Vacheron Constantin

Quick-Look Review: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time

 

Vacheron Constantin introduced the Overseas Dual Time (reference 47450) in 2005 along with the redesigned Overseas (reference 47040) and Overseas Chronograph (reference 47150). Initial production of the Overseas Dual Time included stainless steel models with silver or black textured dials, a yellow gold model with a silver textured dial, and a flamboyant limited edition (250 pieces) rose gold model with a chocolate brown dial.

The yellow gold and rose gold models are now available with crocodile and rubber straps, and a design for women incorporates diamonds on the bezel:


In 2009 Vacheron Constantin extended the Overseas line by introducing a bi-metal Overseas and Overseas Chronograph featuring a stainless steel case with a titanium bezel and slate grey dial with a sunray finish. Like the gold Overseas models that come with both a rubber and crocodile strap, so too do these watches come with two strap options: grey crocodile and black rubber.

For 2010, the stainless steel and titanium look has been extended to the Overseas Dual Time:


Like all Overseas watches, the Dual Time’s 42 mm diameter case is water resistant to 150 meters and is shielded against magnetic fields of up to 25,000 A/m. The titanium crown at 2 o’clock screws down and is used to quickly adjust the pointer date. The case height is 12.45 mm.


The layout of the dial is quite complex, and conveys a lot of information. The reference, or home, time and date is indicated by the central hour and minute hands. The local time hour, with offset day/night indicator, is located at six o’clock, and can be independently set forwards or backwards by the crown in hourly increments. The power reserve indicator, which lasts about forty hours, is read by the arc running from 11 o’clock (up) to 8 o’clock (down).


The slate grey metal dial is given a sunray finish with contrasting finish given to the recessed date, second timezone, and power reserve sub dials. This gives the effect of the dial having two tones of grey (three tone including the slate blue of the upper half of the day/night sub dial). The minute track is painted white. The twelve applied hour markers and the home time hour and minute hands are fabricated from white gold and filled with Superluminova. The seconds other hands are black oxidized 18K gold.

The movement is Vacheron Constantin’s caliber 1222, which is based on a JLC ebauche. This base movement can also be found in JLC’s Master Geographic and Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Dual Time, though each brand uses it in its own way (AP eschews the center seconds and does not have a quickset date; JLC adds World Time; VC eschews the minute hand for the local time sub dial). The movement has 34 jewels, automatic winding, and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour.


Despite the declared function of the watch having the home time on the main dial and the local time on the sub dial, if crossing time zones I would take the extra step to adjust the watch to have local time on the main dial and the home time on the sub dial. This makes it easier to read the time where I am located, especially in dark conditions where the Superluminova is useful.

Like all Overseas watches, this new Overseas Dual Time is attractive, comfortable, and useful. It fits in well with the theme of the Overseas line being sporty, functional, luxurious, and infused with the spirit of exploration, travel, and adventure.




Bill