It was in 1996 when Vacheron Constantin debuted the Overseas collection, which is considered by many as the spiritual successor to the brand’s 222 models. Over the last 27 years, the flagship luxury sports watch collection has continually grown with the addition of various different variants that enjoy massive demand amongst collectors and patrons, resulting in long waiting lists. Last updated in 2016, the sporty-chic Overseas line has been added with several complications, including a tourbillon, perpetual calendar ultra-thin, chronograph, and dual time models. For 2023, the Maison has added a reference with a moonphase and a retrograde date complication – a first for the Overseas collection. Behold the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Moon Phase Retrograde Date.
Making its debut at the Watches and Wonders 2023, the new Overseas Moon Phase Retrograde Date celebrates Vacheron Constantin’s haute horlogerie roots. It ventures into new territory by bringing together the unusual yet charming combination of complications within a sporty case. The stainless steel timepiece gets plenty of recognizable features, including the 41mm iconic case with a six-sided bezel, polished and satin-brushed surfaces, a fluted crown, and the trademark integrated bracelet. The blue lacquered dial with its sunburst satin-brushed center and the velvet-finish flange is absolutely stunning. While it gets familiar white gold indices and hands, things get truly interesting when you look at the retrograde display.
The semicircular retrograde display is located at 12 o’clock and spans all the way from 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock. A dark blue date pointer moves elegantly over the arc displaying the date before flying back to its origin at the end of each month. The oversized moonphase display makes its presence at 6 o’clock and provides visual balance to the dial. The precision moon phase indicator only requires correction every 122 years. Housed inside the case is Vacheron Constantin’s cal. 2460 R31L/2, an automatic movement with 275 components and a slightly disappointing 40 hours of power reserve. In addition to the steel bracelet, the timepiece also comes with calfskin and rubber straps. Pricing is only available on request.
