What We Know
Vacheron Constantin has just introduced the Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points, a non-limited four-reference series of travel-ready Overseas in… titanium! Launched to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Overseas collection, these models draw inspiration from the titanium prototypes tested by explorer Cory Richards during his 2019 Everest ascent. This release marks a shift to a full titanium construction for the line, featuring an integrated titanium bracelet and a pair of quick-swapping straps. For those that, like me, have been thinking (whistfully) about the 2021 Everest and its scant 150-piece production run every five to ten minutes since September of 2021, clearly, we weren’t alone.
The “Cardinal Points” theme is expressed through four distinct dial colors, each representing a compass direction and corresponding landscape: white for the North (frozen regions), brown for the South (vast plains), green for the West (deep forests), and blue for the East (ocean and sky). Each dial features a complex arrangement of textures, including a grained center to minimize reflections, a snailed finish on the date counter, a circular satin-finished minutes track, and a lacquered outer seconds track. The hour markers and local time hands are 18K white gold with blue Super-LumiNova®, while the second time zone and day/night indicators are rendered in orange for high legibility.
The watches are powered by the Vacheron-made 5110 DT/3, a self-winding movement designed specifically for travel. It allows simultaneous reading of two time zones; an arrow-tipped orange hand indicates “home time,” linked to a day/night indicator at 9 o’clock, while local time can be adjusted via the crown.
The date subdial at 6 o’clock is synchronized with local time and can be adjusted through a dedicated pusher. The movement features a dark grey NAC treatment on the bridges and a 22K yellow gold oscillating weight decorated with a wind rose, all visible through a sapphire caseback. The standard movement used across other examples of the current Overseas Dual Time range (including those in steel and precious metals) is the 5110 DT/2, which operates at 4 Hz and has 60 hours of power reserve. For this latest, and most sporting iteration of the brand’s travel-ready overseas, the 5110 DT/3 represents a small evolution of the movement that includes NAC treatment for some of the bridges.
The Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points is not limited and will be available exclusively through Vacheron Constantin boutiques. Each watch is delivered with an integrated titanium bracelet featuring an “Easy-fit” adjustment system, alongside two additional rubber straps: one in orange and one matching the dial color. These straps and the titanium folding clasp can be swapped without any need for tools. Pricing comes in at $41,000 for your choice of any of the four iterations.
What We Think
Looking back at the Everest LE, the watch that has directly inspired this non-limited collection, it’s a watch that has remained in my short-term memory for five years. I’ve long been on record that, as a nerd for all kinds of tool watches, I love it when traditional high-end brands break sporty. Think Royal Oak Offshore Diver, Aquanaut 5164A, or the Alpine Eagle 8HF. And indeed, the new Cardinal Points Dual Time hits that mark in a way that is both recognizable (being a direct descendant of the Everest LE) and exciting. More colors, more options, the classic Overseas trio of mounts, including a full titanium bracelet (which was not offered for the LE). I’d say “Shut up and take my money”, but I ain’t got it like that. Like I said to open my story about the Everest LE, “Anyone know a good loan shark?”
However, even if you do find yourself in the market for a high-end luxury sports watch, the numbers are not inconsiderable for this new quartet of dual time VC. $41,000 for a titanium travel watch is nothing to understate, and it’s worth recalling that, in 2021, the 150-piece Everest LE sold for $31,300. In watch years, 2021 was a long time ago. It’s not exactly surprising that the price is up (~25%), but you do get a titanium bracelet that is finished to Vacheron’s standards, and I’d wager that these will be quite hard to buy for the next while.
Comparison shopping is not especially easy, as this is not a watch with a lot of direct competition. That said, it is a travel watch, and it’s a bit over $40k. A standard steel Overseas Dual Time sets the stage at $34,100. The GMT-Master II in yellow gold is $48,400 as of today. The closest thing Patek Philippe makes is the Nautilus 5990, and it’s considerably more expensive. AP, too, lists only a single “GMT” watch on their site currently, the Royal OPak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT. Not really apples-to-apples, seeing as that watch launched at CHF 198,900 back in 2022.
Let’s not forget options like the very cool (though less sporty) Parmigiani Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante, which in steel and platinum tips the scales at CHF 29,300 (~$37,000+). With an entirely different idea on display and the mechanism behind the travel function, it’s more of a price comp. Nevertheless, a very cool watch, albeit with lesser water resistance, less home/away function (no am/pm, no date), and you don’t get the extra straps.
So the Cardinal Points costs like a modern VC, but does so while offering a distinctive package, both within the brand’s own lineup and seated amongst the broad competition. While I may exist more in the Pelagos FXD range for my titanium travel needs, I absolutely love this addition. With it, I’m back in 2021, with a titanium travel watch from Vacheron Constantin offering some serious competition for watch release of the year.
Stay tuned for a hands-on and more.
The Basics
Brand: Vacheron Constantin
Model: Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points
Reference Number:
7930V/210T-H073 (Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points – North, white dial)
7930V/210T-H072 (Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points – South, brown dial)
7930V/210T-H074 (Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points – East, blue dial)
7930V/210T-H075 (Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points – West, green dial)
Diameter: 41mm
Thickness: 12mm
Case Material: Titanium (grade 5)
Dial Color: White, Green, Brown, or Blue
Indexes: 18k white gold applied
Lume: Blue Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 150 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Includes a titanium bracelet, rubber strap, and textile strap. Changable without tools, including an interchangable titanium folding clasp for the non-bracelet strap
The Movement
Caliber: Vacheron Constantin 5110 DT/3
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, second time zone, AM/PM indication (home time), date (synced with local time)
Diameter: 30.6mm
Thickness: 6mm
Power Reserve: 60 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Jewels: 37 jewels
Additional Details: 22K 3N gold Overseas oscillating weight
Pricing & Availability
Price: $41,000
Availability: Exclusive to Vacheron Constantin boutiques
For more, click here.
