I still remember that day. November 28, 2018. Australian summer was just around the corner. I noticed a spring in my step as I made my way from the Crown car park to Monards, one of the most prestigious watch dealers in Melbourne. It was finally time to try on one of my grail watches, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas 4500V.

As a watch guy, you do your research. You learn everything there is to know about the watch you want. Read every article, watch every YouTube video, listen to every podcast. You know the watch inside and out. The dimensions, the movement specs, the history. I still wasn’t prepared for what I felt that day. As soon as I put it on my wrist, I was hooked. I could not believe how extraordinarily beautiful this watch was in the flesh. The integrated bracelet. The Maltese cross bezel. And then the dial. My god, the dial. From almost black to a neon blue within seconds, depending on the light. I needed to have it. So, I started saving up.

Fast forward to late 2019. I could not help but notice that the Overseas gained some traction within the watch community. With all the hype surrounding the other holy trinity stainless steel sports watches, more and more people seemed to go after the same watch I wanted. My original plan was to buy the watch in 2020, but I felt the urge to act sooner. What if there’s a wait list? What if there’s a price increase? I put in an order and received my watch in early December last year. For the first time since I started buying watches, I felt that my collection was complete.

To me, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas is the perfect watch. Let’s take a quick look at the specs. It’s a 41mm case, but the integrated bracelet makes it feel a bit larger. The Geneva seal calibre 5100 movement inside beats away at 28.800 bph and boasts a 60hr power reserve. Lots of firsts for VC for the third generation of the Overseas: first time they’re using an in-house calibre, first time they’re using a Geneva seal calibre and first time there’s a display case back on an Overseas. The engraved, 22k solid gold rotor is a joy to look at. 150m water resistance means that you can easily swim with this watch. It’s also highly anti-magnetic.

But let’s talk a little bit about the dial. It seems to be a black polished metal base that’s been coated with a layer of translucent blue lacquer. The depth of this dial is unlike anything I’ve ever seen and almost feels like enamel. Many have described it as being similar to FP Journe’s Chronometre bleu. The attention to detail is second to none. The bracelet is polished in places you’ll never be able to see. There’s a quick adjustment in the bracelet that you can use without taking the watch off. Every single bracelet link is removable with a screw. Take note, Patek.

The one feature I always like to show off to fellow watch enthusiasts is the quick release lug system. You can change from the bracelet to the included rubber or leather strap within seconds and without the need for a tool. Just your fingernail will do. It’s an ingenious system and I wish more manufacturers would adopt it. While I think that the watch still looks best on the bracelet, I’ve worn it through the hot and humid Australian summer on the rubber strap which is extremely supple and comfortable. The leather strap is perfect for more formal occasions. Oh, you also get a separate deployant clasp. Vacheron really thought of everything.

6 months after purchasing this stunner of a watch, I’m happy to report that I still love it and wear it all the time. Yes, the bezel is already pretty scratched up and it lost some of the shine it had when it was new. But every time I look down at my wrist and see my VC, I know I made the right call.

The Nautilus might be more desirable. The Royal Oak is more iconic. But as far as holy trinity sports watches go, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas 4500V is the one for me.