A CLASSIC RETURNS

VACHERON CONSTANTIN BEGINS ITS 270TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS WITH A STAINLESS STEEL RE-EDITION OF A CLASSIC, THE 222.

- FARHAN SHAH

I'M CALLING IT NOW. The new Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 will be one of the most sought-after timepieces this year, especially with the state of the world being what it is now-plutocracy, constant war, squabbling politicians. When the present turns messy and the future subsequently becomes uncertain, the past is a sanctuary, cocooning you in its warm, knowing embrace. That's not to say that the new 222 is just a throwback. Instead, the watchmaker has updated the more important bits, such as the calibre and bracelet, while retaining the vibe, for lack of a better word, of the original.

Released in 1977 to celebrate Vacheron Constantin's 222nd (hence the name) anniversary, the original marked a departure from the watchmaking design conventions of its time. Sports watches back then were hefty pieces with noticeable bezels and busy dials. They had missions to accomplish, such as keeping time while underwater or shining in the dark. Aesthetics was secondary.