While the highlight of their Watches & Wonders releases is without question the Traditionnelle Tourbillon Chronograph Excellence Platin, there are some other gems to be discovered too. There’s a new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Titanium Tourbillon that’s relatively understated. It fills a gap in the collection rather than revolutionising it, but it’s gorgeous in the metal.
At this point Overseas with tourbillons, Overseas in titanium and even titanium Overseas with tourbillons (in skeletonised form) are not strangers. However, all of those watches have specific design elements and quirks such as gem-set bezels or limited editions. What the new Overseas Titanium Tourbillon brings to the table is being a core collection model that’s as pure and simple as possible.
It’s a 42.5mm diameter timepiece with the classic Overseas tonneau-esque case with integrated bracelet and Maltese cross bezel. On the wrist it’s uncannily lightweight, a combination of its incredibly light titanium construction and the fact that it’s fairly thin with a thickness of 10.39mm. With titanium becoming so prevalent I wonder how long the discourse about wanting watches to have a ‘satisfying heft’ will last – if titanium becomes the norm will we start to find steel clunky and clumsy?
One of the advantages that steel still has is that it can be finished in more ways. Although looking closely at the Overseas Titanium Tourbillon shows that it has a nice selection of finishes thanks to being grade 5 titanium, which allows the metal to take a polish. Up close you can also appreciate the sunray brushing of the blue dial and the exposed tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock.
The movement is the 2160, an automatic calibre with an 80-hour power reserve and bearing the Hallmark of Geneva (Poinçon de Genève), a sign of superlative finishing. Considering that the movement is great, the case is lovely and the dial is classic, the watch is price on request and a boutique exclusive, which makes sense.
Price and Specs:
More details at Vacheron Constantin.
