VACHERON CONSTANTIN Overseas EVEREST Limited EDITIONs

“Because it is there.” God knows, we’ve had our fair share of adventures with one epic wristwatch or other headed 10,994m downwards into the Challenger Deep, the lowest point below sea level. Today, we’re heading in the opposite direction – 8,849m upwards to the highest point above sea level, the summit of the World’s highest mountain, Everest. Located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas, Mount Everest has claimed more 300 souls, an average of five per year over the past six decades. The first to conquer Everest were Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, making their ascent on May 29, 1953. There have been 4,000 successful summits since; one of those was American photographer and adventurer, Cory Richards, shown here in his natural element on the side of a mountain – and sporting the Everest of luxury sports wristwatches, the new Vacheron Overseas Everest, a new model from VC released in two magnificent Limited Editions; watches that Cory was fortunate enough to have lent a hand in the development of whilst in the field – so to speak. He summited Everest with a prototype (shown in the lifestyle pics at the bottom of post). The first of which is the Overseas Chronograph Everest, lightweight, versatile it is comes with the horological complication so often appreciated by sports and outdoorsmen by offering chronograph functions. Equally suited to the rigors of daily life as it is to adventure, the 150-piece Limited Edition comes with a 42.5mm case that features a contrasting combination of Titanium Grade 5 and Stainless steel. Meanwhile its harmonious dial composition ensures optimal legibility of the chronograph indications, particularly thanks to the bright orange color of its central chronograph hand. The next watch in this dynamic duo is the Overseas Dual Time lying at the intersection of performance and style, the watch is the ultimate travel companion. Providing all the functions that globetrotters and explorers find useful its design has been directly inspired by the prototype built to accompany Cory Richards on his latest Everest ascent. Like its chronograph companion piece, this exquisite timepiece has been issued in a 150-piece Limited Edition. Both watches are water-resistant down to 150m and boast anti-magnetic resistance. The new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph has a Swiss MSRP of 37'400CHF while the Overseas Dual Time is priced 31'600CHF. Thoughts? Once again, another fine wristwatch comes along, not a diver’s model admittedly but one that causes me to reevaluate my life. Firstly why I am stuck in front of a computer screen and not scaling a mountain, and what’s that on my wrist – a VC Overseas Everest? 

No, a bloody Fitbit! 

Bout’ time I put on a real watch and headed out into the wild, myself. But how about you; what would that mean for you? And what do you think of these Overseas Everest watches? 

Would you ever consider consolidating the collection to get something like this?