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80

Vacheron Constantin

Ref. 49140

Overseas "Prototype Dial"

An extremely rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with prototype dial, large date and bracelet

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Vacheron Constantin launched the Overseas in 1996. It was a sports/chic watch that received design cues from the 222, which was launched almost 20 years before, and displayed a tonneau-shaped case with a round serrated bezel this time in the form of a broken Maltese cross. The first model was launched in a time only format, including an extremely rare left handed version made in only 3 pieces, followed in 1999 by the chronograph housing the automatic calibre 1137 based on the Piguet calibre 1185, specially modified to add a big date mechanism like the present model.

Says JC Torres, Vacheron Constantin’s CEO at the time the Overseas was launched “With time the Overseas has become symbolic of Vacheron Constantin, but I don’t define it as a sports watch, but rather a casual / leisure watch. A sports watch is made for sports, the Overseas of course can be worn during sport activities but it is a discreet model which can be worn during week ends, leisure periods and fit for every day use."


The present Overseas Chronograph features a blue dial with black subdials and outer seconds track, a dial that was never officially launched and fitted to only a few test and presentation models making this configuration extremely rare and as such offering the possibility to acquire a Vacheron Constantin timepiece that was never offered to the public.

Vacheron Constantin

Swiss | 1755

The world's oldest watch brand in continuous operation since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin was the first watch company to manufacture movements with interchangeable parts beginning in 1839. Vacheron's watches are admired for their Latin-influenced case designs, well-balanced proportions and exquisitely finished movements of the highest quality. The Geneva-based manufacturer is known for their highly complicated masterpieces, including the King Farouk Grand Complication made in 1935, the Tour de l'Ile that was the most complicated serially produced wristwatch when introduced in 2005 and the 57260 — the world’s most complicated watch — made in 2015.



Key vintage models include minute repeating wristwatches such as the references 4261, chronographs such as the references 4178 and 6087 and the oversized Cioccolotone models such as ref. 4737. Collectors also appreciate Vacheron's Chronometer Royal pocket and wristwatches, as well as the '222,' the brand's first luxury sports watch produced from 1977 through 1984.

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