ON TOP OF THE WORLD
More at home in urban environments, Vacheron Constantin is now turning its hand to expedition. Planet Earth now serves as a test laboratory for the design of future watches.
For many experienced climbers, ascending Everest remains their biggest challenge. For Cory Richards, the Himalayas are not terra incognita. He has already conquered them twice, including once without oxygen, and set himself the target of climbing them again via an extremely difficult route, the north-east Tibetan ridge. To accompany the National Geographic photographer and explorer, Vacheron Constantin created a watch tailored exactly to his requirements. This collaboration gave rise to the Overseas Dual Time prototype. The 41 mm case made of sturdy and light titanium, has a reinforcement made of tantalum, a hard metal, integrated beneath the bezel. The crown protection is reinforced by two titanium guards. A soft iron case ensures the piece is resistant to magnetic fields. The watch comes with a strap made of a gray blue technical Ventile® fabric. This material stands out for its density along with its exceptional waterproofness.
The time information is completed with an am/pm indicator and a date synchronized to the local time located in a dial at 6 o’clock. Everything is powered by the 5110 DT caliber. This self-winding movement certified by the Geneva Seal can be seen through the sapphire case back, revealing, among other things, the gold oscillating weight combining a wind rose and an engraving of Everest.
Although Cory Richards did not complete his attempt, the adventure certainly proved beneficial to the brand. There is a strong possibility these technical elements will be used in a future variation of its Overseas Dual Time model currently sold in steel or rose gold.
Price: Not for sale vacheron-constantin.com
By Dan Diaconu