ON TOP OF THE WORLD

More at home in urban environments, Vacheron Constantin is now turning its hand to expedition. Planet Earth now serves as a test laboratory for the design of future watches.

For many experienced climbers, ascending Everest remains their biggest challenge. For Cory Richards, the Himalayas are not terra incognita . He has already conquered them twice, including once without oxygen, and set himself the target of climbing them again via an extremely difficult route, the north-east Tibetan ridge. To accompany the National Geographic photographer and explorer, Vacheron Constantin created a watch tailored exactly to his requirements. This collaboration gave rise to the Overseas Dual Time prototype. The 41?mm case made of sturdy and light titanium, has a reinforcement made of tantalum, a hard metal, integrated beneath the bezel. The crown protection is reinforced by two titanium guards. A soft iron case ensures the piece is resistant to magnetic fields. The watch comes with a strap made of a gray blue technical Ventile fabric. This material stands out for its density along with its exceptional waterproofness.

The time information is completed with an am/pm indicator and a date synchronized to the local time located in a dial at 6 oclock. Everything is powered by the 5110 DT caliber. This self-winding movement certified by the Geneva Seal can be seen through the sapphire case back, revealing, among other things, the gold oscillating weight combining a wind rose and an engraving of Everest.

Although Cory Richards did not complete his attempt, the adventure certainly proved beneficial to the brand. There is a strong possibility these technical elements will be used in a future variation of its Overseas Dual Time model currently sold in steel or rose gold.

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By Dan Diaconu