====== Vacheron Constantin Overseas ======
{{wst>image_r|Vacheron_Constantin_Overseas|Vacheron Constantin Overseas}}
**Overseas** is a line of [[sports watch]]es produced by [[Vacheron Constantin]] since [[1996]].

===== History =====
In [[1972]], [[Audemars Piguet]] shook the watch world by introducing the [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak|Royal Oak]], a premium-priced steel [[sports watch]] with an integrated bracelet and "porthole" styling. Designed by [[Genta, Gerald|Gerald Genta]], the Royal Oak provided a template for other Swiss luxury watch makers to follow. He went on to design similar watches for [[Patek Philippe]] (the [[Patek Philippe Nautilus|Nautilus]]) and [[IWC]] (the [[IWC Ingenieur SL 1832|"Jumbo" Ingenieur SL]]).

Vacheron Constantin followed the same basic template for their "project 222", introduced in [[1977]]. Young designer [[Hysek, Jörg|Jörg Hysek]] created a very similar design, complete with screws from the caseback to the bezel "sandwiching" the case for water and shock resistance and an integrated bracelet of flat links. The Vacheron model aped the Royal Oak with an extremely flat case thanks to the [[ultra-thin]] [[Jaeger-LeCoultre]]-derived [[VC 1120|Cal. 1120]], the same basic movement also used by Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe. The [[Vacheron Constantin 222|Ref. 222]] featured a scalloped bezel, a plain dial with baton markers, and the distinctive [[Maltese Cross]] at lower right on the case. It was available in 37 mm, 34 mm, and 25 mm (quartz) versions (as well as a square-case variant) through the mid-1980s.

An octagonal [[Vacheron Constantin 333|Ref. 333]] model followed in the 1980s, along with the [[Vacheron Constantin Phidias|Phidias]] from the 1990s, before Vacheron Constantin returned to the style of the 222 with the [[1996]] **Overseas**. All Overseas watches feature a trademark Maltese Cross bezel, with eight points like the Royal Oak but no exposed screw heads, though the bracelet is a three-part link design quite different from the 222 or competing models. The original Ref. 42050 measured 37 mm and was powered by [[VC 1310|Cal. 1310]], while later versions measured 35 mm (Ref. 79050) and 24 mm (Ref. 16050). An [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph|Overseas Chronograph]] (Ref. 49140) was launched in [[1999]] featuring the [[Piguet 1185|F. Piguet Cal. 1185]] with a [[big date]] added.

//Phase 2// of the Overseas line appeared in [[2004]]. The new versions were streamlined with a new bracelet and larger 42 mm case as well as the updated [[VC 1126|Cal. 1126]] (based on the [[JLC 889]]) with an [[anti-magnetic]] soft iron case like the [[IWC Ingenieur]] and [[Rolex Milgauss]]. The Overseas Chronograph was updated as well, though the [[VC 1137|Cal. 1137]] movement remained similar to the previous model. The [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time|Overseas Dual Time]] was added in [[2006]] with [[VC 1222|Cal. 1222]], nearly the same movement used by Audemars Piguet in the [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time|Royal Oak Ref. 26120]]. The chronograph was available with a leather or rubber strap for the first time in [[2007]] with a limited edition for the USA. A [[perpetual calendar]] model was introduced as well.

In [[2016]], Vacheron Constantin introduced //Phase 3// of the Overseas line with a completely redesigned case. The most obvious change was the bezel, which now features six Maltese Cross elements over an integrated disc, as well as the addition of a sapphire [[display caseback]]. The bracelet appears similar to Phase 2 but now features a novel system to allow straps to be interchanged without the use of tools. The new [[VC 5100|Cal. 5100]] and [[VC 5200|Cal. 5200]] move the model to an in-house movement for the first time. A [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time|World Time]] model is new, and an [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Ultra-Thin|Ultra-Thin]] model recalls the original and even uses [[VC 1120|Cal. 1120]]. The [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph|Chronograph]] gets an in[house movement as well, [[VC 5200|Cal. 5200]], but loses the big date feature of the old F. Piguet movement.

The first-ever [[tourbillon]] in the Overseas line was introduced at [[SIHH]] in [[2019]], the aptly-named [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon|Overseas Tourbillon, Ref. 6000]].

===== Historic References =====
==== Pre-Overseas ====
  * [[Vacheron Constantin 222]] ([[1977]]) - [[VC 1121]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin 333]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Phidias]]

==== Phase 1 ====
The original Overseas, introduced in [[1996]]

  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas 42050|Ref. 42050]] - 37 mm, [[VC 1310|Cal. 1310]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas 79050|Ref. 79050]] - 35 mm
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas 16050|Ref. 16050]] - 24 mm, Quartz movement

==== Phase 2 ====
[[Anti-magnetic]] case, launched in [[2004]]

  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas 47040|Overseas "Large Model" Ref. 47040]] (2004-) - 42 mm [[VC 1126]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas 25250|Overseas "Small Model" Ref. 25250]] (2004-2013) - 34 mm [[VC 1207]] Quartz
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph 49150|Overseas Chronograph Ref. 49150]] (2004-) - 42 mm, [[VC 1137]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time 47450|Overseas Dual Time Ref. 47450]] (2006-) - 42 mm, [[VC 1222]], [[dual timezone]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas 47560|Overseas Small Model Date Self-Winding Ref. 47560]] (2011-) - 36 mm [[VC 1226]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas 47660|Overseas Lady Date Self-Winding Ref. 47660]] (2011-) - 36 mm [[VC 1126]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Lady Date|Overseas Lady Date Self-Winding]] (2014-2016) - 36 mm [[VC 1226]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph Perpetual Calendar|Overseas Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Ref. 49020]] (2011-2016) - 42 mm, [[VC 1136|VC 1136 QP]]

===== Current Phase 3 References =====
Updated models beginning in [[2016]], many with in-house movements and a quick-change strap system

  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas 4500|Overseas Ref. 4500]] (2016-present) - [[VC 5100|Cal. 5100]], 41 mm diameter, 11 mm thick
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Small Model|Overseas Small Model Ref. 2300]] (2016-present) - [[VC 5300|Cal. 5300]], 37 mm diameter, 10.8 mm thick
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Ultra-Thin|Overseas Ultra-Thin Ref. 2000]] (2016-present) - [[VC 1120|Cal. 1120/1]], 40 mm diameter, 7.5 mm thick
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph|Overseas Chronograph Ref. 5500]] (2016-present) - [[VC 5200|Cal. 5200]], 42.5 mm diameter, 13.7 mm thick, [[column-wheel]] [[automatic chronograph]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time|Overseas Dual Time Ref. 7900]] (2017-present) - [[VC 5110|Cal. 5110 DT]], 41 mm diameter, 12.8 mm thick, [[dual timezone]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time|Overseas World Time Ref. 7700]] (2016-present) - [[VC 2460|Cal. 2460 WT/1]], 43.5 mm diameter, 12.6 mm thick, [[world time]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar|Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar Ref. 4300]] (2016-present) - [[VC 1120|Cal. 1120 QP/1]], 41.5 mm diameter, 8.1 mm thick, [[perpetual calendar]]
  * [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon|Overseas Tourbillon, Ref. 6000]] (2019-present) - [[VC2160|Cal. 2160]]

===== Literature =====
  * [[Das ZEITGEFÜHL-Uhrenbuch]]; Author [[Gerd-Lothar Reschke]]; ISBN 3-938607-61-0
  * [[https://monochrome-watches.com/history-vacheron-constantin-overseas-1970s-icon/|The History of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas -- The Other 1970s Icon]], Monochrome Watches, 2016


{{tag>Watch_models Vacheron_Constantin_models}}