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Lot Essay
Fresh to market and preserved within the family of the original owner, Christie’s is honored to offer the present stainless steel Vacheron Constantin 222 “Jumbo,” a timepiece of exceptional historical resonance, having been gifted by the last Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to the consignor’s grandfather, a distinguished physician who served the royal family.
A Note from the Verner Family
According to family history, the present Vacheron Constantin 222 was gifted to Dr. Ian Robert Verner, a highly distinguished consultant anaesthetist, by members of the Pahlavi family in recognition of professional services rendered. Dr. Verner was involved in medical work connected with the care of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, during which time the watch is understood to have been presented. The Pahlavi engraving is seen on the back of the watch. Ian travelled with Sir Ian Todd to Cairo in 1980 by private jet from London.
The watch has remained in the Verner family since that time, passing by descent to the present owner.
The Vacheron Constantin 222
Born in the midst of the 1970s quartz crisis, the reference 222 was launched to commemorate the 222nd anniversary of the Vacheron Constantin. A response to the already existing Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus, the present reference was designed by the renowned watch designer Jörg Hysek with an ultra-thin angular case, an integrated bracelet and a three-part case with an ingenious screw-down serrated bezel. Radically diverging from the design notions of the brand, the wristwatch paved the way for the future sports timepieces of the manufacture. Distinct and bold, the bottom right of the case features an applied gold Vacheron Constantin 'Maltese' Cross, a key design feature of the timepiece.
The 222 was manufactured in stainless steel, steel and gold, and full gold. The model was produced for only seven years with an estimated total of only 700 timepieces across all metal and dial combinations with the steel production consisting of approximately 500 examples, such as seen in the present lot.
The last Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, reigned from 1941 to 1979 and is remembered for his ambitious vision to modernize and elevate the nation on the global stage. He ascended the throne during World War II, after the Allied forces occupied Iran to secure supply routes and oil, a pivotal moment that shaped both his early rule and Iran’s strategic importance. Over the course of his reign, he implemented the “White Revolution,” a series of sweeping reforms aimed at modernizing the economy, expanding education, promoting industrialization, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the rights of women. While his government exercised strong centralized authority, his leadership positioned Iran as a rapidly developing and internationally prominent nation. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s legacy reflects an era of transformation, progress, and cultural refinement in 20th-century Iran.
A Note from the Verner Family
According to family history, the present Vacheron Constantin 222 was gifted to Dr. Ian Robert Verner, a highly distinguished consultant anaesthetist, by members of the Pahlavi family in recognition of professional services rendered. Dr. Verner was involved in medical work connected with the care of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, during which time the watch is understood to have been presented. The Pahlavi engraving is seen on the back of the watch. Ian travelled with Sir Ian Todd to Cairo in 1980 by private jet from London.
The watch has remained in the Verner family since that time, passing by descent to the present owner.
The Vacheron Constantin 222
Born in the midst of the 1970s quartz crisis, the reference 222 was launched to commemorate the 222nd anniversary of the Vacheron Constantin. A response to the already existing Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus, the present reference was designed by the renowned watch designer Jörg Hysek with an ultra-thin angular case, an integrated bracelet and a three-part case with an ingenious screw-down serrated bezel. Radically diverging from the design notions of the brand, the wristwatch paved the way for the future sports timepieces of the manufacture. Distinct and bold, the bottom right of the case features an applied gold Vacheron Constantin 'Maltese' Cross, a key design feature of the timepiece.
The 222 was manufactured in stainless steel, steel and gold, and full gold. The model was produced for only seven years with an estimated total of only 700 timepieces across all metal and dial combinations with the steel production consisting of approximately 500 examples, such as seen in the present lot.
The last Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, reigned from 1941 to 1979 and is remembered for his ambitious vision to modernize and elevate the nation on the global stage. He ascended the throne during World War II, after the Allied forces occupied Iran to secure supply routes and oil, a pivotal moment that shaped both his early rule and Iran’s strategic importance. Over the course of his reign, he implemented the “White Revolution,” a series of sweeping reforms aimed at modernizing the economy, expanding education, promoting industrialization, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the rights of women. While his government exercised strong centralized authority, his leadership positioned Iran as a rapidly developing and internationally prominent nation. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s legacy reflects an era of transformation, progress, and cultural refinement in 20th-century Iran.