique just as the Overseas is unique. But you should remember that the Royal Oak, the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the 222 were all three designed by Gerald Genta, he adapted his design to the perception he had of each brand. You know our clients are not fools and are more and more informed, in great part thanks to you guys at The Purists, and if they found that our watches were just copies of other designs they would very rightly not buy them!
TP: Is the Overseas to evolve with models presenting other features/complications?
CDP: This is a possibility (big smile). The Overseas being a rather sporty watch we will not be integrating any big complications such as a perpetual calendar or tourbillon but certain complications having a relation with the world of travels may see the day such as a GMT function. 2006 will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Overseas and you may see something special then (wink)!
TP: What does the Overseas represent in Vacheron?s production?
CDP: About 1000 pieces per year. We will not be flooding the market with the Overseas and don?t want it to have more importance than our other lines. We want to maintain an equilibrium of production amongst all our models.
TP: Are you trying to develop the ?luxury steel watch? niche with the Royal Eagle and the Overseas?
CDP: No. With the Royal Eagle we wanted a watch with a strong design which would appeal to a younger clientele with lower means. Our aim is to offer alternative possibilities but apart from these two models we will not have any other steel watches in our lines.
TP: What are your markets for the Overseas?
CDP: There is not a single market which is very strong and another very weak and our sales are divided more or less equally among our different markets.
TP: Thank you