Vacheron Constantin Just Went Nuts With This Overseas

There are watches that are appealing because of their subtle elegance, and then there are pieces like this - the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Grand Complication Openface - which just doesn’t care and shows us that Vacheron is capable of doing some crazy things like this.

Vacheron’s been around for 270 years (yeah, two hundred and seventy), and they’re clearly in the mood to celebrate. This new release is their way of showing what happens when you go full throttle on one of the most iconic integrated sports watches in the game.

And make no mistake - this is not your usual Overseas.

Source: Hodinkee

A Beast in Titanium

Let’s get the basics out of the way: this thing is 44.5mm wide, 13.1mm thick, and made entirely from grade 5 titanium - including the bracelet. If that sounds large, you’re right. It’s a big watch, no sugar-coating it. But with the kind of machinery packed inside, it had to be.

Inside beats Vacheron’s 2755 QP movement, a hand-wound mechanical symphony made of 602 components. You’re looking at a minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, and even a power reserve indicator on the back.

That’s four top-shelf complications crammed into one sleek sports case.

It ticks along at 18,000 vibrations per hour, has a power reserve of around 58 hours, and proudly carries the Geneva Seal, so you know the finishing is proper. The movement itself isn’t new (it originally came out in 2005), but this is the first time it’s ever been shoved inside an Overseas.

And it fits like a glove.

Source: Hodinkee

Wait, A Minute Repeater? In This?

Yeah. A minute repeater.

This is a first for the Overseas line. It’s also kind of absurd when you think about it - a watch known for being sporty and rugged now comes with one of the most delicate and technically challenging complications in all of watchmaking.

Minute repeaters are usually reserved for dress watches. Here, Vacheron tossed one into a titanium sports case and gave it 30 meters of water resistance. Doesn’t sound like much? Consider that even getting a minute repeater remotely splash-proof is an engineering headache. Vacheron reportedly spent over a year just figuring out how to protect the mechanism while keeping the sound crisp.

Oh, and if you’re wondering - the crown doesn’t screw down. Some will complain, but I get it. Manually winding this beast every couple of days would be a pain if you had to unscrew the crown each time.

Source: Hodinkee

The "Openface" Dial Hits Hard

The dial - if you can even call it that - is partially skeletonised with a mix of blue-toned transparency and floating subdials. Vacheron calls it "Openface," and the vibe is ultra-modern. The result is a watch that lets you peek into the madness underneath without being overwhelmed by it.

It walks a nice line: complicated, yes, but not too much. You’ve got all your perpetual calendar info up front - date, day, month, leap year - along with a massive tourbillon at 6 o’clock. But thanks to the translucent layers, the whole thing feels surprisingly airy. You can see just enough of the movement to remind you of what’s going on behind the curtain.

Flip it over, and the view continues. The caseback shows off the rest of the 2755 QP movement with a clean, industrial finish: darkened bridges, polished bevels, and rhodium-plated wheels. It’s high horology with a slight edge. 

Source: Hodinkee

The Strap

One of the best parts of the modern Overseas line is how easy it is to change the look of the watch. This one’s no different. Out of the box, you get:

• A full titanium bracelet (with polished and brushed finishing),
  
  

• A blue rubber strap,
  
  

• And a blue alligator leather strap.
  
  

All three use Vacheron’s quick-release system, which means you can swap them out in seconds without any tools. Love that.

Each strap totally changes the character of the watch, from a high-tech weapon on a bracelet to low-key elegance on leather. The versatility is crazy for something this complicated.

So… How Much?

Vacheron hasn’t given an official price - they’re playing the whole “Price available upon client request” card. But let’s not kid ourselves. This thing is going to cost more than a Porsche.

If I had to guess? Somewhere north of €500,000. Maybe a bit under, maybe a bit over. Either way, it’s in ultra-rich collector territory.

Also, it’s not a numbered limited edition, but it’s what Vacheron calls “limited production.” In other words: good luck getting one.

Source: Hodinkee

Final Thoughts

Look, this watch isn’t about value. It’s not about daily wear. It’s not even about practicality.

It’s about watchmaking firepower. It's Vacheron Constantin planting a flag and saying, “Yes, we can do sporty. Yes, we can do complicated. And yes, we can do both - in the same damn watch.”

Is it too big? For some wrists, yes. Is it overkill? Totally. But that’s the fun of it. This is an Overseas at full volume. Titanium case. Four major complications. Transparent dial. A minute repeater you can actually get wet (but maybe don’t).

It’s the kind of watch that reminds you why watchmaking is still exciting - not because it’s necessary, but because it’s possible.

TL;DR:

The new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Grand Complication Openface is a technical knockout in titanium, featuring a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, tourbillon, and power reserve. 

It’s big (44.5mm), lightweight (titanium), and ultra-complicated (602 components). Limited production, price on request (you will need to re-mortgage your house). 

A wild flagship for the Overseas line - and one of the boldest Vacherons in years.