VC Overseas?

[Walter Sobchak]

I'm looking at getting one of these, it will be my first luxury watch well except for the brief ownership on a Submariner a few Years ago.
Ideally I'd like a Chronograph but won't be buying new so will have to wait for one to pop up on the used market.
The main thing I wanted to ask is should I go for one?, someone else advised me to go for an AP Royal Oak which don't get me wrong is a lovely watch but firstly they seem more expensive and secondly I don't like the look of them as much as the VC.
I'd be looking at going for one with a metal strap and the white dial.

[yeti]

They are very nice watches - relatively slow beat rate of the movement which isn't great for ultimate accuracy on a chrono but is the same movement as Gouldy's new VC Royal Eagle, the F185.

Cases changed a few years back from 40mm to 42mm and the 42mm commands a significant premium. The dial has lovely tapisserie work and the bracelet went from being quite ordinary to something very special with the Maltese Cross logo of VC throughout the shape of it. You're looking at the difference between 5 grand and 7 grand though.

If you don't like the AP as much, don't buy it. It's ultimately a 'better' watch probably, but that's not why we buy watches (or cars). Simple

[gregf40]

VC Overseas is a lovely watch. Just make sure you get it for a good price as you will get stung on resale otherwise.

[Walter Sobchak]

I'd have to go for the later 42mm one, my top budget would be £8k which seems about right if one comes up?, no way I'd buy one new.

It's not that I don't like AP, they're lovely watches as well, and as you say they're probably better, just aesthetically I love the look of the Overseas and it had the appeal, to me anyway of there not being so many of them around as the Royal Oaks.

Edited by Walter Sobchak on Thursday 7th August 14:27

[michael gould]

i would also like a VC overseas, but I prefer the smaller/older model. Great watches and plenty on chrono 24

[PJ S]

Walter Sobchak said:

I'd have to go for the later 42mm one, my top budget would be £8k which seems about right if one comes up?, no way I'd buy one new.

https://www.chrono24.com/en/vacheronconstantin/ove...

Edited by PJ S on Thursday 7th August 23:03

[westberks]

Very nice looking and an interesting alternative to a Daytona or similar, been thinking of chopping my SSD and looking at these or APRO to introduce something different to my collection. Also the 42 appeals in size as the Daytona does feel a tad dainty these days.

[michael gould]

overseas duel time is also a handsome watch

[bobbybee]

Owned both a VC Overseas Chrono and AP Royal Oak Chrono, both S/H, both 39/40 mm both SS with white face. Yes AP commands a premium, but I found it difficult to tell where the 'extra' goes TBH.
The VC also has much better finishing on the movement than AP or even PP, shame it's hidden!

[Walter Sobchak]

bobbybee said:

Owned both a VC Overseas Chrono and AP Royal Oak Chrono, both S/H, both 39/40 mm both SS with white face. Yes AP commands a premium, but I found it difficult to tell where the 'extra' goes TBH.
The VC also has much better finishing on the movement than AP or even PP, shame it's hidden!

Out of interest which did you prefer?, from what I've read the only gripe people have with the VC Overseas is that it doesn't use an in house movement, yet the one it does use is very good so it isn't a major concern to me.

[sparkyhx]

don't want to put you off your choice but these are quite special as well.

http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/glashutte_origi...

[Walter Sobchak]

One other thing I wanted to ask, apparantly the VC Overseas Chrono doesn't use an in house movement, is the one it uses well regarded enough?.
Also are the new AP Royal Oak Chronos in house?.

[yeti]

Walter Sobchak said:

One other thing I wanted to ask, apparantly the VC Overseas Chrono doesn't use an in house movement, is the one it uses well regarded enough?.
Also are the new AP Royal Oak Chronos in house?.

They use an F. Piguet slimline chronograph movement, found in many high end chronos and now an 'in-house' Blancpain movement. Yes it's a fantastic movement.

Unless things have changed recently, the AP Royal Oak chrono still uses the same Piguet as the VC Overseas and the Blancpain chronos. AP have a wonderful base 3 hand calibre, the 3120 but they use chronogaph modules in the Offshore (hence the strange date window). The standard RO case is too slim to support a modular chrono movement so they are still using the F. Piguet/Blacnpain chrono (1185 or thereabouts).

Don't get too hung up on in-house, it's a recent concept of desirablility. From the holy trinity (AP, VC, PP), anything they use is beautifully finished, regulated, decorated and refined. If you want a real in-house chrono, Zenith EP, Rolex 4130 and some ALS and Pateks will do it for you There are surprisingly few of them...

[Walter Sobchak]

Thanks, so the AP RO Offshore is in house but the normal RO uses the same movement as the VC?.
I did try one on yesterday and it's a beautiful watch, my mind is made up.
One thing I've noticed is how few of them are for sale compared to the APs.

I respect Patek immensely for their craftsmanship but none of their models appeal to me at the moment plus they're eye wateringly expensive, their watches seem to appeal to a slightly older clientele- I'm in my early 30s, I want to own one at some point, just at the moment nothing appeals as much as the VC Overseas or AP RO Offshore, my mind is made up on liking the Overseas the best out of those two as well, it's a bit of a left field choice compared to the AP I suppose but I like the look of it best, especially that strap.