Discover the origins of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas name

Everything has a name, and each name has a meaning and a reason for being named. So, what is the origin of the name of that famous watch? In this column, we will explore the secrets behind the names of watches and introduce them along with their anecdotes.
This time, we will explore the origin of the name of the Vacheron Constantin "Overseas," which is said to have its roots in the "222," which was born in 1977.

Vacheron Constantin Overseas

　The Vacheron Constantin Overseas is a big seller, primarily because it's a luxury sports watch.

　And one more thing that makes it even more appealing to watch enthusiasts is that the ancestor of the Overseas is the 222.

　The luxury sports watch genre was born in the 1970s, with the launch of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in 1972 and the Patek Philippe Nautilus in 1976.

The "222" is also considered the origin of luxury sports watches. It was born in 1977. The name "222" comes from the fact that it was a model commemorating the 222nd anniversary of Vacheron Constantin's founding.

　The relationship between these three models, the 222, the Royal Oak, and the Nautilus, is interesting.

　First of all, the designs are similar. Both the Royal Oak and the Nautilus were designed by Gérald Genta. Therefore, it is only natural that the two models are similar. The 222, on the other hand, was designed by Jorg Hysek. However, the 222 is also very similar to the Royal Oak and the Nautilus.

　For this reason, the "222" was also thought to be a Gerald Genta design. The two-piece structure is exactly the same, with the movement mounted on the front of the case integrated with the back cover and closed with a bezel. The technique of combining a thin case with a thick bezel to create a three-dimensional look is also exactly the same.

　All three models were equipped with the exact same movement: the "Cal. 920" developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1967, which Audemars Piguet named "Cal. 2121," Vacheron Constantin named "Cal. 1120," and Patek Philippe, which used a modified version supplied with parts and named it "Cal. 28-255C."

　In other words, the 222, Royal Oak, and Nautilus all share the same design and movement, making them like siblings.

　And that's what watch enthusiasts will be happy about. When you see the Overseas, Royal Oak, and Nautilus, all of which are descendants of the 222, lined up side by side, it brings a smile to your face. It's a secret pleasure for watch enthusiasts.

　However, there is one big question: is the ancestor of the Overseas really the 222?

　The current Overseas is the third generation, released in 2016. The first generation was released in 1996, and that first generation resembles the Phidias more than the 222.

The successor to the 222 was the 333, released in 1984, and the successor to that was the Phidias, released in 1989. The 333 retains the hexagonal central link design of the bracelet, a feature of the 222.

　However, the Phidias featured a striking design with a square central link of the bracelet that was recessed in the middle, and the first generation Overseas retained the Phidias bracelet design almost exactly.

　Therefore, the Overseas has evolved in a very natural way, from 222 to 333 to Phidias. I don't think it's right to say that the ancestor of the Overseas is 222.

　And indeed, when the second generation of the Overseas arrived in 2004, the bracelet became a one-piece with a Maltese cross in the middle, a design that no longer resembled the Phidias. It was a pure evolution.

　So does that mean the Overseas has absolutely no connection to the 222? Not really.

　The bezel, featuring a Maltese cross motif, a major feature from the first generation, is clearly a design inherited from the "222." The aforementioned technique of combining a thin case with a thick bezel to create a three-dimensional effect was also directly inherited from the "222," and was not adopted by the "333" or "Phidias." Furthermore, the disc under the bezel, added in the third generation, is a direct continuation of the "222" design.

　So, does this mean that the Overseas is descended from the 222? Ultimately, it's unclear. Perhaps the author's research is insufficient, or perhaps it's simply not clear at all.

　In fact, upon further investigation, there are records of statements such as "We have no intention of making the Overseas a sports watch like the Royal Oak." There is also a statement that it is "a sporty watch, not a sports watch." However, it was none other than Vacheron Constantin who brought up the "222." In a press release announcing the third generation, it was stated that the "222" "inspired" the development of the "Overseas."

　So we really don't know. Perhaps even Vacheron Constantin itself doesn't know.

　But one thing is certain: the name "Overseas."

"Overseas" literally means "across the sea." In other words, Vacheron Constantin developed this model as a "travel watch." This is evidenced by the sailing ship design on the case back of the first and second generations, and the compass design engraved on the automatic rotor of the third-generation model, which now features a see-through case back.

　That's why it's "a sporty watch, not a sports watch." In other words, the truth about Vacheron Constantin is that "the Overseas is not a luxury sports watch."

　However, that's not very important.

　For example, it is not the author of a novel, piece of music, or film who decides its reputation, but rather the readers, listeners, or audience who receive it. Even if an author intends to write pure literature, if it is enjoyed as a comedy, it is a comedy. Even if an author intends to sing rock, if it is enjoyed as enka, it is enka.

　In the same way, regardless of Vacheron Constantin, the Overseas is a luxury sports watch if that's what watch enthusiasts think.

　I also think the Overseas is a fantastic luxury sports watch. So I want to celebrate its current popularity. And if possible, I would like to own one. As an avid fan of luxury sports watches, I truly believe this.

Yutaka Fukuda
Writer and editor. Writes about men's lifestyles in general for publications such as "LEON" and "MADURO." He also writes about watches in a series of articles and appears in many videos for the web magazine "FORZA STYLE."