So nearly $30,000 for a watch. It doesn’t drive you to work. It doesn’t clean your house and make you breakfast, and it certainly does not walk your dog in the evening. It simply keeps track of time and also happens to come with a chronograph which most likely you will never use. So, what’s so special about Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph that is worth spending all that money on?
Without wanting to play devil’s advocate, you are dealing with Haute Horlogerie which in other words means the masters of timekeeping devices. The leaders. The world’s best. The creators and designers of new concepts and styles. Vacheron Constantin is indeed a reputable watch brand the timepieces of who are worn by world celebrities and VIPs. However, it is not enough. So far, neither I am convinced to spend $30.000 on the Overseas Chronograph. So let us continue.
265 Years of Watchmaking Heritage
Swiss watchmakers have been around for centuries now. In fact, the world’s oldest watchmakers are from Switzerland. As you may or may not know, Vacheron Constantin, after Blancpain, is the worlds’ oldest watch manufacturer to exist to this day. The brand was initially founded in 1755 and has been delivering quality and precision ever since. As for Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph, the timepiece is a high-end sport watch that was initially introduced to the world of watches in the late 90s.
Vacheron Constantin Brand Passport
The year of foundation: September 17, 1755
Where was it founded: – Geneva, Switzerland
Brand founder: Jean-Marc Vacheron
Watch type: All types (mainly dress watches)
Price range: From $10.000 up to $90.000
Vacheron Constantin as part of the Holy Trinity
Vacheron Constantin along with Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet are three watch brands that form what is called The Holy Trinity of Watches. The designation has been given to the luxury watch brands by the watch experts community due to their long-lasting journey to the world of watches. What’s more, the brands belonging to The Holy Trinity are to this day family-owned watch houses, a rare quality in today’s world of corporations and enterprises. To add, Patek, Audemars, and Vacheron Constantin are where they are today because of their uninterrupted efforts towards creating better timekeeping instruments that have revolutionized the watch industry for good. Their watches represent a historical value, followed by ultimate precision, and state-of-the-art designs. All of these reasons can justify a little bit spending thousands of dollars on a wristwatch from them.
Reasons Why the Overseas Chronograph is Worth Shining in Your Wrist
It is one of the most beautiful watches you will ever find
A luxury chronograph sports watch that comes with different styles but without compromising some key features that you will identify in every Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph. I am referring to the Maltese cross bezel, the three subdials in the V shape, a date window perfectly positioned in between four and five o’clock, and minute markers in the outer rim.
Not to forget about the silver-cut hour markers and sword-shaped watch hands – all painted with powerful SuperLuminova.
As for the bracelet, it has evolved radically from a classic three-row bracelet to a visually spectacular expression with design motives also inspired by the Maltese cross. Personally, I think a rubber band would make the watch look and feel even more sporty than it already is. The watch can be personalized according to the owner’s wishes. Whether be it leather, stainless steel, rubber, or even a bespoke custom-made band – it is all up to you.
It holds value
As mentioned above, the watch was first introduced to the market around 20 years ago. Back in the late 90s, you could get your hands on a Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph for way less than it is today. That means that the watch price is constantly evolving. As it happens with Royal Oak, Nautilus, Aquanaut, and almost every watch from Rolex – Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph holds its value and you may also see a slight price increase in about ten years from now. What’s more, in recent years, Vacheron Constantin vintage watch models have been sold in auctions, showing that there is a market for the watch.
The type of watch you want to pass down to your kids
You never actually own a Vacheron Constantin. You merely take care of it for the next generation. The Overseas Chronograph is that type of watch that can be passed down for generations. With proper care, the watch will last for ages. It can be easily serviceable and will not show any sign of aging for centuries. Due to its durability, brand reputation, high quality, precision, and unique design, the watch is worth being passed down from you to your children and your children to their children, and so on.
Can the price be considered a downside?
Except for the salty price, the watch has no potential downsizing. And to be honest, Overseas Chronograph belongs to the hyper luxury watches category. So it is intended to adorn the wrists of the world’s 1% of the lucky millionaires. And for them, $30.000 is a necessary expense. So if you are a big baller and don’t mind unreasonably spending you should go for it. You will not find a better watch to glow on your wrist at this price range.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph Review
In-House Watch Movement Caliber 5200
As a highly regarded watch manufacturer, Vacheron Constantin preserves its reputation by delivering only quality watches with groundbreaking precision. The Overseas Chronograph runs in a self-winding movement that operates thanks to caliber 5200 made of 263 parts and counts 54 jewels. The watch provides up to 52 hours of power reserve and it is responsible for keeping track of seconds, minutes, hours, dates, and the chronograph function. The in-house caliber 5200 was introduced in 2016 as part of the latest automatic movement of Vacheron Constantin and out of all watches from Vacheron Constantin, Overseas Chronograph is the only line to use this caliber. If you are looking for a high-end chronograph watch in stainless steel, here you have it.
Materials & Craftsmanship
The luxury watch brand employs around 1200 experts, the majority of who are from the Canton of Geneve, Switzerland. As for the materials, the Swiss manufacturer uses stainless steel or 18K gold for their cases, also stainless steel or leather for their bracelets, and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal for the watch glass. Still, this is the least you could expect even from a $1.000 watch let alone a timepiece at this price range. Well, let me tell you that Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph comes with 2 years of international warranty for factory defects. However, a scenario with more chances to happen is you falling in love at first sight and have your Overseas Chronograph adorn your wrist for the rest of your days. The watch is simply unbreakable.
Anti-Magnetism and Water Resistance
ISO 764, which happens to be the international standard for antimagnetic watches, requires an antimagnetic watch to provide an anti-magnetic rating of at least 4,800 A/m. The Overseas Chronograph provides a respectable 25,000 A/m. So, rest assured as the anti-magnetic shielding which comes in the form of a soft iron ring, will be doing its job correctly. In terms of durability, the case is built to protect the movement from water as the watch can accompany you in about 150 meters of depth. While reading more on the Vacheron Constantin official website, you will find out that the watch is recommended to be left off the water if you are planning to swim or dive for long periods.
Bonus Section – Best Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph Model
If you are thinking about having Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph on your wrist, go for the model in stainless steel with the blue dial. To us, it is one of the most well-designed chronograph watches that Haute Horologie has ever introduced. From the scratch-resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal, you can catch a glimpse of the royal blue dial housing the three chronograph subdials. The silver cut hour markers are perfectly aligned around the translucent lacquered blue dial. And a date window is positioned between four and five o’clock. The outer rim is home to minute markers while the unique stationary bezel is inspired by the Maltese Cross.
What’s more, along with its existing stainless steel bracelet, the watch also comes with a black leather strap and another in rubber. Just in case you want to personalize the watch as you see fit.
The Bottom Line
Now that you have surfed through our Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph review, you have created a better understanding of the watch’s values and qualities. Above you saw that the watch runs in an unstoppable in-house self-winding movement. You learned where its design got its inspiration. You were introduced with its antimagnetic and water resistance superpowers. And you learned that the watch holds its value with the passing of time. But is it worth $30.000? The answer depends on you. It depends on your budget and on how much you are willing to spend on a wristwatch.
