Representing the wonderfully proportional 35mm first-generation Overseas, this 42052 features a silky smooth sunburst salmon dial. Arguably one of the most affectionately collected dial colours, this sophisticated pink colour shimmers in bright light and plays with dark shadows endlessly. Its appeal is only further emphasised by the piece's confident and aggressive industrial exterior.
This neo-vintage sports watch's overall tone is greatly defined by its exterior design, specifically its bracelet and bezel. With both a brushed and polished finish from its centre link to its edge, the bracelet of this Overseas is refined, individually styled, and overwhelmingly comfortable. Its polished sides transition effortlessly into the tonneau-shaped case of the watch, with sharp brushing on the top side, acting as a canvas if you will for the highly polished notched bezel. With a design reminiscent of the emblem of Vacheron, the Maltese cross, the bezel is mirrored visually with its subtle crown guards protruding from the right-hand side of its 35mm width case body. 7mm is its case height, and its incredibly slender profile is aided by its solid screwed caseback, once more featuring the Maltese cross-esque design alongside a relief depiction of the Italian naval ship, the Amerigo Vespucci.
Returning to the face of the watch and perhaps the most appealing aspect of this timepiece - its pink, almost copper salmon dial. To create yet additional lust, Vacheron embellished the dial with applied white gold pointed baton markers paired with subtle plots of lume around the periphery. These indexes are only broken twice, once at the twelve o'clock position in favour of the Maltese cross and once more at three o'clock for the elegantly framed date aperture. The hands are also presented in white gold and come with lume towards the end of their baton shape, with the elongated sweeping seconds hand carrying a sizeable rectangular counterbalance. The typography of the dial signifies its powered by an automatic calibre that is chronometer grade, with its Vacheron Constantin signature sitting within a vaulted arc at twelve.
Function, form, and individuality, this early Overseas has a unique sporty yet undeniably chic appearance, further accentuated by the rarity of its salmon dial and the overall top-class condition.
The Movement
Beating away behind the whimsical caseback of this 42052 is the calibre 1126/1, by Vacheron Constantin. This 36 jewels automatic movement features a mono-metallic balance and a 21k gold-edged rotor. As the dial denotes, this movement is also chronometer grade.
How It Wears
Although its 35mm diameter may sound on the petite side, thanks to its tonneau case shape, sizeable lug-to-lug measurement, and visual impact of its notched bezel, the Overseas 42052 is effective in wearing larger than its measurements suggest. Furthermore, its beautifully slender profile is achieved thanks to its 7mm thickness, ensuring the piece hugs the wrist it's fitted to. With the refinement and class of Vacheron's prowess, fused with the dynamic and rugged handsomeness of its execution, this first generation Overseas is one not to be missed. If there ever were a watch with future classic potential, it would have to be this 42052.
Condition
This Vacheron Constantin Overseas 42052/423A is presented as a complete full set, including its outer box, inner box, international warranty, instruction manual, Vacheron Constantin history book, and an envelope for all the relevant documentation. The piece is presented in unworn, like-new condition.
Origin
The 1970s was an era powered by innovation. In the world of horology, the luxury watch was redefined by the inauguration of the luxury sports watch. Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin were the driving forces of this new wave of luxury steel watches featuring integrated bracelets, with each Maison releasing their own reference in such order. The Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet paved the way, and in 1977, just one year after the Patek Nautilus, Vacheron celebrated the company's 222nd anniversary with their creation, the Vacheron Constantin 222. While the Royal Oak and the Nautilus continued to bring much success to their respective brands, Vacheron's integrated bracelet path was a little bumpier until the Overseas was announced in 1996.
Bearing the notched bezel and integrated bracelet aesthetic from the 222, the Overseas offered a raw yet luxurious design, with the first series of Overseas lasting until 2004 with a further three generations coming to fruition to date. Initially, the Overseas was imagined with a width of 37mm. The 35mm, and 24mm option were introduced not too long behind, ensuring the timepiece could be enjoyed by a wide array of people and collectors very quickly. The Vacheron Overseas' popularity continues to flourish today, subsequently growing the interest in the earliest examples. While many collectors look towards the 222 as the ancestral root of the Overseas, thanks to its neo-vintage charisma and its actual first use of the series name, the first generation Overseas is the true original. Thanks to their own influential desirability and appeal, these models remain pragmatic wearers for the 21st-century wrist and effectively communicate their meaningful foundations.
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