Adventurer Cory Richards perfects Vacheron Constantin Overseas watches on his way to Mount Everest summit

Vacheron Constantin has created two limited edition Overseas Everest watches based on a prototype taken to the summit of the world’s highest mountain by American explorer and photographer Cory Richards in 2019.

There are 150 numbered Overseas Chronograph Everest watches and the same number of Dual Time pieces, both with Vacheron Constantin’s six-sided bezel notched to make it look like a cousin of the Maltese cross with which the brand is so associated.

Both watches have a lightweight titanium case with bezel, pushers and pusher guards made from the same metal.

They have dark grey dials with a grained finish lifted by bright orange chronograph, sub dials or second time zone hands.

Vacheron Constantin provides both a Cordura and rubber strap that can be swapped without tools.

The 42.5mm chronograph uses a self-winding Calibre 5200/2 manufacture movement, a twin barrel engine with 52 hour power reserve.

The Dual Time is slightly slightly smaller at 41mm, large enough for the in house 5110 DT/2 automatic movement with 60 hour power reserve.

Both have crystal case backs, exposing the movements’ 22ct pink gold Overseas oscillating weights.

“Wearing an Overseas “Everest”, I’m reminded of everything from my childhood and everything that brought me to this moment in time … the trials, the seemingly endless learning through trial and error. The failures balanced against the successes. I’m actually emotional when I stop and contemplate what this watch actually says about my life and what it can mean to others who wear it. To share such an enormous piece of me condensed into something so refined and beautiful is a humbling honor beyond the words I have,” Mr Richards says.

Overseas “Everest” limited editions are priced at £31,400 for the chronograph and £26,600 for the dual time.