Vacheron Constantin Finally Re-Released the 222 in Steel
Watch brands love nothing more than a bit of friendly one-upmanship, particularly with regards to the history of who did what first. When it comes to who’s been doing it the longest, however, there’s only one brand with a legitimate claim to the title: Vacheron Constantin. Other brands claim to have been founded earlier, but Vacheron Constantin is widely recognized as the only watchmaker that’s been operating continuously for its entire history — an important distinction. This year, to mark the brand’s 270th year in business, they’re kicking off the celebrations with release of the Historiques 222, a reboot of one of the most sought after pieces from their archive.
Vacheron Constantin Finally Re-Released the 222 in Steel
Vacheron Constantin Finally Re-Released the 222 in Steel
Vacheron Constantin Finally Re-Released the 222 in Steel
Vacheron Constantin Finally Re-Released the 222 in Steel
“By kicking off its 270th anniversary with this iconic timepiece — one that is vintage yet resolutely contemporary — the Maison is weaving past and present together,” explains Vacheron Constantin CMO Alexandra Vogler. Appropriately, the original 222 was unveiled in 1977 to mark Vacheron Constantin’s 222nd anniversary. Designed by Jorg Hysek, a prolific watch designer who created hits for TAG Heuer, Tiffany & Co., and Breguet, among others, the watch perfectly embodied the era’s shift from tradition to modernity. Like other definitive 1970s designs including the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus, and IWC Ingenieur, the 222 blended the versatility and durability of a sports watch with the expressive lines and refined details of a dress watch.
The 222’s key features were an integrated bracelet, a flat monobloc case, and a fluted bezel stamped with Vacheron’s signature Maltese cross. Despite the robustness and relatively large diameter of its “jumbo” stainless steel case, the 222 was an easily wearable 7mm thick thanks to the ultra-thin Calibre 1120, the world’s thinnest full-rotor automatic movement at the time. As with all important pieces of horological history, original examples of the 222 are both rare and expensive, making the new Historiques 222 something of a value proposition (relatively speaking) at $43,000.
While its stainless steel case is — like the original — an extremely wearable 37mm across the dial and 7.95mm thick, this re-edition boasts several important technical and ergonomic improvements. Foremost among these is an ultra-slim in-house automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve, a 22K 3N yellow gold oscillating weight, and a Geneva Seal — the ultimate mark of Swiss watchmaking finesse. It also offers the benefits of a redesigned bracelet and a sapphire case back through which one can admire Vacheron Constantin’s renowned movement finishing.
According to Christian Selmoni, Vacheron Constantin’s Style and Heritage Director, the new 222 is just the beginning of a year-long anniversary celebration that — if previous anniversaries are any indication — has several more impressive releases in store.
“Since the turn of the century, Vacheron Constantin has taken each decade anniversary as an opportunity to talk about its history and the values handed down through the centuries,” he says. “Each of these anniversaries is marked by timepieces that perfectly illustrate the values cultivated within the Manufacture since 1755.” Selmoni cites previous anniversary year releases including the 2005 Tour de l’Île, whose 16 complications set a new record for wristwatches, and the 2015 Reference 57260, whose 57 functions earned it the title of the most complicated watch ever made. That makes the new Historiques 222, among other things, one heck of an opening act.
Discover the Historiques 222 at Vacheron Constantin.
