[Vacheron Constantin] A thorough comparison of three generations of the Overseas!

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Vacheron Constantin is a long-established Swiss luxury watch brand with a long history of about 260 years, and is one of the world's three major watch brands. The flagship model, Overseas, became the center of attention in early 2022 when its price suddenly rose in the secondary market. Even today, when things have calmed down a bit, it remains highly popular as a representative luxury sports model (hereinafter referred to as LuxSports Model), along with Patek Philippe, Nautilus, Audemars Piguet, and Royal Oak.

This time, we will thoroughly compare the SS (stainless steel) models of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas (Ref. 42042, Ref. 47040, and Ref. 4500V) going back three generations! If you want to buy an Overseas but are unsure which model to buy, or if you want to know the history of the Overseas , this is a must-read, so please read to the end.

Introducing the three generations of Overseas

First, we will introduce the three models we will be comparing: Ref. 42042, Ref. 47040, and Ref. 4500V.

Two generations ago Ref.42042
Specifications
Case diameter 37mm Bezel SS
Dial Black or White or Blue or Pink Luminous Tritium
material SS bracelet SS
Waterproof 150m Drive system Automatic
Cal 1310 or 1311 Power reserve Approximately 50 hours

The first Overseas, Ref. 42042, was released in 1996, following on from the 222, which was released in 1977, the 333 and Phidias, which were released between 1980 and 1990. It features a bezel design featuring the brand's iconic Maltese cross, and is a relatively new luxury sports model. Compared to the Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, it has excellent waterproof performance and other high specs that come with being a later model.

Previous generation Ref.47040
Specifications
Case diameter 42mm Bezel SS
Dial Black or White or Blue or Grey Luminous Luminova
material SS bracelet SS
Waterproof 150m Drive system Automatic
Cal 1311 or 1126SC or 1226SC Power reserve Approximately 40 hours

The Overseas Ref. 47040 was manufactured from around 2004 to around 2016. Starting with this model, the bracelet also features a Maltese cross motif. The soft iron anti-magnetic structure provides anti-magnetic performance of 25,000A/m, and the specifications have been further improved.

Current model Ref.4500V
Specifications
Case diameter 41mm Bezel SS
Dial Black or Silver or Blue Luminous Luminova
material SS bracelet SS
Waterproof 50m Drive system Automatic
Cal 5100 Power reserve Approximately 60 hours

The third generation "Overseas" "Ref. 4500V" was released in 2016. The distinctive eight-leaf bezel design has been changed to six-leaf, and the new movement "Cal. 5100" has been installed, making it a major change in both design and function. The case back is also now see-through, which is a nice touch for watch fans.

Spec comparison between "Ref.42042" and "Ref.47040"

Let's start by comparing "Ref.42042" and "Ref.47040".
The main specifications are as follows:

Reference 42042
Reference 47040
37mm Case diameter 42mm
SS Bezel SS
Black or White or Blue or Pink Dial Black or White or Blue or Grey
Tritium Luminous Luminova
SS material SS
SS bracelet SS
150m Waterproof 150m
Automatic Drive system Automatic
Cal.1310 or Cal.1311 Cal Cal.1311 or Cal.1126SC or Cal.1226SC
Approximately 50 hours Power reserve Approximately 40 hours

❶【Case】

Case diameter

Reference 42042 37mm
Reference 47040 42mm
While the "Ref. 42042" had a relatively small case diameter of 37 mm, the "Ref. 47040" has increased in size to 42 mm. In addition, the soft iron inner case provides high magnetic resistance.

❷ [Bracelet/Buckle]

Bracelet Shape

Reference 42042 Rectangle
Reference 47040 Maltese cross motif shape
The "Ref. 42042" had a shape made up of a series of square links, but the "Ref. 47040" has been changed to a shape based on a Maltese cross motif, making it easier to fit in the hand and improving the wearing comfort.

Buckle Shape

Reference 42042 Double lock type
Reference 47040 Double push type
Instead of the double lock system used in the Ref. 42042, the Ref. 47040 has an opening and closing button and a double push system that makes it easier to put on and take off.

❸【Movement】

Movement

Reference 42042 Cal.1310 or Cal.1311
Reference 47040 Cal.1311 or Cal.1126SC or Cal.1226SC
The "Ref. 42042" uses two types of movements, the "Cal. 1310", which is based on the Girard-Perregaux movement "Cal. 3100", and the "Cal. 1311", an improved version of that, while the "Ref. 47040" uses the "Cal. 1126SC" and "Cal. 1226SC", which are based on the "Cal. 889" made by Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Spec comparison between "Ref.47040" and "Ref.4500V"

Next, let's compare the "Ref.47040" and "Ref.4500V".
The main specifications are as follows:

Reference 47040
Reference 4500V
42mm Case diameter 41mm
SS Bezel SS
Black or White or Blue or Grey Dial Black or Silver or Blue
Luminova Luminous Luminova
SS material SS
SS bracelet SS
150m Waterproof 150m
Automatic Drive system Automatic
Cal.1311 or Cal.1126SC or 1226SC Cal Cal.5100
Approximately 40 hours Power reserve Approximately 60 hours

❶【Case/Bezel】

Case diameter

Reference 47040 42mm
Reference 4500V 41mm
The "Ref. 47040" has been increased in size to 42mm, but the "Ref. 4500V" has been reduced in size by 1mm. Although it is only a 1mm change, the case sides that extend to the lugs are now rounded, making the watch more comfortable to wear.

Case back

Reference 47040 Closed Back
Reference 4500V See-through case back
Up until the "Ref. 47040", the back cover was a closed back and was engraved with an image of the three-masted sailing ship "Amerigo Vespucci", but the "Ref. 4500V" has been changed to a see-through back, allowing the viewer to see the movement "Cal. 5100" with a 22K gold rotor.

Bezel Design

Reference 47040 8 leaves
Reference 4500V 6 leaves
Up until the "Ref. 47040", the bezel had eight designs symbolizing the Maltese cross, but the "Ref. 4500V" has been changed to six, giving it a softer impression.

❷【Bracelet】

How to put on and take off the belt

Reference 47040 Special tools required
Reference 4500V Easy to replace with one touch
The "Ref. 47040" required a special tool to change the strap, but the "Ref. 4500V" features an "interchangeable structure" that allows it to be attached and detached with a single touch, so you can easily switch between the included leather strap and rubber strap.

❸【Movement】

Movement

Reference 47040 Cal.1311 or Cal.1126SC or Cal.1226SC
Reference 4500V Cal.5100
The movements installed in the models up to the Ref. 47040 were based on movements made by other companies such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and Girard-Perregaux, but the Ref. 4500V is equipped with the in-house developed movement, Cal. 5100, and by installing two barrels, it achieves a power reserve of approximately 60 hours.

summary

What did you think?

This time, we compared three generations of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas , and we hope that you can see how it has evolved over the years.

Each Overseas model has its own unique charm: the small and elegant Ref. 42042, the larger and more impactful Ref. 47040, and the more modern and masculine Ref. 4500V.

Please come and find your favorite model.

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