There are watches that make the front lines, and there are others that should make the front lines.
Here, we have a watch from the latter category.
Released in 1977, the 222 was the quiet celebration of 222nd anniversary. The 222 was designed by watch industry legend Jorg Hysek. Hysek had moved to Geneva at a young age and quickly became enamored with watches. Hysek worked for Rolex for a number of years before creating his own design firm. Vacheron Constantin was one of his very first clients.
Vacheron enlisted Jorg’s help to develop a watch that would celebrate the 222 anniversary. Vacheron was the oldest continually operating watch house in the world, so the anniversary was a significant milestone not only for the brand itself, but for the industry as a whole.
This wasn’t to be Vacheron’s first sporty piece. That would have been the Chronomaster Royal Reference 2215, released in 1975. The 2215 was a complete failure upon its release, and was phased out within two years. The watch had a striking resemblance to a Nautilus style piece, and as a result of its rarity, has ironically become quite desirable today. Regardless, Vacheron felt an urgent need to replace the Chronomaster Royal, and felt no occasion more appropriate than the milestone year for the brand.
In 1977, The 222 was launched based on the drawings of Hysek, and the watch was completed in-house. Coming one year after the Nautilus, and several after the Royal Oak, the 222 never quite achieved the hype and renown of the former two. That said, the design is perhaps just as interesting and deserving of respect and admiration.
In 2022, Vacheron Constantin re-released the 222 as part of the coveted ‘Historiques’ collection. The 37mm yellow gold piece preserved the brilliant design, with its fluted bezel, angular case, unique bracelet, and slim wrist presence. This news brought a surge of interest in the 222. While still not as popular as the Royal Oak or Nautilus, arguably, the 222 never was trying to be those watches. In a modern context, I think the 222 has gained respect from a niche market of connoisseurs who appreciate the beauty of its magnificent design.
This example of the Historiques recreation is in beautiful condition, with its original boxes and papers dated to 2023. The Historiques resurrection of the 222 allows you to gain access to the design of the 222 with many of the modern luxuries of contemporary watchmaking, including sapphire crystals, an exhibition caseback, solid bracelet construction, and modern finishing standards.
Discover what the legacy of the 222 is all about, and grasp why Vacheron has remained alive and thriving since 1755.