Encircling the dial of the pink gold model, a minutes track is marked in blue – a subtle punctuation in the chic tone-on-tone aesthetic of the case, bracelet, sunburst satin-finished dial and matching pink gold moon-phase display. For a more casual and sporty allure, a textured rubber strap in blue or white can be interchanged with the gold bracelet. The cool tone of the white gold case creates a rich contrast with the burgundy lacquer dial, which is matched by a burgundy moon-phase disc; further contrast provided by white numerals and indexes. In a choice of burgundy and white, the two rubber straps that can be interchanged with the 18K white gold bracelet give the option of a richer palette matching the dial or a cooler palette harmonising with the case and numerals. Refined style is complemented by the technical sophistication of an ultra-thin movement, the Manufacture Calibre 1120 QP/1, which incorporates a perpetual calendar and moon-phase display. A perpetual calendar is among the most challenging complications for watchmakers to master because the calendar that governs our lives is a complex arrangement of months of different lengths and an additional day in February every fourth year. Like a miniature mechanical computer, a perpetual calendar must automatically adjust to take these anomalies into account; it needs no manual correction until 2100 and, after that, only for the centenary years that are not leap years.

Calibre 1120 QP/1 drives the perpetual calendar functions – with the day of the week, date, month and leap year on a 48-month counter – as well as the hours, minutes and moon phase display. The movement beats at a frequency of 19,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 40-hour power reserve. Comprising 276 components, including 36 jewels, it is just 4.05 mm thick – a feat of miniaturisation that epitomises Vacheron Constantin's approach to watchmaking. The transparent sapphire caseback reveals a 22K gold oscillating weight adorned with a compass rose that symbolises the Overseas spirit of travel and exploration. The meticulous Haute Horlogerie hand-finishing work is also revealed, including Côtes de Genève, straight-graining, chamfering and circular-graining, enhancing the play of light across the movement. As a travelling companion, the versatility of the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin watch is underlined by the practicality of easily interchangeable straps that can be quickly changed without requiring any tool. From the refinement of 18K gold bracelets to the sporty-chic allure of rubber straps, the watch quickly adapts itself to multiple styles and situations. Pink gold is complemented by a choice of white or blue rubber, while the white gold is accompanied by straps in white and burgundy.