Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph Blue dial

Today we have the pleasure of presenting to your attention a representative of the so-called “Holy Trinity” in the art of watchmaking. And while Patek Philippe has the honor of being the prerogative of the most affluent and established admirers of this art, and Audemars Piguet is assigned the role of satisfying the pursuits and desires of the more sporty and “nonchalant” gentlemen and ladies, Vacheron Constantin is undoubtedly given the pleasure of satisfying the pursuits of that part of watch lovers who seek the different, the beautiful, and perfection in everything they own. We will not hide that for us, this brand is one of the most beloved, and we always approach every offer that comes to us with awe and hidden excitement. Audemars Piguet has its Royal Oak, Patek Philippe has its Nautilus, and at Vacheron Constantin, the honor of playing the role of the “sports player” in the collection falls precisely to the Overseas. And while a tremendous amount has been written about the first two, and all sorts of known and unknown connoisseurs, admirers, and mere “journalists” have practiced describing the models' histories and their merits, almost nothing has been written about this “saint,” and thus it remains overshadowed. Unlike the Royal Oak and Nautilus, Gerald Genta did not have a hand in the creation of this watch (What a surprise!), but the name of its creator is no less famous – it is Jorg Hysek, who created quite a few remarkable models from the end of the 20th Century. Before we do that, however, I want to draw your attention to the fact that this is a representative of the newest version of the model, first introduced in 2024. All models in the Overseas line have a fresh, hand-engraved dial - previous generations had distinct rhombus shapes on it, while this one returns to the classic look with a sunburst effect and is made of Laiton Générique CuZn. Also, around the edge of the crystal, there is a bezel in the form of brackets with the relief of the Maltese cross from the brand's logo. All of this is inspired by the remarkable progenitor of all Overseas - the Model 222. The other differences compared to the previous generation are very interesting - first, VC managed to create a case that is anti-magnetic and at the same time has a transparent case back; second, the bracelet now has a quick-change system that allows you to change the look of your watch without needing a visit to a watchmaker's workshop. The specific model is in the most sought-after version with a blue dial, and looking at it in person, it becomes clear why it is the one that generates such interest. The differences compared to the previous version are not many, but they are important: Case Thickness: The 5500V is known for its massive, muscular aesthetic with a thickness of 13.7 mm. Collectors often find it too large for a luxury sports watch. The newer 5520V thins the mid-case and bezel profile to 12.67 mm, helping it slide much more easily under a shirt cuff. Bracelet Ergonomics: The stainless steel bracelet of the 5520V features a more pronounced taper from the lugs down to the clasp. This prevents the wrist from feeling overloaded with steel. The patented “do-it-yourself” quick-release strap mechanism has also been slightly modified on the 5520V for a smoother click-and-release experience. Dial Depth: The subdials on the older 5500V feature distinctly beveled edges, giving the dial immense depth of shadow and light. On the 5520V, the dial is simplified – the beveling is minimized, creating a cleaner, more integrated, yet slightly flatter visual appearance. Case Profile: To achieve the slimmer 12.67 mm height, Vacheron Constantin slightly reduced the vertical profile of the iconic Maltese cross-inspired bezel. The bezel of the 5500V sits a bit higher, appearing slightly more aggressive or “masculine,” while the 5520V has the aura of a much more elegant timepiece. At the heart of the watch beats the automatic in-house masterpiece - Vacheron Constantin caliber 5200 – a latest-generation in-house brand caliber, a column-wheel chronograph produced with 54 jewels, operating at the familiar frequency of 28800 vibrations and with a power reserve of over 52 hours. The rotor is crafted from 22k gold – but do not think its purpose is merely artistic - no, the manufacturer pursued purely technical objectives, and gold was used for its specific gravity (it is for this very reason that it is in the relatively rare density of 22 karats).