Vacheron Constantin

Another Vacheron Constantin Overseas: The Lady Overseas Self-Winding 47660/000G-9829

 

And now for something completely different.....After writing about all the great men's Overseas models that have been made and are currently in production, I thought it would be fun to share some photos I just took of a model for the fairer sex.

Subtle, isn’t it?

Vacheron Constantin has been making feminine versions of its Overseas for as long as the line has existed, and like with men’s watches, they have expanded in diameter over time. The first generation, the reference 16050 family, was all of 24.5 mm in diameter.


With the relaunch of the Overseas collection in 2004 with the integrated Maltese Cross style bracelet links, the lady’s model reference 25250 was bumped up to a 34 mm , and still retained a quartz movement.


Vacheron Constantin may have overshot the market with the Overseas Dual Time Ladies, reference 47751, identical in size to the men’s Dual Time, though feminized with diamonds on the bezel and a dial that emphasized the subdials, along with straps rather than the bracelet.


More recently, Vacheron Constantin created the 36 mm reference 47650, and this diamond pave model is the latest addition to the line, though the pave finish makes it worthy of its own reference: 47660/000G--9829.


The case, obvisouly the most dramatic component of the watch,  is in 18K white gold and is set with 528 full-cut round diamonds with a total weight of 2.2 carats. In particular I like that diamonds are set even on the edges of the bezel.


While most Overseas models are rated to 150 meters of water resistance, this watch is rated to 50 meters.

While the water resistance is less than typical for the an Overseas (honestly, who would swim with this strapped to the wrist?), the characteristic antimagnetic protection is still there. The movement inside is surrounded by a soft-iron core that protects from fields up to 25,000A/m.


That movement is the same as in the baseline Overseas automatic for me, Vacheron Constantin’s caliber 1226 SC, based on the JLC ebauche, and like that watch, indicates hours, minutes, central sweeping seconds, and date.

Unlike the men’s model, the date on the dial is placed at 3 o’clock, rather than between the hour markers at 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock, which I prefer in this particular case, because the hour markers are all consistent: 3 diamonds set in a baton style frame. Note that the date disk is black and the date number is printed in white. An elegant touch.


The black dial has a sheen to it that sets off the diamonds. The hands have a black fill which makes them appear to be skeleton, a great choice as it would have been wrong to use Superluminova in the context of a diamond pave case.

The slope of the rehaut with diamonds set at 5 minute intervals and printed hashes for the minutes transitions nicely from the dial to the case.

There are two straps that come with the watch. There is the black alligator as seen in these photos, and an addition black satin strap comes in the box. And yes, the buckle too is finished with diamonds (53 in total). So if you are keeping score, this watch has a total of 626 diamonds with a total approximate weight of 2.5 carats.

Bill Lind
VC Forum Moderator