Vacheron Constantin Overseas Grand Complication Openface debuts minute repeater in the collection

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Grand Complication Openface debuts minute repeater in the collection. The price of 6510V/110T-128C is provided on request

The new Overseas Grand Complication Openface marks the debut of a minute repeater in Vacheron Constantin’s sport-chic Overseas collection.

Presented in a 44.5 mm by 13.1 mm case made of Grade 5 titanium, the watch also incorporates a perpetual calendar, a tourbillon, and a power reserve indicator. This combination of complications makes it the most sophisticated timepiece in the collection.

The case is water-resistant to 3 bar, a notable achievement for a minute repeater. Since this complication requires a sliding mechanism to activate the chimes, ensuring water resistance is especially challenging. 

Addressing this required 18 months of research and development, including a complete redesign of the caseback to accommodate the minute repeater mechanism while maintaining the dynamic lines characteristic of the Overseas.

The 7.9 mm-thick Calibre 2755 QP, enhanced with rhodium-plated wheels and NAC-treated components, is fully visible through the sapphire crystal dial. 

The openworked architecture offers a clear view of the tourbillon, which beats at a leisurely pace of 18,000 vibrations per hour.

Comprising 602 components within a diameter of 33.3 mm, the movement includes a perpetual calendar displaying the date, day, month, and leap year. It will require no correction until the year 2100.

To regulate the tempo of the minute repeater, which chimes the hours, quarters, and minutes on demand, the watchmakers at Vacheron Constantin developed a centripetal regulator. 

This silent system uses two centrifugal weights to brake the rotating axis and smooth the energy released by the repeater spring, ensuring precise and consistent striking intervals. 

The mechanism is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback and is held in place by an arc-shaped bridge crafted from 18-carat gold and polished entirely by hand. Engraved on the inertia weights below are the initials of Jean-Marc Vacheron, founder of the Maison in 1755.

The same level of craftsmanship is evident in the tourbillon bridges. These are rounded to highlight their curvature, tapered towards the screws, and finished by hand to a flawless polish. 

Other refined details include mirror-polished repeater hammers, bevelled and satin-finished bridges, circular satin-finished wheels, and Côtes de Genève stripes throughout the movement.

As with other models in the Overseas line, the titanium bracelet is fitted with a comfort adjustment system and can be exchanged without tools. Two additional straps are delivered with the watch, one in blue rubber and the other in blue alligator leather.

The price of the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Grand Complication Openface, ref. 6510V/110T-128C, is provided upon request. vacheron-constantin.com