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Lot Essay
We are incredibly excited to offer this new Vacheron Constantin stainless steel Historiques 222, to the best of our knowledge, the first to be presented at auction.
One of the most eagerly anticipated releases of 2025, the new steel ‘Historiques 222’ celebrates 270 years of Vacheron Constantin. It brings the historic 1977 original 222 back to life, maintaining almost the same ultra-thin dimensions and the same iconic Jorg Hysek designed case with signature fluted bezel and Vacheron’s Maltese cross emblem in gold inset in the lower right lug. The integral steel bracelet is now updated with a triple folding clasp. This stunning new model has been brilliantly updated with a beautiful matte blue dial with white gold hour markers and hands highlighted with lime green SuperLuminova. The in-house caliber 2455⁄2 automatic movement featuring quick date setting, can be admired through the display back.
Vacheron Constantin’s 222 is one of three icons in watchmaking that defined an era. Along with Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak of 1972, and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus of 1976, both designed by Gerald Genta, the 222 was one of the pioneers of the integrated sports watch. Introduced for Vacheron’s 222nd anniversary in 1977, the 222 was designed not by Genta, but by the young Jorg Hysek, it was a complete departure in design for the company and unlike anything Vacheron had produced before. The 222 was available in steel, yellow gold and bicolour steel and gold. The automatic Jaeger LeCoultre movement caliber 1121 was regarded as one of the best automatic movements ever made and interestingly, the same ebauche was used for the Nautilus and Royal Oak. Discontinued in 1984, the original vintage 222 is a rare watch, with fewer than 500 examples in steel; around 150 examples in yellow gold, and fewer than 100 bicolour.
In 2022, 38 years after it was discontinued, Vacheron Constantin announced that in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the 222 model, the company would release a new version in solid yellow gold as part of the ‘Historiques’ Collection. In 2025, the 222’s return was completed by the much anticipated release of a new Historiques 222 in stainless steel to mark the company’s 270th anniversary.
One of the most eagerly anticipated releases of 2025, the new steel ‘Historiques 222’ celebrates 270 years of Vacheron Constantin. It brings the historic 1977 original 222 back to life, maintaining almost the same ultra-thin dimensions and the same iconic Jorg Hysek designed case with signature fluted bezel and Vacheron’s Maltese cross emblem in gold inset in the lower right lug. The integral steel bracelet is now updated with a triple folding clasp. This stunning new model has been brilliantly updated with a beautiful matte blue dial with white gold hour markers and hands highlighted with lime green SuperLuminova. The in-house caliber 2455⁄2 automatic movement featuring quick date setting, can be admired through the display back.
Vacheron Constantin’s 222 is one of three icons in watchmaking that defined an era. Along with Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak of 1972, and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus of 1976, both designed by Gerald Genta, the 222 was one of the pioneers of the integrated sports watch. Introduced for Vacheron’s 222nd anniversary in 1977, the 222 was designed not by Genta, but by the young Jorg Hysek, it was a complete departure in design for the company and unlike anything Vacheron had produced before. The 222 was available in steel, yellow gold and bicolour steel and gold. The automatic Jaeger LeCoultre movement caliber 1121 was regarded as one of the best automatic movements ever made and interestingly, the same ebauche was used for the Nautilus and Royal Oak. Discontinued in 1984, the original vintage 222 is a rare watch, with fewer than 500 examples in steel; around 150 examples in yellow gold, and fewer than 100 bicolour.
In 2022, 38 years after it was discontinued, Vacheron Constantin announced that in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the 222 model, the company would release a new version in solid yellow gold as part of the ‘Historiques’ Collection. In 2025, the 222’s return was completed by the much anticipated release of a new Historiques 222 in stainless steel to mark the company’s 270th anniversary.