After presenting the new version of its iconic Overseas collection at the SIHH 2016 as we brought you all the new models here, and the news on the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas a little bit over a month ago. Today we bring you our hands-on review on the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time ref. 7700V/110A-B129. This new watch is available in three different dials and was created focused on those traveling around the world. The Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time ref. 7700V is fitted with a robust stainless steel case measuring 43.5 mm in diameter and 12.6 mm in thickness. The new VC Overseas World Time just like all other recently released Overseas timepieces, features the easy-fit system that allows the wearer to switch between a stainless steel bracelet, a rubber strap or an alligator strap with nubuck lining without the need for any tools.
The Dial
The dial of the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time ref. 7700V displays all available 37 time zones, including those that are off-set by a half-hour or quarter-hour in relation to UTC time. The dial, available in eitherblue, chocolate brown with yellow accents or as featured here, is composed by three superimposed discs. The center features a 'Lambert' projection map depicting the continents and the oceans as viewed from the Northern cap—enhanced by a sunburst satin-brushed finish with the oceans in a velvet finish—, along with a translucent lacquered disc bearing the city names —all time zones affected by half-hour or quarter-hour variations are displayed in red.
A third sapphire disc laid over the map provides day/night indications by means of subtly graded smoky tints, synchronized with the 24-hour disc showing dark shaded areas as night and light shaded areas as day. Finally, a translucent lacquered velvet-finished outer ring serves to indicate the hours and minutes in a very nice light grey color.
Despite its complex construction principles and the somewhat busy dial, the world time movement in the Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time is extremely user-friendly. The wearer chooses the reference time and places it opposite the triangle located around the bezel at 6 o’clock —in this case Mexico City. The time in the reference location can then be read off either by the hour hand, or by the 24-hour disc, while the time in the other 36 time zones is simultaneously readable. The cities shown in black represent the full time zones, while the cities in red indicate half-hour or quarter-hour zones.
The Crown
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time, is fitted with a screw-down crown for winding and time setting. The crown also controls all necessary adjustments regarding the worldtimer functions. One thing we did notice, is that there is some jerking on the hands whenever one is rotating the crown to advance the cities disc. Additionally, the thickness of the bezel along with the somewhat small crown size, make it relatively hard to screw the crown back in place without the risk of damaging it. Regardless, not a deal breaker as the watch is automatic and not a manual wound one.
The Movement
Powering this exceptional new watch, is the Vacheron Constantin automatic in-house calibre 2460 WT composed of 255 parts and 27 jewels. This movement bearing the the Poinçon de Genève —Hallmark of Geneva—, beats at a frequency of 4 Hz —28,800 vph— to provide a power reserve of 40 hours when fully wound. The movement is fully visible via the display case back and it features a beautiful 22K gold oscillating weight bearing a wind rose —the symbol indicating the cardinal points— adorned with sandblasted, polished and finely grained finishing. Additionally, this movement features a soft iron casing ring to ensure full anti-magnetic protection and the watch is water resistant to 150 meters.
The Bracelet & Strap Easy-Fit System
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time ref. 7700V is sold with matching stainless steel bracelet, two additional straps —black rubber and matte black alligator— featuring the new Easy-Fit system and with an additional interchangeable double folding clasp also in stainless steel.
The stainless steel bracelet is very solid in construction and finished with a superb satin brushed finish with bead blasted Maltese cross on the clasp and mirror polished angles around the half-Maltese cross links. The bracelet features a double folding deployant clasp.
To switch between the bracelets and straps, one only needs to pull a small tab located at the very center and end of the bracelet or the strap to release it from the case. To put it back in place, one just needs to firmly push the bracelet or strap back onto the spring bar on the case.
Perhaps the only part of the operation that is a little tricky or somewhat complicated, is the removal of the double folding clasp that comes along with the straps. To remove the clasp from one strap, one needs to turn the clasp around and then push and turn at the same time to allow for a small pin on the middle post that is attached to the strap, to come through a small hole and then release the clasp from it. Other than this, the new Vacheron Constantin easy-fit strap system is indeed very easy to use —especially when it comes to removing or replacing the bracelet.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the watch wears relatively big and somewhat bulky —definitely more like a 44-45 mm watch on a 7.25-7.5" wrist. The Overseas World Time is very sporty but elegant at the same time without being perceived as fragile or delicate. The new Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time is a watch perfectly designed to withstand the daily abuse of a globetrotter and a watch that can take on daily beating like an armored truck due to its case construction.
After reviewing this watch, we can't find any flaws other than the relatively small screw-down crown and the little jerking of the hands when adjusting the cities disc. Other than that, this watch is simply awesome. In terms of wearability, we enjoyed wearing the watch on its bracelet and the rubber strap —not too thrilled about how it feels or looks on the alligator strap.
Sticker Price $37,000 USD. For more info on Vacheron Constantin click here.
