GMT ! GMT ! & More GMT Watches !
Little was written about this prestigious watch maker
Vacheron Constantin - The origins of Vacheron Constantin watches go back to 1755, when Jean-Marc Vacheron quickly climbed the ranks amongst Geneva's elite. Vacheron Constantin has built a highly respected reputation as one of the great triumvirate of age-old Swiss manufacturers of Haute Horlogerie, alongside the greats Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe. Vacheron Constantin watches are a picture of expertly mastered technique, imaginative aesthetics and the finest handcrafted design. By combining century-old tradition with the latest in horological innovation, Vacheron Constantin continues to produce some of the worlds most complicated and exceptional timepieces.
Streamlined profile, crisply legible dial face, steel case exceptionally well designed and built, hardened sapphire crystal, anti-magnetic ,bracelet with triple-safety clasp-the essential features of a true outperformer, providing enduring sturdiness and reliability on the wrist. With dual timezone display, power reserve indicator and day night indication.
The 1222 calibre has a power reserved of 40 hrs ( not much to boost about compare to rolex 3185) but it is a refine movement more will be written later....................
However the dial lay out of the watch is similar to AP's royal oak dual timezone !
SO WHO COPIED WHOSE DESIGN ?????
Traveling between continents and being continuously on the move are an accepted part of everyday life for today’s average professional, as is the ability to juggle time zones and to keep track of contacts wherever they are in the world. This is why the distinctive look, technical functions and attributes of the Overseas’ Dual Time compliment both its sporty heritage and the needs of the modern traveler. Driven by Vacheron Constantin’s self-winding caliber 1222 – beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour – it offers, in addition to hour, minute and center seconds - the possibility of easily reading off a second time zone from a 12-hour subdial situated at 6 o’clock, with a smaller complementary 24-hour indicator, positioned alongside it, easily distinguished by its hand sweeping over the day and night zones. The second time zone is adjusted very simply by means of the winding and time-setting crown, the whole is complimented by a date subdial and a sweeping 40-hour power reserve indicator. The typical Overseas indexes and baton hands are coated with a luminescent substance for optimum legibility at all times.
Faithful to its sporting heritage, the Overseas Dual Time case weds dependable sturdiness to understated elegance and its discreetly large 42mm diameter makes for perfect readability of all its functions. Its bezel, featuring a Maltese cross pattern – Vacheron Constantin’s long-standing symbol – and case back are screwed tightly to the frame, compressing numerous water-resisting gaskets so as to provide the most effective protection against moisture and minute particles of foreign matter. This constructional approach provides full water resistance to 150 meters (approx. 500 feet). Screw-locked setting crowns and chronograph pushpieces complete the watches’ external protection systems. Following the long observed tradition, the case’s screw-secured back bears the collection emblem – a sailing ship carved directly into the metal.
Inside the case, its caliber 1222 movement benefits from equally efficient protection. Every Overseas movement is totally shielded by a soft-iron antimagnetic screen, to protect the precious movement and prevent the innumerable magnetic fields, which threaten modern precision instruments, from affecting the movement’s rate and accuracy.
Totally designed for ergonomic excellence, the Overseas Dual Time bracelet provides unprecedented suppleness and comfort on the wrist. Easy to adjust, it benefits from a three-ply invisible clasp with twin safety catch. The exclusive Vacheron Constantin demi-Maltese Cross configuration of its links and its meticulous alternately gloss- and satin-polished finish give the bracelet its arresting good looks.
The 1222 calibre has a power reserved of 40 hrs ( not much to boost about compare to rolex 3185) but it is a refine movement more will be written later....................
However the dial lay out of the watch is similar to AP's royal oak dual timezone !
SO WHO COPIED WHOSE DESIGN ?????
Anyway these are my conclusion & finding after owning both pieces after 1 & a half year (if u r reading this is the part to take note so get your paper & pen brothers & write these down)
Firstly one thing is for sure i actually prefer the VC design as setting time is much easier with the sweeping second hand not found in the AP
Two the 150 m water resistance is much better than AP's 50m (screw down crown & screw back case very safe ! ) AP wash hand also worry ! When u travel sometimes i go swimming or gym in the hotel or even shower with watch on so this feature is important in a two timezone piece especially when u pay so much u tend to critic & demand more !
Three the AP glossy finish is a scratch magnet ! matte is much prefered ! but AP's bracelet is nice ! should be permanently place in a show case may be...................
Four the 3-ply stainless steel with twin safety-catch pushpieces is much more solid compare to AP's butterfly clasp.
Five the caliber 1222 selfwinding mechanical, is entirely protected by a soft-iron antimagnetic screen not found on the AP.
Six the AP retail is slightly higher than the VC but the resale of AP is slightly higher.(The only strength of AP)
Seven the quick set date fuction at 2 o'clock is cool & easy to use when i fly ! AP are u listening ???
So by now you can see that i actually prefer the VC alot better than the AP
Just stick to AP Offshore & their jumbo 15300 as they r safer & practical investments (but must buy pre-owned off course! )
