Review: Vacheron Constantin Overseas 4500V/110A-B483
An elegant and versatile luxury sports watch gaining greater popularity
I pulled the trigger on the Vacheron Constantin Overseas self-winding, 3-hand model in black dial (ref: 4500V/110A-B483) during the 4th of July holiday 2019. The AD didn’t have the more popular blue dial version and was not sure when he might get one. He offered me a great discount on the black dial (a more recent 2018 release actually) and I took it. One and half years later, I’m still in love with this timepiece while the demand for it has further increased. Due to a weird luxury watch boom in 2020, this Overseas timepiece is trading above retail in the secondary market.
For this review, I will first discuss the watch’s two drawbacks to me as an owner. The first is that it doesn’t hack (stopping the second hand when the crown is being pulled out to set the time). I understand the key reason for not having the hacking function, which is to protect the escapement. However, many top watchmakers such as Lange and Patek (for some recent models like 5212A) are offering the hacking function. On the Overseas dial, the time may be measured in 0.2 seconds, with one minute being divided into 5 segments in the outermost ring. However, if the second hand doesn’t hack, what is the use for having the tool-like precision timing markers?
The second complaint is that the top case surface looks like a scratch magnet with a lot of minor scratches after some time of wear. This may be inevitable due to the highly polished surface though. The good thing for my watch is that the crystal surface is absolutely scratch free so far.
With the two issues out of the way, the remaining are all great things to report. The Overseas three-hand model does hold up to the extremely high standards of “Holy Trinity”. I will summarize all the positive features I enjoy below (in random order).
Accurate timing: +1.8 seconds per day, measured over 27 days in daily wear by myself
A beautiful integrated case and bracelet design highlighting the Maltese Cross motif (so clever)
A stunning in-house movement with a 22k gold roter
Exceptional finishing certified by Geneva Seal for both movement and case
60 hour power reserve (67 hours by my own tests)
150m water-proof: a truly sports watch
Three bracelets with easy interchangeable mechanism: stainless steel, leather, and rubber (quick release with in seconds)
41mm case size: in the sweet spot
Easy extension for the stainless steel bracelet
The movement may be viewed and photographed conveniently with the bracelet removed easily
The list may go on and on. The 3rd generation Overseas three-hand automatic is indeed a very well-made timepiece. However, for a period of time, this model is often considered an underdog among the luxury sports watches offered from the “Holy Trinity”. In recent years, the luxury sports watch space is getting more crowded with offerings from both well-established brands such as Lange and Chopard, and independent brands such as H. Moser and Czapek. Surprisingly, the VC Overseas line is emerging as a top choice among this crowded field. This fact may be shown in the steadily rising market prices for the Overseas models. As we may see in the charts below, the Overseas self-winding model in blue (unworn) may fetch a price that is 32% over retail, while the black dial version (unworn) is about 10% over retail.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. But it is sweet that the value is also recognized by the market collectively. It was so nice to just walk in an AD and walk out with the watch satisfied by its beauty and virtues. After a few years, you still love the watch, and the pre-own value has gone up by 20-30%. Isn’t it wonderful if all watch collecting is like this?
Additional information and reviews:
Official product page
WatchBase product page
Review by Monochrome (video interview with VC’s Selmoni)
Video review by YoureTerrific
Video review by IDGuy
Video review by Hafiz Mehmood
Video review by Bruce Williams
Please check out my most read article so far: “Which Brands Might Be The Next F.P. Journe - 2022 Edition"