Vacheron Constantin Overseas 'Everest' Chronograph

The Holy Trinity of watch brands: Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin.

Far less understood than either of its respected compatriots, Vacheron Constantin has a legacy of producing some of the very finest high horology complications in history - and some of the loveliest.

Sports watches came later to VC, as pressure from the new 'Sports Luxury' category introduced in the early 1970s forced the storied brand to evolve. Their entry came in the form of the Reference 222, from which the design language was inspiration for the current Overseas collection. 

The Overseas models compete with other watches such as the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, IWC Ingenieur, and Piaget Polo in the category of 'freshest take on 1970s sport icons', and often finds itself winning its category in terms of design, value, and variety of complications.

This particular Overseas, however, a Reference 5510V, is no ordinary Overseas...

In 2019, photographer, mountaineer, and Vacheron ambassador Cory Richards was seen wearing what appeared to be a one-off Overseas Dual Time during an ascent of Mt. Everest. What later was revealed to be a prototype, this piece was constructed primarily out of titanium and incorporated a few other visible cues that this was like no other Overseas. This very piece later auctioned at Phillips here in New York for over $100,000.

This prototype had many in the watch world speculating about what this could mean for the range, Vacheron, and ultimately had collectors crossing their fingers for a production example. And in 2021, Vacheron Constantin officially announced that there would be 150 units of this piece produced to be sold. Awesome!

But it doesn't end there.... In additional to the 150 units of the Dual Time, Vacheron simultaneously released a chronograph variant of the 'Everest' — also limited to 150 units worldwide — which is what we have here.

Coming in with a 42.5mm case with a sapphire crystal, a signed screw-down crown, screw-down pushers, and a titanium 'Maltese'-style bezel, this piece features an awesome, textured 'grey/blue' dial (as Vacheron calls it) with applied luminous indices and recessed sub registers, a framed date window at 4:30, and a matching handset with orange chronograph hands.

This piece comes fitted to a signed 'grey/blue' Cordura strap with contrast orange stitching and a signed steel deployant clasp, and is powered by Vacheron's Calibre 5200/2 automatic winding chronograph movement wiuth a wildly cool 22k gold rotor with an engraving of Mt. Everest — thankfully visible via a sapphire exhibition caseback.

With an extremely low production run, a great story, and a functional design, this piece — for tool watch fans — might just be the pinnacle for all modern offerings.

And for everyone else, well, it's a robust and rare chronograph hailing from a brand with seemingly endless pedigree.

How can you loose?

Few watchmakers can claim a lineage as long or as rich as that of Vacheron Constantin.
Established in 1755, the manufacture soon had a reputation for the elegance of its products, which included pocket watches with complicated movements and engine-turned dials. Even today, these are marks of a watchmaker’s expertise due to the skill and precision involved in crafting them. For Vacheron Constantin to have achieved such a feat in the eighteenth century is nothing short of remarkable.
This expertise carried the firm through the 19th century, earning it gold medals at National Exhibitions and blazing trails in the area of anti-magnetic timepieces. The 20th century saw further achievements, such as the opening of its boutique on the Quai de L’Ile in Geneva, where it still resides today.

Even through the Depression and the Second World War, when many watch companies were forced to band together with competitors or else face closure, the manufacture continued to thrive. Whether via its vintage-inspired Historiques collection or its adventurous Overseas line, modern Vacheron Constantin is a horological force to be reckoned with.

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Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.