While we saw Vacheron Constantin finally re-release the legendary 222 this year, the Overseas line has proudly and firmly kept Vacheron on top of the luxury sports watch category.

The luxury sporty Overseas was first introduced by Vacheron Constantin in 1996. That it was inspired by the 222 is crystal clear but this time around it was not Jorg Hysek. Dino Model is the name, after he designed the Phidias earlier on. It also featured a thin barrel shape case, scalloped screw-down bezel, a sturdy integrated bracelet, as well as proper water resistance grading. Nevertheless, the Overseas took the luxury sports watch in a decidedly modern direction. While the 222 was fine and elegant, the Overseas was much more confident due its more slab-like case with oversized crown, a much more pronounced bezel, and chunky bracelet.

This ref. 42042 is an early execution of the Overseas, first Gen. Dating back to 1999, it comes from the second run released by Vacheron. The watch features an 37 mm 18K yellow gold case with a fantastic chunky brick-style bracelet with an ingenious locking mechanism to ensure you’ll never lose the watch when wearing it. The solid gold caseback, meanwhile, sports an engraved depiction of Amerigo Vespucci’s three-masted ship, whom the American continent was named after.

The white dial features beautiful guilloché engraving, applied 18K yellow gold pointed baton markers, and a lovely framed date window at three o’clock. The company’s signature is printed on an arched cartouche right underneath its applied 18K Maltese cross logo.

This beauty is in excellent condition and has been serviced by Vacheron Constanin in recent years. The watch comes with the corresponding service papers as well as an extract of the Vacheron Constantin archives.