2022 saw the reissue of an all-gold limited edition of Vacheron Constantin’s legendary Historiques 222.
The watch, which was arguably the biggest story at Watches and Wonders Geneva that year, was a revival of an iconic reference from 1977 designed by Jorg Hysek.
Mr Hysek, who was just 24-years-of-age at the time, was commissioned to create a watch for Vacheron that would compete with hot luxury sports watches designed by Gerald Genta: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus.
Today, the 222 is re-entering Vacheron Constantin’s core collection in a hotly-anticipated steel-on-steel piece.
Vacheron Constantin is so confident in the desirability of the watch, it has attached a price tag of $32,000+tax, less than the $41,000 commanded for a steel Patek Philippe Cubitus, but certainly punchy.
The first core collection 222 comes in the same 37mm case size as the original and golden reissue of 2022, and is powered by the automatic in-house Calibre 2355/2.
The timepiece has a monobloc tonneau shape with details like a fluted bezel and a sapphire glass caseback through which you can admire the self-winding caliber. The movement offers enhanced precision and has a 40-hour power reserve.
Fitted with an integrated bracelet, its case features a functional construction with a flat table, with a prominent fluted bezel and stamped with a signature Maltese cross at 5 o’clock.
The caseback of the watch also bears a signature representing Vacheron Constantin’s 270th anniversary.
