Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin is not one to rush out new products. Every launch is distinct and carefully thought through, including the introduction of a brand-new dial shade, inspired by nature, to one of its most successful and emblematic watch lines.

The Overseas, an icon of Vacheron Constantin’s portfolio, elevated classic sports watches to new heights upon its unveiling in 1996. Considered a successor of the (newly revived) 222, the model is available in steel and gold. For the recent prestigious annual international watch event Watches & Wonders, a new intense green dial shade has been added to the Overseas range, a first for the collection and breaking from the classic colour codes of past models, which appeared in black, silver, pinkish beige or a signature blue hue. A thing of beauty, the new colourway will appear on four new pink-gold references: a 42.5mm chronograph, a 41mm dual time, a 41mm self-winding with a date display and a gem-set 35mm iteration. The unique appearance of this dial has been achieved using translucent lacquer which has been set to a satin-brushed sunburst at the centre, while the flange has a velvet finish. Gold hour markers and hands are set in unique contrast to the dark dial colour with Super-LumiNova for high legibility even in the dark.

In keeping with the collection’s sporty-chic heritage, the new models flaunt an open sapphire crystal caseback and are water-resistant to 150 metres thanks to a screw-down crown. Other defining features include a 22k gold oscillating weight decorated with the Overseas compass rose motif and a tool-free interchangeable strap system. All four models come with an integrated pink-gold bracelet, which can be swapped out for a calfskin or rubber strap in the same green as the dial.

‘The Overseas watches are a collection that lends itself admirably to new colour experiments,’ Christian Selmoni, Vacheron Constantin’s style and heritage director, explains. ‘This was obvious when the brand introduced a pinkish-beige hue on certain ladies’ models, and more recently with a gold-toned dial.’ The success of these updates has led to greater experimentation with the men’s Overseas models. ‘The first tests largely confirmed what we suspected, particularly with the colour green, a shade already appearing on some of the watches in the Traditionnelle collection,’ says Selmoni. ‘We chose a deep green, exuding hints of plants and forests. A sort of call to nature that makes a perfect fit with the Overseas’ spirit of travel and exploration.’

From £56,000; vacheron-constantin.com