Watch Of The Week: Vacheron Constantin’s New Overseas Chronograph In A Steel ‘Panda’ Version

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

At Haute Time, we are very keen on the ‘panda’ dial, so when Vacheron Constantin revealed the new face of its Overseas Chronograph, we were instantly intrigued. Offering a sporty yet sophisticated look for the timepiece, the new steel ‘panda’ chronograph is designed with a silver-toned, sunburst satin-finished dial, snailed black counters, black velvet-finished flange with 18-karat white gold hour-markers and hours, minutes, seconds and counters hands, highlighted with Super-LumiNova®.

An incredibly dynamic dial with the contrasting ‘panda’ style, giving the nod to the motorsports-dedicated timepieces of the 1960s, this new chronograph definitely catapults Vacheron Constantin into a sportier echelon while also maintaining the refined beauty that is woven into the brand’s design codes. It’s also a timepiece that embodies Vacheron Constantin’s heritage throughout the years. In 1999, with the launch of the very first chronographs in the collection, Vacheron Constantin made Overseas watches the symbol of horological pleasure geared towards travel and escapism.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

“Since their creation more than 20 years ago, Overseas chronographs have always been synonymous with exploration for the Manufacture,” explains Style & Heritage Director Christian Selmoni. “These versatile timepieces combine the spirit of Haute Horlogerie characterizing Vacheron Constantin with the refined sporting elegance suggested by the chronograph function. In a way, the Overseas chronographs have always marked, for the Manufacture, a desire for controlled yet subtly disruptive breakthroughs, a desire to explore other watchmaking territories and to experiment with new creative fields.”

At the heart of the watch is the in-house self-winding Calibre 5200, which features a 22-karat gold oscillating weight adorned with a wind rose, a symbol of travel and exploration, visible through a sapphire caseback. The movement also has a twin barrel fitted with a column wheel complete with a Maltese cross-shaped screw and used to control the start-stop-reset chronograph function.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

Proving premium versatility, the timepiece is fitted with three interchangeable bracelets and straps, steel calf leather, and rubber — each offering a distinct personality to the timepiece.