By Kien Lee
Vacheron Constantin in celebration of the 20th anniversary of its Overseas collection, unveiled earlier this year at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) the newest models to add to its outstanding offerings.
The Re-Invention of the Overseas
This was the first time the brand has done a major overhaul of its coveted line, with the redesign not only aesthetic, but also technical. In-house-made movements, as well as complications and complexities including the Overseas ultra-thin, Overseas Chronograph (see below) and Overseas Ultra-thin Perpetual Calendar are the outstanding highlights.
Steve McCurry for Vacheron Constantin
On the occasion, the manufacture also announced its collaboration with photojournalist Steve McCurry, him of the Afghan Girl on National Geographic fame, and winner of some of the most prestigious awards including the Robert Capa Gold Medal, National Press Photographers Award, and an unprecedented four first prize awards from the World Press Photo contest.
McCurry with his eye for detail and visual storytelling of human drama, will present photographs which according to the brand, is a "representation of the history of the world as to the expression the time".
12 iconic locations - rare, little-known and sometimes inaccessible sites - have been chosen, a nod to the hours on a watch dial.
It is through a photograph that a moment in time is captured, and the summation of these images threads a timeline through eternity.
His odyssey begins in Geneva (the birthplace of Vacheron Constantin, founded 260 years ago in 1755) in February 2016 and now continues across the world for an entire year.
The other 5 locations just revealed includes India, China, United States, Mexico and Japan, with McCurry capturing the often lesser seen and esoteric facets of each country.
This is the mission that McCurry has been entasked with.
The Overseas collection embodies the notion of travel, and the partnership between Vacheron Constantin and Steve McCurry dovetails well together.
Travel is an open door that allows one to observe and learn from different cultures and encounters." Steve McCurry
The World Debut of the Overseas World Timer
Vacheron Constantin will also reveal the latest member of the family, the Overseas World Timer watch, alongside the photograph exhibition. Featuring 37 time zones, including those offset by half-hour and quarter-hour increments in relation to UTC time, the timepiece is ideal for the quintessential traveller.
An all-new mechanical self-winding 255-part movement that was developed in house, patented and holding the Hallmark of Geneva certification, attests to its quality craftsmanship.
