Return Of An Icon: Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222

Vacheron Constantin Artistic Director Christian Selmoni explains to Augustman about how the maison is not just going to turn the Les Historiques 222 into a cynical money grab being the only brand with two highly desired integrated bracelet sports watches

- Jonathan Ho

LES HISTORIQUES 222 PRICE + SPECS

Case 37mm yellow gold with 50 metres of water resistance

Movement Automatic calibre 2455/2 with 40 hours of power reserve

Price On Application

PATIENT SELF-CONTROL AND RESTRAINT, these are some of the qualities that currently describe Vacheron Constantin. Indeed, being the only watchmaking maison with two highly desirable integrated bracelet sports watches in their collection, it would be a license to print money given how remarkably competitive this segment currently is. The Overseas collection in all its forms has been sold out, even the most expensive complication models have waitlists. The reintroduction of the Ref. 222 at Watches & Wonders 2022 as a series production solid gold Historiques 222 is a sign of incredible restraint and forbearance.

Return Of An Icon: Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 Launched in 1977 for the 222nd anniversary of the brand; the 222, designed by a young Jörg Hysek, was one of a trio of emblematic luxury sports watches. Sitting alongside the Royal Oak and Nautilus, the Ref. 222 joined its pioneering brothers with the Calibre 1120, the very same ultra-thin Jaeger-LeCoultre 920 mechanism that was used in both the Nautilus and the Royal Oak. It is historical fact that Vacheron and JLC merged in 1938 and so birthed in the 70s, the 222 can claim to be the first truly manufacture luxury sports watch.