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The Vacheron Constantin Phidias collection faced challenges in timing and market reception. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, when brands like IWC and Breitling were gaining traction with larger, sportier watches such as divers and chronographs, Vacheron Constantin introduced the Phidias, a slim, elegant two-handed timepiece that leaned more toward refined dress aesthetics than rugged sports utility. As a result, the Phidias didn’t align with the broader trend for more robust watches, and the market response was muted. Recognizing this, Vacheron Constantin later launched the Overseas collection in 1996, which catered to the demand for sportier, versatile luxury watches.
However, this makes the Phidias an underrated gem today. While you might need to spend significantly more to acquire a steel quartz Overseas, the Phidias offers features like an 18k gold bezel and bracelet accents, an automatic movement, and relative rarity. The watch houses the in-house calibre 1130, with 19 jewels, adjusted to five positions, and includes a quick-set date function. The dial is subtly decorated and bears the sigma symbol (σ), signifying that all visible gold elements are made of solid gold. The Phidias is an elegant alternative to its more rugged successors, though it is best suited for smaller wrists due to its shortened bracelet, here worn by a man with a a small wrist..