For Cory Richards, professional photographer and long-distance explorer, the world is brimming with discoveries of which one never tires. Among his many journeys, the Himalayas occupy a special place in the heart of this experienced mountaineer who has already conquered it twice, once without oxygen in 2016. Never short of a challenge, he was keen to undertake a third ascent, this time along the North-East ridge in Tibet, one of the most difficult routes to the roof of the world. Unfortunately, weather conditions decided otherwise. Despite over a year’s careful preparation, Cory Richards had to give up his attempt to reach the top. A wise decision in the face of Mother Nature's whims.

Driven by passion, the same openness to the world and taste for innovation, along with audacity and a desire to push existing limits, the American explorer-photographer and Vacheron Constantin decided to embark together on the path of achievement and a discovery of the planet's beauties. Cory Richards thus joined the very select group of personalities chosen by Vacheron Constantin to embody its "One of not many" communication campaign. Expressing an exceptional universe, this signature accompanies creative collaborations with talents acknowledged for their expertise and their steadfast quest for excellence.

Straight from NYC where we are with Vacheron Constantin and Cory Richards, the renowned climber and photographer. Embodying the beauty of the Earth and Nature, the photographs and videos taken on the dizzying slopes of Everest during Cory Richard’s new attempted ascent will be exhibited at the Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world. This creative collaboration with the Manufacture has also given rise to an extremely good looking Overseas Dual Time prototype that the explorer wore on his wrist during his ascent. To set the pace for his adventure on the slopes of Everest, Cory Richards wanted to have a watch enabling him to keep track the time in Nepal, as well as back home in the United States. For that purpose, he chose an Overseas Dual Time. In honor of his challenge and his constant quest to excel, the Manufacture created a prototype especially with him in mind and featuring an oscillating weight engraved with a design based on one of his Everest photos.

The 41 mm case is forged from sturdy and light titanium, while a reinforcement made of tantalum — a particularly hard metal— has been integrated beneath the bezel and on the crowns. This model is fitted with an orange-stitched grey blue Ventile technical fabric distinguished by its density along with its exceptional waterproofness and a matching titanium bracelet. The sporty nature of the prototype is likewise expressed in the grey blue frosted dial as well as in the NAC treatment applied to its movement. Additionally, the dual time hand in orange provides superb readability along with the other orange accents on the dial.

Lastly, a special engraving of a view of the Himalayas and Mount Everest decorates the 22K gold oscillating weight. For the engraving, Cory Richards provided Vacheron Constantin with a photo he took of the view of Mount Everest as seen from the Tibetan Plateau. The master engravers at Vacheron Constantin replicated it.

On December 10th, 2019, this prototype sold for a total of $106,250 USD —including buyer’s fees. The watch almost tripled its original estimate at the Phillips Watches auction. While the Cory Richards' prototype is a unique piece and not a regular production watch, it is important to mention that the retail price for a stainless steel Overseas Dual Time is only $24,700. The unique look of this watch along with the story and provenance that accompanies it, warrants the amount paid at Phillips.

Hopefully in the future, we will see a limited edition watch being offered for sale after this incredibly looking prototype.

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