Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 6000V/110A-B544
On request
Message on WhatsAppThe traveller: three straps that change by hand in seconds, and a soft iron cage against magnetism.
Vacheron Constantin reference 6000V/110A-B544, 42.5mm in stainless steel.
The reference in depth
The third generation Overseas arrived in 2016 with a redrawn case, a softer bezel and the tool free strap change system. Three years later Vacheron put a tourbillon into it, in steel, with a blue dial, which was not the obvious commercial move at the time.
Calibre 2160 had already appeared in the Traditionnelle and Fiftysix families, an ultra thin automatic tourbillon using a peripheral winding rotor so the movement could stay slim and still be seen. Dropping it into a 42.5mm steel sports case with 50 metres of water resistance and an interchangeable bracelet put it in a different category. At launch it was the only Vacheron tourbillon offered in steel, and the only one built for daily wear.
Calibre 2160 runs at 2.5Hz through a one minute tourbillon whose carriage is shaped as a Maltese cross, and gives 80 hours of power reserve. The winding weight runs on the periphery in 22 carat gold, which keeps the movement to 5.65mm and leaves the bridges unobstructed through the back. It carries the Hallmark of Geneva, so the finishing is certified in the cased watch rather than the loose movement.
42.5mm sounds large and the case is wide, but it is barely over 10mm tall and the lugs turn down hard, so it sits closer than the number suggests. The bracelet swaps to blue rubber or blue alligator without tools, which is most of the argument for the watch. There is no date, so nothing to set beyond the time.
Is 42.5mm too large for an Overseas?
It is bigger than the time and date models at 41mm, but the height is just over 10mm and the lugs curve down sharply. On the wrist it reads smaller than 42.5mm cases usually do.
Can it be worn in water?
It is rated to 50 metres, which covers rain and splashes. It is not a dive watch and it is not the watch to swim in; keep the gaskets current and stay out of pressure and hot water.
Does the reference come with all three straps?
As sold, the reference was delivered with the steel bracelet plus blue rubber and blue alligator, with the quick change system. What any given example still has with it is a question for the shop, in person.
The collection
The travel and sports line, notched bezel and straps that change without tools
Overseas launched in 1996 as Vacheron Constantin's travel and sports line, following the 222 that Jorg Hysek designed for the house in 1977. The bezel is the tell, notched after the arms of the Maltese cross, six notches on the current generation where earlier ones had eight. Time and date, dual time and chronograph models are rated to 150 m and come with a bracelet and two straps that change without tools, a system introduced with the 2016 generation and absent from the earlier 42 mm references. The family runs from time and date through dual time and chronograph to world time, moon phase and tourbillon models.
34.5 mm to 42.5 mm, with the 2004 generation men's models at 42 mm
For the buyer who wants one watch that covers travel, work and weekends, and who will actually use the strap change rather than leave it on the bracelet.
