After 270 years, Vacheron Constantin certainly know how to get a celebratory party started. With the anniversary year upon them, they’ve wasted no time in releasing a watch that collectors have been asking for: the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 in steel, complementing the gold version from 2022. The same dimensions as the original, the same movement as the gold iteration, and the same vintage touches, but now, more casual and affordable.
The distinctive lines of the Vacheron Constantin 222 with the fluted bezel, the Maltese cross emblem in gold, and the integrated bracelet
Originally released for their 222nd anniversary in 1977, rather than go with Gerald Genta (as a number of other brands had), Vacheron Constantin commissioned a young German/Swiss designer Jorg Hysek who came up with his version of the luxury steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet. It was unlike any watch that the brand had released before. While others such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus have been in continual production for over half a century, the 222 originally had a short production cycle, although it did eventually morph into the Vacheron Constantin Overseas collection.
When Vacheron announced the Historiques 222 in yellow gold in 2022, the industry was in the right place for a vintage-inspired re-release. Despite collectors queuing for the newly released 222, there were the quizzical questions over when a steel version would be released. After all, the whole notion of the luxury steel watch with an integrated bracelet was to take a base metal and through the manufacture and finishing produce a timepiece that was valuable because of the workmanship and watchmaking.
The ultimate modern chic luxury steel watch on the wrist, the Vacheron Constantin 222 with a blue dial.
Although the modern 222 is a faithfully rendered representation of the 1970s aesthetics, it is the improvements under the dial that make a difference. What makes the new version great is the extra-thin movement that imparts an overall slim profile. There are a few changes from the original, the 37mm diameter of the case, which in today’s watch market would potentially be viewed as unisex size, to the butterfly deployant clasp on the integrated bracelet, and the display caseback.
The in-house automatic movement with the Geneva seal and the 222 insignia on the winding rotor.
Other small touches make the watch just about indistinguishable from a vintage model. It’s a bit more noticeable with a new matte blue dial, where the fluted bezel makes it stand out from other brands and the lower right-hand part of the case has Vacheron Constantin’s Maltese cross emblem in gold. The slim profile makes the watch super comfortable on the wrist. The case has 50m of water resistance. The automatic inhouse calibre 2455/2 is a Geneva hallmark movement, with a 40-hour power reserve.
Although the styling may have been drawn over half a century ago, the design is still the epitome of modern-day chic. It is a quintessential modern luxury steel watch. Available exclusively from Vacheron Constantin boutiques. £30,800.
Author: Andrew Hildreth
If you liked the Historiques 222 steel, you may like to read about other Vacheron Constantin watches, such as the Tribute to Traditional Symbols, Les Cabinotiers – The Berkley Grand Complication, and Les Cabinotiers – Armillary Tourbillon.
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