Vacheron Constantin 222

There are watches that make headlines, and there are others that should make headlines. 

Here, we have a watch from the latter category. 

Released in 1977, the 222 was the quiet celebration of Vacheron Constantin’s 222nd anniversary. Its designer, Jorg Hysek, had moved to Geneva at a young age and quickly became enamored with watches. Hysek worked for Rolex for a number of years before creating his own design firm, and Vacheron Constantin was one of his very first clients. 

Debuting one year after the Patek Philippe Nautilus and five after the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the 222 never quite achieved the hype and renown of the former two. That being said, its design is just as interesting as those two vaunted models and is deserving of respect and admiration. 

In 2022, Vacheron Constantin re-released the 222 as part of the coveted ‘Historiques’ collection. The 37mm yellow gold piece preserved the brilliant design, maintaining the fluted bezel, angular case, unique bracelet, and slim wrist presence in a near one-for-one remake. This news brought with it a surge of interest in the original 222. 

Speaking of the original 222, feast your eyes on this beauty from the 1980s: A smaller ladies’ model, it measures 34mm in measures 34mm in 18K yellow gold and features a diamond-set bezel, a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, and a matte-gold dial with a diamond-set minute track, a date window at 3 o’clock, and a matching yellow gold dauphine handset. Powered by a self-winding movement, it comes paired to a magnificent integrated yellow gold bracelet with diamond-set center links.

Accompanied by an extract from Vacheron Constantin’s archives, this incredible find is not only incredibly beautiful, but highly rare, to boot. One of the world’s first luxury sports watch designs, it holds up beautifully after nearly 50 years, ready to bring a smile to its new owner’s face.

Few watchmakers can claim a lineage as long or as rich as that of Vacheron Constantin.
Established in 1755, the manufacture soon had a reputation for the elegance of its products, which included pocket watches with complicated movements and engine-turned dials. Even today, these are marks of a watchmaker’s expertise due to the skill and precision involved in crafting them. For Vacheron Constantin to have achieved such a feat in the eighteenth century is nothing short of remarkable.

This expertise carried the firm through the 19th century, earning it gold medals at National Exhibitions and blazing trails in the area of anti-magnetic timepieces. The 20th century saw further achievements, such as the opening of its boutique on the Quai de L’Ile in Geneva, where it still resides today.

Even through the Depression and the Second World War, when many watch companies were forced to band together with competitors or else face closure, the manufacture continued to thrive. Whether via its vintage-inspired Historiques collection or its adventurous Overseas line, modern Vacheron Constantin is a horological force to be reckoned with.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.