- Vacheron Constantin has added two new references to its Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin lineup
- The first release is a monochromatic rose gold timepiece with a golden dial, while the second sees a white gold case complemented by a burgundy lacquer dial
- The design of the 41.5mm timepieces is inspired by the Maltese cross, Vacheron Constantin’s emblem
- Both releases are priced at $120,000USD
Combining high complication watchmaking with streamlined aesthetics, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin has long been prized for its technical prowess and refined appearance. One of the most prized high watchmaking complications, a perpetual calendar—also known as ‘quantième perpétuel’—is able to accurately keep track of the day, date, and month until the year 2100. This places it a step above an annual calendar, which accounts for months with 30 and 31 days, as well as the shorter month of February, but not for leap years, meaning it has to be adjusted every four years on the 29th of February.
Typically, the complicated nature of a perpetual calendar means it’s accompanied by a somewhat sizeable movement, which makes Vacheron Constantin’s display of ultra-thin watchmaking all the more impressive. Now, the oldest member of watchmaking’s holy trinity has added two new references to the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin collection; a rose gold case and bracelet paired with a golden dial and a white gold case and bracelet with a burgundy lacquered dial.
Both timepieces clock in at 41.5mm, with a case width of just 8.1mm. Now, while this isn’t particularly impressive for a dress watch, it is impressively svelte for one that houses a perpetual calendar.
While both timepieces have the same specs, there are a few aesthetic cues differentiating them. The rose gold reference has flecks of blue on the minutes track, acting as a visual break from the otherwise monochromatic colour scheme (including the rose gold moon disc on the moonphase indicator). This continues onto the month display, with one quadrant in the same shade of blue. Atypically, Vacheron Constantin opts for a 48-month display, with each quadrant representing 12 months and a full revolution every four years, hence the repetition of the months January, April, July, and October.
The white gold model deviates from the monochromatic aesthetic of it’s stablemate, pairing the stealth wealth case material with a striking burgundy lacquered dial. The dial layout is almost identical to the rose gold model, down to the subtle injection of blue on the minutes track and month indicator, with the exception of the moonphase aperture, which uses a white gold disc rather than rose gold.
Flip it over and you’ll see the impressively thin (4.05mm, to be precise) calibre 1120 QP/1 at work. Fitted with a gold rotor and hand-finished with striping, chamfering, and perlage, it ensures both references look almost as good from the back as they do dial-side. The automatic movement has a power reserve of 40 hours, meaning it’s a good idea to keep it in a watch winder when not in use to circumvent the arduous process of having to reset a perpetual calendar.
As is typical of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin collection, both models are teamed with integrated bracelets that match the case metal. However, in the interest of versatility, they both come with two rubber straps — blue and white for the rose gold and burgundy and white for the white gold.
Both timepieces are priced at $120,000USD and available upon enquiry.
Price: $120,000USD
Model: Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin (ref. 4300V/220R-H144 [rose gold]; 4300V/220G-H151 [white gold])
Case size: 41.5mm
Movement: 1120 QP/1 (automatic)
Water resistance: 5ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, perpetual calendar (day, date, month, moonphase, leap year indications)
Power reserve: 40 hours
Words by T. Angel
