Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
LHOOQ

Vacheron Constantin Overseas "Deep Stream" : Review

Recommended Posts

LHOOQ

i-XxJzCCf-X3.jpg

 

Here's a rep that snuck up on a lot of people--including me: The Vacheron Constantin Overseas "Deep Stream".

 

I've long been a fan of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas, but felt I'd missed the boat by not buying the old rep based on the first-generation model of 1996. You've probably seen it before: It's the one with Arabic numerals circling the dial, date at 3, and a lovely caseback that wouldn't look out of place on a bottle of microbrew. I also seem to remember some sellers carrying a 1st-gen Overseas rep with stick markers, though I don't recall any reviews of one. In any case, it was a remarkable rep that disappeared too soon, and was elevated to legendary status.

 

Fast forward several years and there were at least two reps based on VC's 2004 update of the Overseas. This revamp bumped the diameter up to 42mm, and restyled the mid-case and bracelet to echo the brand's Maltese Cross logo. The dials were cleaned up: Numerals and sticks on a white or black guilloché background, date at 4:30, and a sloping minute track on the rehaut. The ideal build would involve taking the Cross appliance from one factory's dial and transplanting it onto the other factory's more accurate rep. I found it to be too much work and expense for a rep that didn't really grab hold of me.

 

In 2009, VC refreshed the Overseas with a titanium bezel, an anthracite dial (read: gray sunburst), and an optional, integrated gray crocodile strap. For nebulous reasons, this model was codenamed or nicknamed "Deep Stream", which sounds more like a new Intel chipset than anything to do with haute horlogerie. But it's a good, catchy name that shows a bit more imagination than something like "Overseas Gray Themes".

 

The first time I saw a rep of the Deep Stream was when dylan put his own example up for sale a few months ago. None of the major sellers had listed this rep before, so I had no way of researching its quality or comparing its price. But I missed it. I kicked myself for weeks afterward, and it seems I wasn't alone. Others were ringing their favorite dealers to see if there were more Deep Streams in China. There were.

 

This one came from Tony at Asian7750.com (I don't think he's a trusted dealer here, so cave canem, as the dimmer Romans might say). I had never bought anything from Tony before, but others had confirmed that he had these in stock. This transaction was trouble-free: Good communications, fast shipment, would use again. For a small fee (+15%), I also ordered the gray "croc" strap and deployant, both of which you can see below.

 

Let's go to the pictures!

 

i-6S53FGV-X3.jpg

 

The Deep Stream is a beautiful rep with a tremendous amount of presence on the wrist. Switching from bracelet to croc tones down the flash considerably, but looks very impressive, nonetheless. It's a credible, subtle alternative to a ROO or HBB, both of which are too large for my 6.5" wrist, anyway.

 

However, I hesitate to call this a super-rep. There's plenty of room for improvement when it comes to accuracy to the gen, though I have little problem with this rep in that respect. Where I am a bit disappointed is in the fit and finish, which aren't up to the standards we've come to expect in recent reps (e.g. Panerais in 2011). In many ways, this VCO represents the Old School of rep construction and compromised expectations.

 

 

i-P2ZRNLx-X3.jpgi-LmPTBhn-X3.jpg

 

Here we see a bit of the good and bad. On the left: The jagged, blasted titanium bezel contrasts nicely with the straight-brushed surface. The slab sides of the steel mid-case are polished and well-chamfered. But look at the block under the crown: What's with the slanted brushing? The undersized cross on the crown is another minor concern.

 

On the right is the single ugliest part of this rep: the caseback. Once beautifully engraved on the 37mm rep, the Amerigo Vespucci is now a ghost ship sailing through the murk. Text and numbers are superficially etched, and what you can't see at the bottom is the mis-spelled "ANTIMACNETIC". Also notice the mangled heads of the caseback screws. (They came that way.) These screws are made of very soft steel, so make sure you use the drivers with the appropriate tips.

 

 

i-kxv4rJh-X3.jpg

 

The gray strap is stiff, and a pain in the ass to mount onto the head. You have to drive four long screws into a solid piece of plastic wedged inside the lug-tips of the strap. I ended up twirling a drill bit between my fingers to sink some guide holes. The strap does look good and remarkably credible, as does the half-cross clasp. Its geometry is best suited to larger wrists, though.

 

 

i-J52vNsb-X3.jpg

 

Here are some examples of what I mean by poor fit and finish, going clockwise from the upper-left:

  • Note the ragged line between the central portion of the mid-case, and the lugs.
  • Close-up of the inside of the bracelet's clasp. Those are sharp edges and pointy corners on the pushbuttons, and they wear painfully on my wrist. I had my watchsmith grind these smooth.
  • Mind the gap between the lugs and the rest of the mid-case, and the misaligned bevel.
  • More rough edges that show up very clearly under certain lights. I fixed the worst cases with an emery board.

 

i-62tQW3f-X3.jpg

 

Bog-standard Asian ETA, but guess what? It's lost 10 seconds in the last three days, making it one of the most accurate watches I own--rep or gen. I'm not sure how the gen is constructed, but do note the absence of any seals. (The caseback is similarly gasket-free.) Wet the VCO at your peril.

 

 

i-cscxnvv-X3.jpgi-8PWj8bj-X3.jpg

 

Despite its 42mm size, the VCO wears like a smaller watch. It has a low center of gravity with a slim, low case that has a big contact patch on my wrist. With the most painful points of the clasp removed, the bracelet is one of the most comfortable I own.

 

I just noticed the tiny fibers sticking out from the side of the bezel. The downside of this design is that all the sharp corners are fuzz magnets, but it's only obvious in macro photographs.

 

 

i-XDL6jvc-X3.jpg

 

The smart-looking and now-comfortable butterfly clasp. There's a half-link provided to aid in fitting, and every link of the bracelet can be unscrewed.

 

 

i-rBVWzns-X3.jpgi-dJ95xKc-X3.jpg

 

The dial is absolutely stunning. The printing doesn't quite hold up at this level of magnification, but it looks great on the wrist. The framed date window is the biggest deviation from the gen, but to the rep factory's credit, it looks good and makes sense.

 

 

i-j4RpDc9-X3.jpg

 

That's more like it! Back away by even a few inches and the illusion of a $10,000 watch starts to materialize.

 

 

i-BHJkRVJ-X3.jpg

 

I do wish that the weaknesses I listed would be addressed, and I would definitely pony up for a V2 in a heartbeat. But this is an excellent rep as it is, and has a bigger "Wow!" factor than many of my other watches.

 

The thing to remember about this VCO rep is not to fixate on the details. This may run counter to many of our instincts as rep collectors, but do try to apprehend the overall look of the watch, instead. Let flash and beauty overwhelm the urge to pick nits that only you will notice. This is one great-looking watch!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
KeNnY

WOW Awesome ! :) thanks mate. good read and super photos

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Nisv

Allright, thanks for sharing :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Cyril_Clunge

Thank you. Been on my list since I first saw yours on the wrist check thread.

 

Excuse me while I go and email Mary...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
part_timer

I am a fan of this watch. Nice review, thanks! B)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
str8

Very nice write-up on the beauty of the watch ... been eyeing it for awhile but yet to pull the trigger. Now u just fuelled it further ... thanks mate :)

 

ps. Think Mary has this beauty????

Edited by str8

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
LHOOQ

Thanks, guys! Do give Mary a try. She's my usual seller, and I feel a little shitty cheating on her with someone named Tony. I'm totally not into dudes!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
greg_r

Very pretty watch indeed... Always loved the VCO. Enjoy! :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Mazz

Mate asmusualmyour pictures are simply amazing.

 

You could make poop on a stick look great

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Mazz

I was trying to say as usual

 

But I can't get the edit to work

:facepalm:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Del

Superb review mate! :clap:

 

I love your photos and all of your very comprehensive observations - thanks for posting. :thumbsup2:

 

Oh, and the watch is a beauty too - I'm very tempted by it thanks to your review. ;)

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
solkryssare

Way too much beauty for me to comprehend right now.......I'll be back for a V2 comment later on.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
nuker

These pics are damn good, fella!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
BigBuys

This has been one of my favorites since my late 1990s introduction to the design. I have the RG version and while it is drop dead gorgeous, it just does not work on my arm. I think that I need about 2mm larger to look good for me.

 

I wish that I could make photography work for me like it does for you. My pics look like student intro shots and yours could fit in an art museum!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Creechin

I like the leather....... Very nice read

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
powderfreak

That's the sweetest VC I have seen so far... :thumbsup:

Very nice pictures, too! Did you bother to put a gasket between the caseback and the back?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
cpsurfer

Added to my list...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
mianos

Thanks for an interesting review. It sure looks like a nice watch even with the flaws.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Wiz

Pure porn mate, your pics are so nice I thought it was a gen. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Luthier

Great watch and fantastic, very informative review!!!

Love the watch, have chrono version, but would like to get non-chrono one, just I'm not a fan of titanium. Does it exist in SS?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
LHOOQ
Did you bother to put a gasket between the caseback and the back?

Unfortunately not. I haven't got one that fits and I'm not sure where one would be effective. I'm also wary about putting any stress on those flimsy caseback screws!

 

Luthier: As far as I know, this is the only rep available of the '09 VCO. Then again, I didn't even know about it until a few months ago, so wo knows what's out there?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Gazillionaire

Great review and damn your photos are good! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
mbjoer

Very pretty watch. I really like the looks of it.

 

However I can't get over the basic design not having any gaskets. A watch like this is a sports watch and you should at least be able to swim with it.

Mostly that is possible with sports watches, but I have come across the same with the Porche World Timer and the Cartier Pasha Seatimer Chrono as well.

 

The good news is that the strap is deemed acceptable. In the rep-world that is a rare occurance. And on a strap I can forgive not to be able to swim with it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Dendo

Thanks mate - nice review.

 

I love the strap and the look of the dial and the overall look of the watch. But there are a lot of flaws related to the poor finishing. Pity.

 

Who knows, there may be a V2.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
conx

Thanks for the review - I like a lot - another to add to the ever lengthening "wanted" list !

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

×