Vacheron Constantin (VC) continues its 270th anniversary celebrations by introducing the new Overseas Grand Complication Openface. Featuring a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, and a tourbillon, it is presently the most complicated watch in the brand’s regular catalogue (i.e., non Cabinotiers pieces). It is the first Overseas model with a minute repeater.
Key Features
Image: A modern aesthetic for a classical triple grand complication watch. A grade 5 titanium case and bracelet.
Functions and Operation
Hours and minutes. Small seconds on tourbillon.
Crown at 3 o’clock for winding and time setting.
Minute repeater, activated by a slide on the left side of the case.
Perpetual calendar. Day of the week indicated by the subdial between 9 and 10 o’clock. Date indicated by the subdial between 2 and 3 o’clock. Months indicated by the subdial at 12 o’clock. Leap year indicator near 1 o’clock. Day of the week corrector at 8 o’clock. Date corrector at 10 o’clock. Month corrector at 11 o’clock.
Tourbillon at 6 o’clock.
Power reserve indicator on the reverse side of the watch.
Dial
Image: It joins the lineup of several openface dials in VC’s catalogue. VC’s expertise in openface dials is as impressive as its openworked dials.
Openface dial made from sapphire crystal.
Hour and minute hands are made from 18K white gold and coated with blue Super-LumiNova. Individual subdial hands are made from 18K white gold. The 10 hour-markers are made from 18K white gold and coated with blue Super-LumiNova.
The subdials, seconds scale (circling tourbillon cage), and hour and minute scale on the outer flange are blue in colour with white markings.
Movement
Powered by calibre 2755 QP, a mechanical manual-winding movement that was “developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin.” It drives the hours, minutes, small seconds, minute repeater, perpetual calendar functions (day, date, month, and leap year), tourbillon, and power reserve indicator.
Diameter: 33.90 mm. Thickness: 7.90 mm. Frequency: 18,000 vph or 2.5 Hz. Parts: 602. Jewels: 45. Frequency: 18,000 vph or 2.5 Hz. Power reserve: 58 hours (approximately).
Movement features rhodium-plated wheels, and an NAC finish.
“Movement finishes also include mirror-polished repeater hammers, bevelled and satin-brushed bridges, circular satin-brushed wheels, and bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève.”
“To govern the cadence of the repeater mechanism, which strikes the hours, quarters and minutes on demand, the Maison’s watchmakers developed a centripetal regulator, a proprietary device that allows the hammers to be struck at the precise intervals required to obtain the correct musical sequence. Totally silent, this regulator features two centrifugal weights that act as a motor brake on the axis of rotation, smoothing the flow of energy released by the repeater spring.”
Case
Image: A triple grand complication calibre given an NAC finish and housed in a versatile Overseas case. Water resistant as well, rare for a minute repeater.
Made from grade 5 titanium. Diameter: 44.50 mm. Thickness: 13.10 mm. Dial and caseback feature a sapphire crystal. Water resistant up to 3 bar or 30 metres (approximately).
“Generally speaking, water resistance is difficult to achieve with minute repeater calibres due to the sliding mechanism in the case-side that activates the repeater. The challenge with this model was to ensure the water-resistance of the Overseas case, while adapting its lines to Calibre 2755 QP. This required a year and a half of research and development and involved a complete redesign of the caseback to create space for the minute repeater mechanism while maintaining the slender curves characteristic of Overseas watches.”
Bracelet and Straps
Interchangeable bracelet is made from grade 5 titanium and is satin-finished and polished. It is fitted to a folding clasp from grade 5 titanium. It features a comfort adjustment system. A blue alligator leather strap and a blue rubber strap are provided, with an additional folding clasp made from grade 5 titanium. Both straps are interchangeable.
Our Thoughts
I am incredibly pleased that VC has introduced the Overseas Grand Complication Openface.
It marks a comeback for the calibre 2755 QP, which made its debut in the Traditionnelle 2755, a grand complication watch unveiled in 2009. The calibre 2755 QP has its roots in the Tour de l’Ile, introduced in 2005 to celebrate the brand’s 250th anniversary. With 16 complications, it was the most complicated watch in the world at the time. The Traditionnelle Calibre 2755 was discontinued a few years ago, along with three other grand complications (Traditionnelle Calibre 2253 featuring a tourbillon, perpetual calendar, equation of time, and a 14-day power reserve; Traditionnelle 14 Day Tourbillon Calibre 2260; and Patrimony Ultra-Thin Minute Repeater Calibre 1731). I often wondered why VC would discontinue these phenomenal watches and calibres. The Overseas Grand Complication Openface proves that the calibre is alive and kicking, just reinterpreted (maybe a few improvements too) and given new clothing – a versatile Overseas case. (I hope the same is true for the other calibres too.)
Image: Calibre 2755 QP has its roots in 2005’s Tour de l’Ile.
The Overseas is the most sought after and talked about collection from VC. The third-generation Overseas collection helped put VC on the horological map after its introduction in 2016. It got many collectors and enthusiasts interested in the brand, who otherwise would dismiss it. I noticed this firsthand on several watch groups I am part of. While a triple grand complication such as this is usually the domain of a more classical family, such as the Traditionnelle and Patrimony collections, incorporating calibre 2755 QP in an Overseas case shows VC is willing to take more risks. The Overseas Grand Complication Openface proves that VC has one foot in its storied past – all 270 years of it, and one foot in an ever-changing and dynamic future.
Image: A worthy VC flagship.
For a brand of VC’s stature and prestige, there must always be a perpetual calendar, tourbillon, and a minute repeater in its catalogue. While inaccessible for most, they nevertheless provide aspirational value. While VC has a few perpetual calendar and tourbillon models, a minute repeater was missing. With the Overseas Grand Complication Openface, it has all three back in its catalogue.
I have been fortunate to handle VC grand complications in the past, and I cannot wait to see this. The Overseas Grand Complication Openface is a worthy flagship for VC.
Additional Details
Name: Overseas Grand Complication Openface
Reference: 6510V/110T-128C
Watch is hallmarked with the Poinçon de Genève or Geneva Seal.
Limited production, but not a limited edition.
Price: Upon request. I reckon in the Swiss Franc (CHF) 1 million range.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
Please click here and here to read more about the Traditionnelle Tourbillon Retrograde Date Openface and Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication.
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